MATT BARLOW: Ivan Toney’s ban did not matter a jot as Brentford overturned Tottenham – under Thomas Frank the Bees have become the nemesis of the Premier League elite
Brentford’s players were in no doubt about the best way to celebrate a complete set of Big Six scalps. ‘There was a lot of talk about three days off,’ said boss Thomas Frank. ‘I’ll think about it.’
Frank and his Bees have quickly become the nemesis of the traditional Premier League elite. They have beaten all six of them over the last two seasons, a fantastic achievement, even if Tottenham are in a mess.
Brentford are on course for their best post-war finish, with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe as they close against champions Manchester City, whose priorities will be elsewhere.
‘We’ve given the top six teams a real go,’ said defender Ben Mee. ‘We’ve one to go and hopefully we can finish on a real high.’ They beat City away in November and collected 18 points from 11 games so far against the Bix Six, a measure of Frank’s strategy and the belief he has instilled in his way of playing against the best.
In all, Brentford have lost just nine of 37 Premier League games. Only the top three have lost fewer. Two years into life at the top level and they appear fully acclimatised, able to cope with the loss of Christian Eriksen, who inspired them during the second half of last season.
Thomas Frank has quickly become the scourge of the top of the table with his Brentford side
Bryan Mbeumo rose to the occasion in their first match without Ivan Toney, scoring a brace
So, no-one will question their ability to survive without 20-goal top-scorer Ivan Toney for eight months as he serves his FA ban.
Bryan Mbeumo scored twice and created the third for Yoann Wissa at Tottenham, with Kevin Schade completing the front line.
‘We miss a big personality and a big player,’ said Mbeumo. ‘Everybody, not just me, Kev and Wissa, has to step up and take responsibility.’
Brentford showed no sign of missing Ivan Toney. But the stats illustrate their reliance on him — and Spurs’ on Harry Kane
For Tottenham, it was one final indignity in front of their own fans at the end of a sorry season, losing at home to Brentford for the first time since 1905. Lose at Leeds on Sunday and there will be no European football for Tottenham next season.
‘We’ll try to finish strong next week,’ promised Harry Kane, who opened the scoring with a superb free-kick on Saturday to take his Premier League tally to 28 for the season.
Spurs have conceded 25 goals in the last 10 games and 62 across the season in the Premier League, their worst defensive record for 20 years.
Harry Kane’s run at Tottenham – for all of his hero status – may have had an igniminious end
