Thomas Partey on losing side as Tottenham win on Champions League return

By George Sessions, PA

Luiz Junior’s own goal gifted Tottenham a 1-0 home victory over Villarreal on a night when Thomas Partey played before an appearance in court for rape and sexual assault charges.

Thomas Frank’s Spurs claimed three points on their Champions League return after the visiting goalkeeper spilled Lucas Bergvall’s fourth-minute cross in comical fashion, but it was Villarreal team-mate Partey who later took centre stage.

The former Arsenal midfielder was introduced with 12 minutes left to loud boos a month on from his appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court on August 5 – where he was charged with five counts of rape as well as a charge of sexual assault.

The lawyer for Partey, Jenny Wiltshire, has previously said he “denies all the charges against him” and he is due in court again on Wednesday morning – a matter of hours after this Champions League tie.

In the end Partey had no decisive say on the fixture as Spurs held on for a fourth victory under Frank despite only one shot on target in front of a low crowd of 54,755.

Tottenham were back in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since a 0-0 draw at home to AC Milan in March, 2023 and this time only needed four minutes to score after a 932-day wait.

It was a moment to forget for Luiz Junior, who claimed Bergvall’s cross ahead of Richarlison but allowed the ball to spill out of his grasp and across the line in agonisingly slow fashion.

Spurs boss Frank – in his maiden Champions League fixture – almost turned away before he realised that he could celebrate.