Wednesday briefing: Thomas Frank gets a boost but more misery for Pep Guardiola

Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund to boost hopes of a top-eight Champions League finish and ease the pressure on under-fire manager Thomas Frank.

Arsenal’s 100 per cent record was maintained at Inter Milan, but there was more misery for Manchester City.

Elsewhere, Liverpool boss Arne Slot hinted Mohamed Salah could start at Marseille on his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Frank eases Spurs pressure

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham reign received a much-needed boost as 10-man Borussia Dortmund were beaten 2-0.

Frank’s seven-month tenure looked close to being over after they lost at home to West Ham on Saturday to make it eight defeats in 14 matches.

But Cristian Romero put them ahead against the Bundesliga outfit and Dominic Solanke scored on his first start of the season.

Frank said: “What I feel the whole time is the staff is with us, I think the players are with us, the ownership, everyone wants the same thing and we’re on the same page.

“I think the big thing is to build on this with a performance and a win against Burnley.”

Guardiola warning as City crash again

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City need to “change the dynamic quick” after they crashed to a shock 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt.

City’s Premier League title ambitions have taken a hit after a run of four games without a win, including Saturday’s demoralising derby loss at Manchester United.

And, after another poor display which included a red card for Rodri, their hopes of a top-eight Champions League finish are now at risk.

Guardiola said: “Everything has started to be, since the new year, against (us) in many, many things.

“How they fought 10 against 11, a lot of players made a step up, but we have to change the dynamic quick for the next game against Wolves and after that the last (Champions League) game against Galatasaray.”

Relentless Arsenal through to last 16

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent Champions League record with an impressive 3-1 victory at Inter Milan to confirm their place in the last 16.

Gabriel Jesus bagged a first-half brace and Viktor Gyokeres struck six minutes from time as Arsenal recorded their seventh triumph in as many matches in Europe so far.

Arsenal, who have already seen off Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and now last year’s beaten finalists and remain the only team in the competition to have won all of their group fixtures, are guaranteed to finish in the top two and host the second legs in their knockout matches.

Arteta said: “We’re very proud, not only for tonight’s game but for what we’ve done in the competition so far, and with one game to go to be already in the position that we want to be in.

“It is a massive prize to the team because we know how difficult it is. We really had the hunger and desire to come to a place like this against a top, top side and prove what we are and what we can do.”

Salah set for Liverpool return after Africa Cup of Nations duty

Mohamed Salah is in line to make his Liverpool return at Marseille on Wednesday.

The Egypt forward has been included in Arne Slot’s travelling Champions League squad after rejoining his team-mates for training on Tuesday following his exploits at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah departed for international duty last month with his Anfield future seemingly in doubt following a dispute with boss Slot and an explosive interview in which he accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” after results took a dive.

The 33-year-old returned to the fold as a substitute against Brighton but his future has remained uncertain since.

But Slot said: “Let’s see for the line-up tomorrow if you still think there’s an issue. I spoke to him today and I’m happy to have him back.”

What’s on today

Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle are in action in the penultimate set of Champions League group games.

Liam Rosenior’s first game in the competition as Chelsea boss is at home to Cypriot minnows Pafos, while Newcastle host PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool visit Marseille in their push for a top-eight spot.

Middlesbrough’s visit to Stoke is the pick of three Championship fixtures, and two heavyweight Women’s League Cup semi-finals see Arsenal play Manchester United while Manchester City meet Chelsea.