The match started off inauspiciously for Tottenham Hotspur, after Spurs gave the ball away in his own half and Bryan Mbuemo converted an incredible volley past Vicario after just 23 seconds of match play. But to Spurs’ credit, after that point it was all Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs instantly kicked their press into high gear, and harried a Brentford side into numerous turnovers. Spurs got first half goals from Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson, and added a late goal from James Maddison to roll to a comprehensive 3-1 win over the Bees at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Mbuemo’s goal could have been deflating, but Spurs proved to have more mettle than you might have expected after a tepid performance in the League Cup midweek. Spurs equalized in the 8th minute after Spurs’ press forced a turnover via James Maddison and fired a shot that was saved by Brentford keeper Flekken. Solanke was right there at the back post to tap in the rebound, his first for the club.
Tottenham continued the frantic press and forced numerous Brentford turnovers, who were on the back foot the entire half. Brennan Johnson put Spurs ahead inside a half hour thanks to another move started by Maddison. Son picked out Johnson in space, who dribbled Nathan Collins and fired a low ball past Flekken and into the bottom left corner of the goal to put Spurs 2-1.
Brentford did have a couple of late opportunities, none worse than after Guglielmo Vicario was caught in possession and coughed up the ball just in front of his own goal, but was able to recover and save the chance. Spurs went into the break up 2-1 and with the wind at their backs.
Big Ange opted not to make any changes at halftime, which makes sense considering how well the team played in the opening 45 minutes. The press was again in high gear at least in the first part of the match — Dejan Kulusevski was played into the box after another Brentford turnover, but despite some lovely 1-2 play in the box Deki had his shot saved by Flekken.
Spurs let off on the press midway through the half, probably due to exhaustion, and let Brentford get a foothold on the match. The visitors ended up with couple of decent looks at goal that forced excellent stops by Vicario, including one wild one-handed diving stop from a free header by Brentford’s Kevin Schade.
There was a nervous energy midway through the second half but Spurs cut that short after James Maddison chipped Flekken for Tottenham’s third goal in the 85th minute off of an exceptional team attack started by Yves Bissouma and facilitated by Son Heung-Min, who had two assists on the day.
The end result was a solid win by Spurs, one desperately needed after a string of early results that have sapped some of the resolve out of supporters early on this season. The win propels Spurs up to tenth with seven points from its first five matches.
Match Reactions
- Final statistics: xG 3.51 – 0.58, 23 shots, 10 on target for Spurs. That’s a paddlin’.
- I couldn’t do much but laugh about Brentford’s opener. It arose from a silly giveaway but Mbeumo’s finish was absolutely top class. You don’t want to give up a pass into that space ever, but that was just an absurd finish that was a full foot behind him, whatchagonnado?
- Tottenham’s press was OUTSTANDING today. Spurs had 23 touches in the Brentford box in the first half hour! Maddison and Solanke in particular were absolute pressing monsters — both of Tottenham’s first half goals were started by Maddison pressing from a deeper midfield position and picking off balls to start a quick attack, and Madders started a number of other chances that weren’t converted. Solanke’s motor is just absurd, and his non-shooting actions are top class, although he missed a couple of golden opportunities for tap-in goals.
- Super happy with Johnson’s goal. Not only was it a smart finish, recognizing that Flekken was out of position, but he also dribbled his opponent in the box to make space, a rarity for him, and then shushed his critics after scoring. Great goal. I’m so pleased for him. Six shots in the match, also good.
- The variance in Vicario’s play in this match was WILD. He nearly gave away in goal after getting caught and dispossessed in possession, and then later handled the ball outside his area… I can’t believe he didn’t get a card for it, it was a blatant missed call by the match official. But then he also had a couple of absolutely insane saves to keep Brentford out. Really weird performance to rate.
- Kulusevski had another really good game inside the opposition box. He’s so good at getting in there and weirdly so averse to shooting when in those positions. If he could figure out how to finish he’d be one of the best scoring 10s in the league.
- Son looked better in this one, but it still seems like he’s a little more hesitant to shoot, or is overthinking his moves in transition, or something. Can’t quite figure it out. But he did have six chances created in this match, so y’know.
- Spurs had a number of high xG chances in the box that they somehow just couldn’t magic into the net. As good as they’ve been, it also felt a little like a continuation of the issues they had in offense in the first four matches. Or maybe that’s just the Ange-Ball Experience™ and I’m being overcritical?
- Spurs’ third goal was sublime. What a tackle by Bissouma, what a run and pass from Son (from the right side, too!), what a finish by Maddison who had the foresight to chip Flekken in transition. Just lovely. Outstanding all around, no notes.
- Loved the Boy Band Triple Sub by Postecoglou, bringing in Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Mikey Moore for a few late minutes.
- It wasn’t without its nervous moments, but this was a vibe-resurrecting, comprehensive win today by Spurs. Is this the match where Ange-Ball starts to “click”?
- We are so back.
