Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has opened up after his side were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Saturday.
Having fallen behind to a header from Bryan Mbeumo, Spurs then came roaring back with late goals from Mathys Tel and Richarlison.
However, with virtually the last act of the game, De Ligt headed home from a Bruno Fernandes corner to earn the visitors a draw.
It was a mixed afternoon for Frank and his Tottenham side. Though they narrowly avoided defeat they remain infuriatingly inconsistent, much to the Dane's dismay.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Frank expressed his delight at the way his side performed in the second half.
He did, however, honestly admit that he was 'disappointed' they weren't able to cling on and keep Ruben Amorim's men at bay.
"I think the very big positive from this game is our performance but especially the second half. Where we stick to the game plan, stick to the structure, stay in the game," he said.
Five things to know about Tottenham boss Thomas Frank
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Richarlison thought he'd scored a dramatic late winner for Tottenham against Manchester United
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"[We] kept doing the right thing, kept believing. Which of course that is huge when we look back at the Chelsea game and we haven't won that much at home and all that.
"We know it is out there. To keep going, don't get attracted to stuff we shouldn't do.
"Then we come back and score a brilliant goal and then get to 2-1 up and of course you are disappointed with that late of the goal, with 11 against 10. That is just football. How many times have we seen it?
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Mathys Tel admitted to feeling frustrated after Tottenham were unable to close out their match with Manchester United
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"The positive is the players' reaction and how they kept going."
Tottenham goalscorer Tel also opened up.
Like his manager, he was happy enough. However, the former Bayern Munich star also admitted he was frustrated - having come so close to tasting victory.
"The feeling is 50-50. We concede one goal, we were losing. Second half our reaction was good, we changed the game," he said.
"But we're also mad because we had to win today. But this is football, we have to keep going and keep working.
"We were told [at half-time] to just bring new energy, we needed energy to change the game and that's what we did. We showed great mentality, we deserved to win this game.
Matthijs de Ligt scored a crucial late leveller for Manchester United against Tottenham | PA"It's [the goal] a move I'm working on in training. It's about practice, practice, practice.
"I saw the ball coming to me and it's just about turning my body to strike. I want to help the team, the coach, the club.
"I want to do my job and that's what I try to do every day."
Tottenham will now turn their attention to a seismic clash with Arsenal on November 24.
They'll relish the chance to dent the Gunners' title challenge, with Mikel Arteta's side flying towards the crown as things stand.
United, meanwhile, return to action with a home match against Everton on November 23.