Tottenham battled their way to a morale-boosting 2-0 victory at Brentford to end their four-game losing streak in the Premier League and edge up to 14th in the table.
It was far from pretty, with Ange Postecoglou’s side profiting from a messy Vitaly Janelt own goal and then dropping deep in the second half to repel a barrage of crosses from their hosts before Pape Sarr raced onto Heung-Min Son’s pass to seal the victory on the counter.
Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt scores an own goal to put Spurs ahead.
But after such a miserable run in the league, Spurs’ injury-hit squad will head back to north London satisfied to take three points and head into their all-important Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool on Thursday in positive mood.
Postecoglou appeared to prioritise that cup tie by leaving Micky van de Ven out of his squad on Sunday – and his Spurs side are likely to be called on to do even more defending at Anfield. They did well at the Gtech, though, largely limiting Brentford to half-chances – although Yoane Wissa should have converted from close range when he flicked the ball over the bar.
Yoane Wissa misses golden chance to level for Brentford against Tottenham Hotspur!
Brentford’s fortress has been conquered more than usual in recent weeks – they are now winless in six at home across all competitions – and Thomas Frank will be left reflecting on how his side failed to make long spells in Spurs’ final third count. Thirty-seven crosses, 48 touches in the box and 2.29xG counted for nothing.
They were ultimately undone by a defensive set-piece, though, with Iceland goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, making his first Premier League start in place of the injured Mark Flekken, crowded out as Son whipped in the dangerous cross. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher labelled the ‘keeper’s positioning ‘a recipe for disaster’ and it stung the Bees before Sarr rubbed salt in the wounds.
Pape Matar Sarr’s finish secured Spurs’ victory at Brentford.
More to follow.
