Tottenham, who have improved, were unable to hold on to a two-goal lead against European champions PSG and lost 5-3 in the Champions League.
With a header that single-handedly outscored Spurs’ xG at the Emirates, Richarlison scored his third goal of the game to give Thomas Frank’s side the lead, while Randall Kolo Muani scored against his parent club to give the visitors the lead twice at the Parc des Princes.
But Vicinha’s hat-trick galvanized Luis Enrique’s side to change their style and lead to even more dire results for Spurs, who are now further removed from the top eight at league stage.
Richarlison scored the opening goal to give Spurs their first of two leads on the night.
Frank was under pressure to produce a performance similar to his agonizingly close victory against the Parisians in the UEFA Super Cup in August, especially after a dismal performance in the North London derby in which he posted a season-low xG of 0.07.
After a tough defensive start, the team were rewarded when Jed Spence outfoxed Kolo Muani at the back post and the striker headed home Richarlison to score from close range.
Vicinha leveled the score with the first of two stunners before the break, but Kolo Muani capitalized on a set-piece and volleyed home to restore Spurs’ lead.
Vicinha equalized twice with two brilliant goals for PSG
However, Spurs succumbed to the pressure and turned the game around by scoring three goals in 11 minutes. Vicinha equalized with another great solo goal, and Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho took control of the game after taking the blame for some defensive sloppiness.
Kolo Muani’s brilliant second goal halved the gap, but just five minutes later Vicinha completed his hat-trick to ensure Paris remained on points.
Randall Kolo Muani scores twice against his parent club
There was further drama towards the end, with substitute Lucas Hernandez shown a red card by VAR after elbowing Xavi Simon in the face, but ultimately it did not affect the result.
PSG’s victory means they are in second place in the Champions League with four wins from five matches, while Tottenham have fallen to 16th place, just two points out of the top eight.
Fabian Ruiz gave PSG their first lead of the night.
‘Spurs showed soul and character’, insists Frank
Thomas Frank believes Spurs side showed ‘soul and character’ in defeat against PSG
Despite the result, Tottenham manager Frank believed his team showed promise after the loss to Arsenal.
He told TNT Sports: “I’m very happy with the performance, I liked the rebound from the previous game.
“More than that, I was very happy with the identity of the team, the aggression, the courage, the running. Our two strikers, Archie Gray and Lukas Bergvall, who scored three goals, were really good.”
“But if you want it here, you can’t concede two goals like we did and Vicinha is the best midfielder in the world – he will win the next Ballon d’Or.”
Richarlison makes a disciplined start to give Tottenham the lead.
“It was two completely different games. I saw more of what I wanted. We competed today. I saw a team with soul and character.”
Gray: ‘We can bring some positives into the game against Fulham’
Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray told TNT Sports:
“Tonight we played against a top opponent, who are not only the best team in Europe at the moment, but also the champions of Europe.
“There were some good moments for us to take into the game against Fulham.
“We scored some goals, so we can definitely take it. Of course there are some things we can work on, but like I said, they’re a top, top team and there’s always going to be moments where you suffer a little bit against those teams. I think it’s one thing just to learn how to suffer a little bit easier for us.”
“In every aspect of the game, they continue to play relentlessly and don’t stop what they’re doing.
“Obviously they are good on an individual level, especially when you see Dembele coming off the bench and Gonzalo Ramos coming off the bench. They are a top team and there are things we can learn from this game.”
