The chance for the hat-trick vanished but the stadium rose in a roar to acclaim Richarlison as Thomas Frank called an end to his shift with the game won, and his delicate fitness record in mind.
There were 72 minutes on the clock, Tottenham led 3-0 and the Brazilian had scored two of them.
His first was the confident finish of a centre forward with his eye in. Swept in as it skipped up from the turf at pace. His second was simply sensational. A leap, a twist in midair and scissor kick.
It flew past Martin Dubravka in the Burnley goal and drew gasps of admiration from the crowd which became a little louder each time it was replayed on the big screens.
Both goals came from wonderful crosses by Mohammed Kudus, the big-money summer signing who sparkled on the right wing, and there was plenty more for Frank to savour about his first Premier League game as Spurs boss.
Three points and a clean sheet. Teenagers Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray back in the team and looking in fine shape. Last season’s top scorer Brennan Johnson back in the goals and Pape Matar Sarr continuing to shine as the dynamo at the heart of the team.
Tottenham’s rout of Burnley belonged to Richarlison as he popped up with two great goals
The Brazilian scored a remarkable overhead kick and showed what he can do when fully fit
Last season’s top scorer also got in on the act to make it the perfect Premier League opener
But this victory belonged to Richarlison, a big-money signing from another summer who has never quite lived up to the billing in three years at the club.
It is not entirely his own fault. There have been a maddening series of injuries and the mental strain of this combined with the off-field problems relating to business relationships in his native Brazil.
‘Exceptional,’ was the summary of boss Frank, who put a consoling arm around his two-goal hero after replacing him with Dominic Solanke. ‘I just said to him, very well done, I liked his performance and his work rate and we’re looking after him.’
Perhaps this is Richarlison’s time. At 28, he has a fresh start under a head coach who might have the understanding to coax him through difficult times. And one who will truly relish his physical qualities and aerial presence.
Burnley coped well with Tottenham’s set plays, although Frank’s selection was not as physically imposing as it was in the Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain. Up front, though Richarlison dominated against their three strong centre halves.
Besides the goals, he held up the ball to great effect, helping Spurs up the pitch and linking passes with his back to goal. Johnson’s strike, Tottenham’s third was a perfect example.
Richarlison battled to protect possession, resisting the challenge from behind, refusing to collapse in search of a free kick, and nursed a pass into the path of Sarr, on the move as always, charging forward before releasing Johnson, last season’s top scorer, to get off the mark again.
This has not always been Richarlison’s strength. Yes, he has spectacular goals in his locker. This scissor-kick volley, ‘world-class’ according to Burnley boss Scott Parker, revived memories of one he scored on the spin for Brazil against Serbia in the World Cup finals in Qatar in 2022.
Thomas Frank will be delighted with what he saw across the pitch in his first game at home
Teenagers Lucas Bergvall (left) and Archie Gray (right) were back in the team and on form
Keeping Richarlison fit is the key – injuries were a major problem for the Brazilian last season
Equally, there are times when he can be untidy. When his control is flawed, and he can be hard on himself when form and fitness waver. Confidence can drain away quickly but fans here and at his previous club Everton, where he remains popular, have never doubted his endeavour and desire to succeed.
When it all comes together, he has the air of a complete centre forward. If only it came together more often.
Spurs were keen to cash in on him last summer. There was interest from Saudi Arabia and they wanted the cash to rebuild but Richarlison stuck to his guns. He did not want to leave. It was the same story this summer. He is determined to prove his worth at a Big Six club and leaving Tottenham would be the end of that ambition.
He finished last season well, with a key role off the left in the Europa League triumph, and yet there would have been few tears shed among fans had he been sold and the money reinvested.
Spurs were linked to Yoane Wissa, who is on his way out of Brentford where he excelled under Frank but looks most likely bound for Newcastle.
Richarlison though can fulfil a similar role. He is versatile enough to play in other positions and share the burden with Solanke, who missed most of the pre-season schedule with an ankle injury.
But only if he stays fit. Obvious but true. This has been the problem in the past and Frank has promised to proceed carefully with this in mind.
‘The dream scenario is to have two good strikers,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘Hopefully we are playing 60-plus games this season. If we do that we have done something right. It is only one game.’
