Tottenham boss Thomas Frank expressed cautious optimism over Dominic Solanke’s ankle after the striker’s two-goal heroics helped Spurs recover from a 2-0 half-time deficit to draw 2-2 with Manchester City on Sunday.
Solanke, who scored both goals in the second half, struggled visibly late in the match, prompting concerns over his fitness after a lengthy injury layoff.
“He clearly struggled to run. He knew it, and fitness-wise he’s not where he should be,” Frank admitted.
“We were, in a way, a little bit forced to play him. But he was excellent—four goals in four games, and he’s only at 70-80% sharpness. Imagine City without Haaland for six months; we’ve been hard-hit with injuries. Dom’s contribution was massive.”
Solanke’s first goal came under some physical contact, which Frank suggested was in a “grey area,” but praised the striker for staying composed.
The second goal, he revealed, had been practised in training and demonstrated Spurs’ attention to detail in set-piece situations.
“Very happy it finally dropped to us, which I think was more than fair. And the second one was something we trained yesterday, so it went well,” Frank said.
The draw salvaged a crucial point for Tottenham against a City side that has dominated the Premier League over the last seven to eight years. Frank highlighted the significance of the team’s second-half response and their growing resilience in high-pressure situations.
“I think I’m extremely happy we finally got a point out of a big second half. It felt like a big point, of course, against the best team in the Premier League. This team’s ability to respond to setbacks is improving game by game,” he said.
Solanke’s brace not only earned Tottenham a share of the spoils at the Etihad but also reinforced his status as a key figure in Frank’s side, with both manager and fans hoping the ankle injury will not hamper his promising run of form.
