Thomas Frank revealed he was “almost emotional” after Mathys Tel scored his first goal of the season for Tottenham.
The Frenchman opened the scoring with a deflected strike at Elland Road, as Spurs went on to beat Leeds 2-1 and end their two-year wait for victory in a match before an international break.
Tel led the line in only his second Premier League start of the season and produced his best performance to date. A looping header hit the bar just before half-time, while he played Xavi Simons in behind with a lovely pass after the break.
It has been a largely frustrating couple of months for Tel, who was left out of Spurs’ squad for the league phase of the Champions League.
The character he's shown from a young man just really impressed me from day one
However, after Tel broke his goalscoring duck, Frank was full of praise for the 20-year-old, having pulled him in front of the away fans to soak in the ovation on the pitch.
"So, so almost emotional about him,” Frank said.
“So happy for him. I think the character he's shown from a young man just really impressed me from day one. But of course after a setback, not coming in the Champions League squad, not being an established player.
“Maybe playing a good position where I really can see him play and I think he's taking steps. Also been picked a little bit for the left. So just keep training well, which he does. He trains well every day.
"Stay at home, when we the whole team went to Bodo, he trained well. Just ready today.”
Tel has showed glimpses of his potential this season without producing his best form. He got into several good positions against Doncaster in the Carabao Cup, but on more than one occasion swung at thin air in the box.
Frank revealed that his assistant Justin Cochrane and Spurs’ individual development coach Cameron Campbell have been working closely with Tel to make him more effective in front of goal.
“And also I think a big praise to Cameron and Justin to work with Mathys,” Frank said.
“And the way we worked with him from a fine game against West Ham as a striker to a better game against Doncaster, where he arrives more in the right areas. I know he could have scored two goals but as I say he arrives there, because we trained and we showed clips.
“To the next level today, where I think he worked hard, he scored a good goal. I know there was a little deflection, but the connection was good. He has a header, other good situations. So very, very pleased."
