PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER, 2024
(3pm)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(2) BRENTFORD 1(1)

Spurs scorers:-
Solanke, 8
Johnson, 28
Maddison, 85

Brentford scorer:-
Mbeumo, 1

Attendance:- 61,246

Referee:- John Brooks
Assistants:- Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan
Fourth official:- Oli Langford
VAR:- Alex Chilowicz
Assistant VAR:- Darren Cann

Teams:-
Spurs (4-3-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 14. Gray, 88), 17. Romero, 37. Van de Ven, 13, Udogie; 21. Kulusevski, 30. Bentancur (sub 8. Bissouma, 63), 10. Maddison (sub 15. Bergvall, 88); 22. Johnson (sub 29. Sarr, 70), 19. Solanke (sub 47. Moore, 88), 7. Son (Capt.)

Subs not used:- 20. Forster; 6. Dragusin, 24. Spence; 16. Werner

Booked:- Van de Ven (foul on Ajer), Bissouma (foul on Damsgaard), Maddison (Celebration)

Brentford (5-3-2):- 1. Flekken; 20. Ajer (sub 30. Roerslev, 79), 5. Pinnock, 4. Van den Berg, 22. Collins, 23. Lewis-Potter; 18. Yarmoliuk (sub 7. Schade, 63), 27. Janelt (Capt.), 24. Damsgaard (sub 26. Konak, 79); 19. Mbeumo, 14. Carvalho (sub 28. Trevitt, 87)

Subs not used:- 12. Valdimarsson; 16. Mee, 21. Meghoma, 36. Kim Ji-Soo; 42. Yogan

Booked:- Ajer (Dissent)

Spurs turn on the positivity button

Despite falling to a 23rd second set-back when Bryan Mbeumo skilfully converted Lewis-Potter's cross from the left, Spurs went all out to get back on terms and succeeded with a positive performance which laid to rest the midweek doldrums (albeit a victory) at Coventry.

Dominic Solanke scored his much-awaited first Spurs goal and Brennan Johnson scored a second goal in consecutive games to be rewarded with the home fans chanting his name in support. We waited till late in the game for a third goal and a much-needed two-goal cushion, but it was a goal worth the wait, superbly executed by James Maddison (his first since March) and expertly crafted by a move from the Spurs half.

With this second league win of the season, Spurs returned to the top half above Manchester United who we play next Sunday.

On Autumn Equinox Day, Spurs fans enjoyed perhaps the last of the summer sunshine, an enjoyable game, and a good win. Postecoglou started with the same line-up as that which faced Arsenal last week. Rodrigo Bentancur was the midfield anchor with Kulusevski and Maddison beside him to fire the Spurs attack. Brentford played with five across the back, but didn't help themselves with too many errant balls and touches in their own half.

"The Bees" kicked off and played towards the South Stand. For the second week running they scored in the first minute. Mbeumo's finish was a well-placed left-footed shot with Van de Ven standing just too far off him. Last week they shocked Manchester City after 22 seconds. Today, we were their 23rd second victims.

Spurs responded at high pace and positively. Maddison overhit a cross from the left, but soon fed Son from the right. Son teed up Bentancur, whose shot was deflected for an early corner. Maddison had a shot blocked from inside the area after Solanke acted as provider.

Solanke soon had his first Spurs goal when Flekken could only parry Maddison's shot into the path of our £65 million striker. He couldn't miss.

Son had a shot parried by the Brentford keeper after an advance down the left by Udogie. Son had two assists today but couldn't hit the net. Johnson had a shot pass wide across the goal after Maddison centred and Kulusevski teed up the Spurs number 22. Brennan was unable to take advantage of a defensive error and Flekken saved his shot.

Son and Udogie advanced on the left, but another Spurs shot was blocked. Goalkeeper Flekken was first to a long ball by Romero, aimed at Solanke. Vicario saved a shot by Lewis-Potter at the other end. Son had a shot blocked after being sent away by Solanke but had probably been offside.

Spurs took a deserved lead in the 28th minute. Maddison had taken control in midfield before passing to Son who crossed. Johnson scored with aplomb. It was a right-footed shot across the keeper and inside his right post. It's becoming a trademark Johnson shot, and goal!

Spurs maintained the pressure when Maddison crossed from the bye-line on the left, but the defence won that round.

Spurs were not immune from lapses at the back and Vicario put himself under pressure after taking a pass from Van de Ven. He should have hit the ball to Row Z but managed to push the ball away from Carvalho before saving Mbeumo's follow-up. "Vic" had redeemed himself. He also saved Damsgaard's shot from the left of goal.

Pedro Porro had a shot blocked after a James Maddison corner and before the break Maddison offered a pass to Johnson, whose effort was blocked.

Spurs kicked off the second half. Pedro Porro won an early corner on the right. Son didn't make the most of a good ball down the left channel by Maddison. Maddison was at the heart of another attack which gave Kulusevski a shot on goal, but that was blocked.

In fact, Maddison was at the heart of many good moves and back to his best. Vicario was at the heart of controversy when he appeared to handle just outside his area. Referee John Brooks waved away protests and booked player Ajer and manager Frank for the degree of their dissent.

A nice move to spread the play from left to right ended with Kulusevski feeding Johnson, whose shot was comfortable for Flekken near his left post. Vicario saved well (to his right) at the other end after a Brentford break-out and another Mbeumo shot. Johnson had another shot wide across goal after a Son pass.

Bentancur was replaced by Bissouma who quickly got booked after a foul on Damsgaard. Brentford substitute Schade headed down following a Brentford corner and Vicario made another good save, low to his right.

Our third goal came after Bissouma's fine tackle in the box; Romero's threaded ball and Son's neat pass to his left. Maddison finished with a clever weighted dink over Flekken to cue hearty celebrations.

With the game now secure, Postecoglou gave Gray, Bergvall and Mikey Moore cameos at the end. Next up for Spurs is what should be a cosy home Europa League tie against Qarabag on Thursday night.

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