2 February 2025
Brentford 0 Tottenham 2
Brentford have made a name for themselves as one of the form teams playing at home this season, however, they have struggled to continue that impressive record going this season. They welcomed struggling Tottenham to the Gtech Community Stadium, with fantasy league managers loading their sides with Thomas Frank’s players.
The hosts started well as Damsgaard clipped a ball over the Tottenham defence for Mbuemo to run onto. He twisted and turned the defender before creating space to get a shot away but it was a disappointing effort from The Bees’ dangerman. Kinsky made a simple save to deny him as the player stood with his head in his hands.
Postecoglou’s side started to ask questions of the Brentford defence as Son and Moore linked up well. The Spurs’ skipper tried to get a shot away but it was well blocked, with the rebound dropping kindly to Sarr on the edge of the box. The midfielder looked to shoot but once again The Bees were quick to close him down as it deflected over the crossbar for a corner.
As Son whipped in the corner, it led to one of the most bizarre goals of the season. All too often nowadays players are just focussed on the person they are marking and not the ball. Janelt was guilty of this and Spurs’ cross hit his back and ended in the back of the net. Even the most basic of youth football would not accept such a lack of awareness from players, let alone professional athletes.
The Bees had gifted the lead to the visitors and now had a mountain to climb. The defending at the corner was dreadful, they were just fortunate that the fans in the ground didn’t have the means to watch a replay. You would have heard the collective groan from the home fans. Frank’s side needed to find an immediate reply.
Brentford started to put some pressure on the visitors. Norgaard had a clear sight of goal but his shot was well saved by Kinsky as he parried it behind for a corner. The effort was struck with real venom but it was straight at the Spurs keeper. Either way, it was an important stop to protect Tottenham’s lead in this London derby.
Bissouma then found himself with plenty of space in the middle of the park. As he dribbled it towards the penalty area, the midfielder let fly and Flekken made a comfortable save in the bottom corner of the goal. The hosts could ill-afford to concede again but would be content with the visitors trying their luck from so far out.
Damsgaard has really come to life as a Brentford player this season. His vision and creativity really makes Frank’s side tick. He has become as important to The Bees as Odegaard is for Arsenal. The more the hosts got him involved, Tottenham struggled to deal with the attacking threat. Despite this, Postecoglou’s side went in at the break with their lead intact.
After the interval, Frank’s side looked to press further. Damsgaard swung in a teasing cross that picked out Wissa in the middle. The striker was completely unmarked, just six yards out, but somehow managed to put his effort over the crossbar. It was a dreadful miss and could have turned this game on its head. The Bees could pay dearly for the wasted opportunity.
A poor pass from Brentford as they looked to play out from the back gifted the ball to Bentancur. He threaded a superb pass through to Kulusevski who tried to work Flekken but could only find the side netting. Spurs seemed like they needed another goal as a cushion and could not afford to be spurning chances so easily.
The hosts managed to force a corner and as Spurs failed to clear their lines, it dropped to Carvalho with his back to goal. He spun to get a shot away but Spence was on hand to clear off the line. It was another big chance wasted for Brentford. Spurs were riding their luck by this point but as long as they defended their clean sheet, they were heading to victory.
Spurs started to pass the ball around and almost got themselves in trouble when Kinsky played a loose ball. Fortunately for the visitors, Bergvall managed to get an outstretched leg to it to divert it to a teammate. Postecoglou’s side were finding things a lot easier when in possession of the ball and the hosts were struggling to win it back.
Sarr played the ball into Son, who immediately returned the favour. The Tottenham midfielder headed towards goal, at a tight angle, and slotted it past Flekken to seal victory for Spurs with only minutes remaining. The away end erupted as it nestled in the back of the net, knowing this confirmed a much-needed win for the visitors.
Try as they might, Brentford could just not create a clear-cut chance in the dying stages of the game. The closest they came was when Schade met Jenson’s cross with a header but it looped harmlessly over the crossbar. This was a poor display from Thomas Frank’s side and they had made it all too easy for Tottenham to get a morale-boosting three points.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.