Thomas Frank survives on unlikely night of Lilywhite joy

With his side 3-0 down having capitulated early, Antonio Conte took a big risk. Chelsea's overlord, Roman Abramovich, never developed a reputation for being the most patient with his managers, so had Conte's tactical gamble failed to pay off, the Italian's reign in west London may have been brief.

Conte never felt the 4-3-3 was ideal for the group of the players at his disposal, and his team's dire start away at Arsenal six league games into his tenure sparked the switch that would ultimately lead to Chelsea's fifth and most recent Premier League title triumph.

Marcos Alonso replaced Césc Fabregas to create a 3-4-2-1, and Chelsea would become the first side to win the English top-flight using a three-at-the-back formation since Everton in 1962/63. Mauricio Pochettino's finest Lilywhite outfit finished as runners-up.

Now, I'm not making a direct comparison between Thomas Frank and Conte's Emirates epiphany, but could Tuesday night's triumph, with his back against the wall and the last bit of hope seemingly evaporating at the weekend, serve as the springboard that the Dane's deeply unpopular tenure desperately needed?

Terrific Tottenham continue to thrive on European nights

Borussia Dortmund prepared for their trip to north London on the back of just one defeat in their previous 12. They're second in the Bundesliga, trailing only a majestic Bayern Munich side, and the joint-highest scorers in the league phase through six games. Still, few BVB supporters headed into Tuesday's bout with the utmost confidence.

See, Dortmund certainly have a 'Spursy' element to them. We're cut from the same cloth in many ways. Knowing the opposition's manager is on the brink, and the squad he's leading only has 11 fit senior outfielders available just doesn't inspire arrogance. Inhibition creeps to the surface. Worst-case scenarios are mapped out. The potential comfortable success isn't believed.

And boy were they bad. As bad as they could've been.

Instead of seizing upon and facilitating a toxic environment in N17, Niko Kovać's side were strongly culpable in ensuring Frank's Lilywhites purred. The Dane deserves credit. The current situation is unlike one he's ever encountered in management, but's he put on a brave face amid the scrutiny, and Tuesday's performance may bank him some extra credit. It can be no one-off, though.

With limited resources, Frank's hand was forced. Lucas Bergvall reprised his preferred deeper midfield role, while Destiny Udogie was instructed to form a back three when Spurs had possession—hence the Conte link in the introduction. Djed Spence and Pedro Porro functioned like marauding wing-backs, although Spurs were in a rigid 4-4-2 out of possession.

The shape crucified Dortmund in wide areas, with Spence dominating Pedro Porro-lite Yan Couto and Porro himself combining effectively with Wilson Odobert, who teed up both first-half goals.

Daniel Svensson was harshly dismissed early on, exacerbating Dortmund's woes in wide areas, but Spurs' goal and man advantage at the time was just reward for Tottenham's intensity, vigour and sudden cohesiveness in possession. Xavi Simons, who maintained his 100% record against BVB, led the charge in all phases and produced his best performance in Lilywhite to date.

The concept of 'space' returns on European nights, and Xavi's best work has arrived under the lights. He was superb here, benefitting from the return of a centre-forward who can make the ball stick and bring him into play. Dominic Solanke just makes things that little bit easier for this team, and Frank's unpopular move to bring him back into the squad over Mathys Tel was certainly vindicated.

On another night, the second-half downpour would've been a fitting environment for Frank's miserable reign to come to an end, but Spurs were instead able to see out their 2-0 lead against the ten men with relative comfort.

Of course, doubts remain over Frank's long-term viability. We're a fickle bunch, but we can't be suckered into believing everything is okay again. Nevertheless, for one night during the bleak, miserable mid-winter, there was joy. Our recent run suggests such nights shouldn't be taken for granted.