Tottenham Hotspur shrugged off their domestic gloom with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund that took the heat off head coach Thomas Frank and put them within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday.
First-half goals by captain Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke gave Tottenham control against a desperately disappointing Dortmund side who played three-quarters of the match with 10 men after Daniel Svensson's red card.
Tottenham have won just twice in 11 Premier League matches at their home stadium this season – a run that has left Frank fighting for his job. But in Europe they have been impeccable in north London, winning all four of their Champions League games.
The latest one lifted them into provisional fourth place in the table ahead of Wednesday's games, meaning another win away to Eintracht Frankfurt next week should seal a top-eight spot and a place in the last 16.
Another home win in the Champions League! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XJiZ864xWn
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 20, 2026
Dortmund, who began the night level on 11 points with Tottenham but ahead on goal difference, face Inter Milan in their last game and are now likely to have to take their chances in the playoffs.
When Tottenham suffered a last-gasp defeat by London rivals West Ham United at the weekend the mood turned toxic with home fans mocking Frank with chants of 'sacked in the morning'.
Speculation was rife that the Dane would not even be in charge for the visit of Dortmund.
He came out fighting in his pre-match press conference though and despite having only 11 senior outfield players available, his team responded against the Bundesliga side.
Such was the ease with which Tottenham brushed aside Dortmund, Frank may well wish he could face European opposition every week, rather than the likes of Bournemouth, Fulham and West Ham who have caused him such pain.
The only defeat they have suffered in their seven Champions League games is a 5-3 loss at holders Paris St Germain.
Tottenham have now won all five of their Champions League matches against Dortmund, including both legs of the last-16 tie in 2019 when they went on to reach the final.
Another run like that is unlikely, but then again Tottenham won the Europa League last season under previous manager Ange Postecoglou despite finishing 17th in the Premier League.
Frank's patched-up side made a confident start on Tuesday and went ahead in the 14th minute.
Wilson Odobert swung and missed an attempted volley from a clearance but he made amends with a low ball into the area that Romero met with a sharp close-range finish.
Starting fast ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/lfpJqMuoIU
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 20, 2026
Dortmund's support was magnificent but their team were limp and when Svensson clumsily left his studs in Odobert's shin and referee Glenn Nyberg was advised to watch a VAR replay, the Swede predictably brandished the red card to his compatriot.
Solanke was given his first start since May following an ankle operation and he marked his first Champions League appearance since the 2017-18 season with a goal.
It was not a classic, but he did not care as he bundled in Odobert's low cross from point-blank range, the ball bouncing off both his legs before creeping over the line.
First goal of the season for Dom 😄 pic.twitter.com/WXGl1NnjSL
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 20, 2026
Tottenham dropped off in the second half but could still have extended their lead while home keeper Guglielmo Vicario was called into serious action only late on to tip over a Nico Schlotterbeck header.