PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST, 2026
(5.30 PM)
BRENTFORD 3(2) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0(0)

Brentford scorers:-
Lewis-Potter, 12
Janelt, 33
Kayode, 49

Attendance:- 17,180

Referee:- Michael Oliver
Assistants:- James Mainwaring, Blake Antrobus
Fourth official:- Sam Barrott
VAR:- John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Gary Beswick

Teams:-
Brentford (4-2-3-1):- 1. Kelleher; 33. Kayode (sub 2. Hickey, 76), 20. Ajer, 22. Collins (Capt.), 23. Lewis-Potter; 27. Janelt, 18. Sangare (sub 24. Damsgaard, 76); 11. Ouattara (sub 19. Anthony, 67), 8. Jensen (sub 6. Yarmoliuk, 67), 7. Schade; 9. Thiago (sub 13. Wilson, 83)

Subs not used:- 12. Valdimarsson; 3. Henry, 5. Pinnock, 44. Schuster

Booked:- Janelt (foul on Maddison)

Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 31. Kinsky; 14. Gray (Capt.) (sub 13. Udogie, 86), 6. Van Hecke, 5. Senesi, 3. Robertson; 16. Tonali, 15. Bergvall (sub 30. Bentancur, 46); 47. Moore (sub 10. Maddison, 68), 8. Gallagher (sub 18. Fernandes, 46), 11. Tel; 9. Richarlison (sub 19. Solanke, 68)
(Armband to Maddison)

Subs not used:- 39. Dubravka; 4. Danso, 33. Davies; 68. Williams-Barnett

Booked:- Gallagher (foul on Kayode)

Grounds for pessimism, surely?

Thanks to Cassim Patel for this picture

All the optimism surrounding Spurs in the build-up to this new season crumbled at Brentford's Gtech stadium. Yes, Roberto de Zerbi is still missing key players, with Van de Ven missing, Maddison, Udogie and Fernandes on the bench, Pedro Porro not involved and Kudus and Kulusevski not yet fit. (Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are a long way from recovery and availability). However, Brentford, who have spent moderately overwhelmed us and took a deserved lead in the 12th minute before adding two more goals. It could have been worse, as Igor Thiago hit the post with a second half penalty that could have made the score 4-0.

Thiago was nowhere near being Brentford's best player. That was 24-year-old Mamadou Sangare, signed in the summer for a club record fee from Lens. Sangare was the clear star and covered almost every inch of the field of play. He made the first goal too.

Brentford have spent moderately, whereas Spurs have spent massively, with seemingly two more big singings to come in the shape of Savinho and Marmoush. Brentford were faster and fitter than us. They closed us down everywhere and out-muscled us. Their movement was superior and they could be in for another good season.

There is hardly a good word to be said about any of our team. Van Hecke and Senesi didn't look convincing in the middle. As a team we persist in trying to play out from the back, with little success. Richarlison couldn't hold the ball or pass accurately. I'm inclined to say that Andy Robertson was our best player. He had more success than did Tel in making crosses.

As anticipated, Spurs fielded the same starting side as that which began their final friendly last week at home to Hoffenheim. Archie Gray made history by becoming our youngest ever captain in a competitive fixture at 20 years, 163 days, beating Steve Perryman's record set 54 years ago.

As mentioned in my preview, Brentford thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 7-0 in their last pre-season game. The "Bees" are certainly buzzing!

Spurs kicked off and played away from their fans. Inside the first minute Robertson hit a cross which was fielded by his former Liverpool teammate Kelleher.

For a good while thereafter, we were subject to a barrage of attacks. Van Hecke fouled Schade outside the box towards our right flank and Jensen took a direct shot at goal, which Robertson headed out for a corner. Lewis-Potter was playing at left back, but he too was found in different positions, having a shot blocked from outside the box in a central position. Jensen crossed from the left and centre-back Collins headed wide.

Lewis-Potter crossed into the danger zone and Van Hecke did not look convincing in his attempt to clear. Gallagher took a ball from Richarlison and made a run for goal but curled his shot wide. That was a rare Spurs attack of any note.

Brentford's opener came as no surprise and followed a move forward by Sangare, who after a quick one-two crossed to the middle where Lewis-Potter fired home from a central position.

Spurs had a free kick after Richarlison was fouled, but Tel's shot was half-blocked and easily saved. Spurs were caught in possession on their right flank and Jensen received the pass in an offside position before crossing for Thiago to head off the top of the bar.

Robertson did well in defence against Ouattara, making Kinsky's job easier. Spurs managed some possession in the opposition half before Bergvall's cross from the left passed wide of the far post.

Brentford had a free kick after a foul by Senesi. Jensen crossed and Kayode headed wide. Kinsky was positioned well to beat Ouattara to a long ball. The former Bournemouth man might have been offside. Kinsky kicked the ball to Richarlison who couldn't control it, Bergvall lost out in his effort to reach the ball and after a shot by Jensen was parried, Janelt swept the ball into the net. The match was looking a lost cause for Spurs already. Brentford fans taunted us with "You're going down with the Fulham". That might not be true, but as I write, we are holding up the table with even Manchester United and Coventry above us. (Coventry only alphabetically!)

Spurs had more good possession, but no end result. Tonali was at last having some impact. Ouattara had a shot pass just over the target.

Both Bentancur and Fernandes were going through their paces at half-time and they replaced Bergvall and Gallagher respectively. At least we would look more solid in front of the defence.

Unfortunately, we were immediately under the cosh thanks to a Kayode long throw and a resulting corner. The corner was hit long from the right to Collins who was beyond the back post. He headed back into the centre where Sangare's shot was parried by Kinsky to the feet of full back Kayode, who made no mistake.

Mikey Moore hadn't seen much of the ball but had three shots straight at Kelleher. Mikey's third shot was the best effort. He really should have scored at least once.

Brentford were awarded a penalty by Michael Oliver when he adjudged Bentancur to have shoved Schade to the ground. Thiago stepped up and sent Kinsky the wrong way, but the ball bounced back into safety off the post.

Tonali had a shot deflected a comfortably saved near the keeper's right post. More substitutions followed with Maddison replacing Moore and Solanke taking over from Richarlison.

A header on target by Schade was held, after Spurs had lost possession when passing in their own half. Thiago met a cross from the right, but thankfully, fired wide. Tel hit a reasonable left footed shot over the bar.

Udogie was our final sub - for Archie Gray, who handed the armband to Maddison. Maddison was also guilty of inaccurate passing and being muscled off the ball. Andy Robertson filled in at right back.

In the closing stages, another sub - former West Ham player Callum Wilson hit the side netting when Van Hecke deflected his shot.

Brentford had never previously won a home Premier League game against Spurs. This was just the first attempt. In his eighth game in charge Roberto de Zerbi's side conceded two goals in one half for the first time and also conceded three goals in a game for the first time.

Roberto said after the game, "We have to stay calm and put the focus on the improvement we have to do. I think we are all in the right situation to build something special, maybe not immediately, we need time, but I think we are in a good way."

Things can only get better. On Wednesday night we host Charlton (who today beat West Ham at The London Stadium) in the Carabao Cup.

Spurs have now lost 6 consecutive London Derby League matches.

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