PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 2025
(2PM)
BRENTFORD 0(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(1)

Scorers:-
Janelt (o.g.), 29
Sarr, 87

Attendance:- 17,154

Referee:- Jarred Gillett
Assistants:- Darren Cann, Mark Scholes
Fourth official:- John Busby
VAR:- Graham Scott
Assistant VAR:- Ian Hussin

Teams:-
Brentford (4-2-3-1):- 12. Valdimarsson; 20. Ajer (sub 33. Kayode, 76), 22. Collins, 4. Van den Berg, 23. Lewis-Potter; 6. Norgaard (Capt.) (sub 14. Carvalho, 84), 27. Janelt (sub 8. Jensen, 66); 19. Mbeumo, 24. Damsgaard, 7. Schade; 11. Wissa

Subs not used:- 41. Eyestone; 5. Pinnock, 16. Mee; 18. Yarmoliuk, 26. Konak, 32. Maghoma

No bookings

Spurs (4-2-1-3):- 31. Kinsky; 23. Pedro Porro, 14. Gray, 33. Davies, 24. Spence; 8. Bissouma (sub 29. Sarr, 68), 30. Bentancur; 21. Kulusevski; 47. Moore (sub 15. Bergvall, 46), 9. Richarlison (sub 44. Scarlett, 79), 7. Son (Capt.)

Subs not used:- 40. Austin; 3. Reguilon, 59 Cassanova, 79. Hardy; 64. Olusesi; 63. Ajayi

Booked:- Son (foul on Mbeumo)

Resolute Spurs earn precious win!

Thanks to Andy Park for this picture

It was Groundhog Day (2nd February) over in Pennsylvania, but the only significant number two here was the two goals scored by a Spurs side still missing their top three scorers (Maddison, Johnson and Solanke) and their two first choice centre-backs (Romero and Van de Ven).

Another superb inswinging corner by Son led to a first half own goal, and after defending their slender lead with utter determination and resolution Spurs achieved their first win in seven Premier League games and also their first clean sheet in those intervening league matches. The second goal, also made by Son, but scored with aplomb by substitute Pape Sarr, was one of pure skill.

Thus, Spurs climbed back into 14th place, ten points clear of the bottom three. That is a significant and surely decisive margin. By beating out of form Manchester United in our next league game in two weeks' time, we can climb above them. United lost at home for the seventh time today.

The Spurs squad did not include Micky van de Ven, who was rested after his 45 minutes on Thursday night. Ange Postecoglou explained, "We're just trying to manage his minutes. It's a quick turnaround and with speaking with the medical team and Micky himself, we'll just keep him on ice this weekend, give him another week training and then hopefully he'll be ready for the end of the week."

That suggests Micky might not start our Carabao Cup semi-final game at Anfield on Thursday, but Spurs did today finalise the transfer of Austrian international centre-back Kevin Danso today, and he will be eligible to play - assuming the confirmation of his work permit.

Djed Spence returned at left back and deservedly won the Sky man of the match award for keeping Brentford's top scorer Bryan Mbeumo at bay. The whole back four of Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, and Spence were superb today once they'd got one or two early nervous play-out moves and backward passes out of their system. They were ably supported by the whole team.

Brentford had more possession, more shots and more on target than did Spurs, whose lead was achieved before they even had one shot on target. Spurs were aided by Brentford's profligacy in front of goal with Schade and Wisse in particular missing good chances.

Brentford's bench included 18-year-old goalkeeper Julian Eyestone, signed last summer and yet to make his first appearance. Also among the substitutes was 23-year-old former Spurs Academy midfielder Paris Maghoma. Brentford's latest (loan) signing - right-back Michael Kayode also started on the bench.

The sun always seems to shine when Spurs visit the GTECH Community Stadium, and this was the case today. Most away fans faced the glare throughout the game. Lucky visiting fans were in the shade. Spurs presumably won the toss and played away from their fans. That left Brentford goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson to face the glare in the first half.

Thanks to Cassim Patel for this picture

Kulusevski played the central midfield role with Mikey Moore on his right. After some of that early nervous defending by Spurs, Damsgaard had a shot blocked. Spence got forward after 5 minutes and fed the ball to Kulusevski, whose cross/shot passed across the goalmouth just in front of Richarlison.

A poor out-ball by Kinsky soon came back Spurs' way via Mbeumo on the right. Wisse headed over the target from the cross. The usual anti-Levy chants were vented by the travelling support.

I spotted Kulusevski wasting possession twice in these early stages in his own half. Archie Gray blocked a shot by Schade after Spurs played backwards and lost the ball. Everton had convincingly beaten Leicester (who beat us last week) yesterday by playing in a more direct style.

Richarlison couldn't make the most of a half chance in front of goal after Spence's cross. Mikey Moore was also in the box and touched the ball to Kulusevski, whose effort was easily cleared. Moore defended well at the other end when Schade tried to convert another Mbeumo cross. Wisse headed over again when the ball was returned from the opposite side.

Once again, Mikey was on the attack and his cross aimed at Richarlison was well cleared. The game was opening up and Mbeumo had a shot held after he raced onto a long ball forward. VAR might have found him offside had he scored.

Spurs won a corner after a Bissouma shot was deflected. Son took one of his inswingers (remember he scored direct from a corner in the Carabao Cup against Manchester United) and the ball went into the net off Janelt's back. Yves Bissouma deserves credit for getting in the mix, harassing the goalkeeper and his defenders. It was nice to see Spurs getting "nasty!"

We came under some pressure and after some good blocks, Kinsky made a good save from Norgaard, before Bentancur headed the resulting corner clear.

Richarlison battled in the middle to win and retain the ball before sending Kulusevski away. "Deki" passed into the box where Mikey Moore went down, but the referee and VAR agreed there had been no foul. I do feel that over the course of the game, the home side had more benefit from Mr Gillett's decisions.

Schade glanced another header wide. Mikey Moore fed Kulisevski with a neat pass and Dejan got deep into the area on the right before his cross was put out for a corner. Kulusevski met Son's corner at the near post and headed over. Bissouma was getting in the mix again. Kulusevski had a shot from distance, but this was held.

Son was shown the only yellow card of the game when he halted a Mbeumo advance in midfield. Mr. Gillett gave no foul when Moore seemed to have been shoved over, but did give a free kick against Richarlison for a feint at an opponent. The free kick was cleared. "Richie" went down in the box after a Mikey Moore pass, but again the decision went in favour of the home side.

Brentford had two consecutive corners before the break and Richarlison blocked a powerful Mbeumo shot with his head. Our number 9 carried on regardless!

Lucas Bergvall (on his 19th birthday!) replaced Mikey Moore at the interval and Kulusevski took up the right-side position. Richarlison sent Son away in an early counter-attack, but Son was blocked when he approached goal.

Norgaard clipped a Mbeumo pass goalward and Kinsky could only parry. He was lucky the ball did not fall to Brentford feet. As always, we needed the second goal. VAR reviewed the question of Pedro Porro holding Wisse but decreed in Spurs' favour. Wisse hit another chance over the target after a cross from the left.

Kulusevski hit the side netting after receiving a good pass from Bentancur. After good approach play by Pedro Porro and Kulusevski on the right, Bergvall hit a left-footed shot just outsider the keeper's left post.

Damsgaard had a shot deflected wide at the other end. Spurs were defending well, but would they hold on? Bissouma was replaced by Sarr.

Brentford were becoming tired and frustrated. One Mbeumo effort was screwed out of play for a throw-in!

Kayode came on for his debut and won a corner with his first cross. We also discovered he is a long throw merchant, but nothing came of those efforts. Lewis-Potter struck a shot from distance which passed well over the bar.

Son won a corner after another Spence pass. Subsequently a cross by Kulusevski was too deep for Dane Scarlett, who by now had replaced Richarlison. Carvalho subsequently replaced Norgaard and when Kayode crossed from the left , the former Fulham and Liverpool player tried a cheeky scissor kick which Spence cleared just in front of the goal line.

Spurs sealed their win after a good move when Bentancur passed to Son who threaded a nice pass into the box where Sarr won the race to the ball against the goalkeeper and a defender. Sarr scored with his own cheeky effort, placing his shot through the keeper's legs.

Ben Davies fouled Mbeumo just outside the edge of the area on Spurs' left. Mbeumo took the free kick himself but fired well over the target. The game was up for Brentford, who have yet to beat Spurs at home in four Premier League attempts.

Spurs had at last ended their seven-game winless run, during which only one point had been gained. The win was justifiably celebrated wholeheartedly by players and fans alike. It was a wonderful feeling.

Spurs, hopefully with some players returning from injury, can now focus on two domestic cup games before that visit to Tottenham by ailing Manchester United. Bring it on!

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