Tottenham Hotspur secured a much-needed 2-0 win over Brentford, moving further away from the relegation zone and ending a run of four consecutive Premier League defeats.
Micky van de Ven, who returned to action in midweek, was missing from the matchday squad, leaving Spurs with only two senior players available on the bench. Leading the attack was a recently fit-again Richarlison, but he couldn’t quite reach an early cross that flashed across the goal. Spurs had to endure some pressure from Brentford, with Antonín Kinský’s poor pass leading to a header from Yoane Wissa that went just over the bar. Kevin Schade then had a close-range shot blocked, and Wissa came close again with a header, sending his attempt just off-target from Vitaly Janelt’s cross.
Bryan Mbeumo created some space for a shot, but it was easily saved. Against the run of play, Tottenham took the lead in the 29th minute. A corner from Son Heung-min caused problems for Brentford, and goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson, making his first Premier League start, failed to clear the ball. Janelt accidentally bundled the ball into his own net. Brentford pushed for an equaliser before half-time, but clear chances were few and far between.
Brentford had been leading at the break in just one of their last 11 Premier League games, so it wasn’t an unfamiliar situation. They started the second half well, but Tottenham were fortunate when Wissa’s shot, following Schade’s flick-on, clipped the top of the crossbar. The hosts continued to press for a goal, with Djed Spence clearing an overhead kick from Fábio Carvalho that looked set to score. Then, a late run from Pape Matar Sarr, who was set up by Son, allowed the substitute to finish calmly and seal the win for Spurs.
This was only Tottenham’s second league win in 12 matches under Ange Postecoglou, lifting them two places to 14th and easing the fear of a potential relegation battle. For Brentford, a fifth consecutive league match without a win at home leaves them in 11th, with their hopes of European qualification fading as they appear set for a midtable finish.
