Participant scores as Spurs safe comeback draw
From Gtech Group Stadium – Tottenham got here from two objectives right down to earn a 2-2 draw at Brentford on Boxing Day.
The Premier League returned with a feisty and well-contested London derby, with Antonio Conte’s males making life troublesome for themselves earlier than rescuing some extent.
Brentford took a Fifteenth-minute lead when Bryan Mbeumo’s cross picked out Mathias Jensen, and his strike was tamely tipped by Fraser Forster and into the trail of Vitaly Janelt for a easy faucet in as Spurs fell behind for a ninth straight match.
Tottenham’s first half-sight of objective got here when Dejan Kulusevski wriggled his method in off the correct channel, rounding Ben Mee and firing a shot into the clutches of David Raya.
Son Heung-min compelled Raya into extra of a stretching save from 25 yards quickly after, whereas Forster produced a cease along with his leg to maintain out Mathias Jorgensen’s half-volley.
Brentford thought they’d added a second when Jensen robbed Yves Bissouma and set Ivan Toney racing away, rounding Forster and slotting into an empty web, however the offside flag was raised.
Tottenham, as per, raised their depth ranges in the beginning of the second half and almost carved the Bees open, with Mee recovering to clear a low cross from Ivan Perisic that regarded sure to be tapped in by Kulusevski.
Harry Kane was incensed that he was not awarded a penalty when he was hauled to the bottom by Mee with one other cross from Perisic ready to be met within the minutes that adopted.
However Brentford doubled their lead after Eric Dier’s sliced go trickled behind him for a nook, and Christian Norgaard’s flick on from Bryan Mbeumo’s supply was tapped in by Toney.
Spurs pulled one again when a deep cross from Clement Lenglet was met by a rising Kane, who obtained above Mee and headed previous Raya.
The hosts almost added a 3rd when a mix-up within the space allowed Mbeumo to search out some house and attain Rico Henry’s cutback, however the Cameroonian leant again and fired over.
The scores have been degree once more with 20 minutes left on the clock when Kulusevski’s low cross was deflected again into the trail of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who swept the ball into the highest left nook.
Whereas at one finish Matt Doherty was spared a reserving for what Brentford felt was an egregious dive, referee David Coote confirmed a yellow card to Mbeumo when he tried to purchase a penalty off Forster.
Substitute Davinson Sanchez almost accomplished the comeback with a scorching volley from distance, although it was held by a grateful Raya. Kane beat the Spaniard to a cross quickly after however noticed his header come again off the bar.
On the different finish, a header from Mads Roerslev was guided again into the trail of Toney, however he may solely poke a volley excessive.
Son had a curling strike denied by Raya deep into stoppage time as Brentford held on to take some extent.
GK: David Raya – 6/10 – Claimed each cross and commanded his space nicely. Distribution was normally spot on.
CB: Mathias Jorgensen – 8/10 – Confirmed his composure and expertise in one other massive sport for Brentford.
CB: Ethan Pinnock – 6/10 – Pocketed Kane within the first half however discovered it tougher coping with him when he dropped deep extra within the second.
CB: Ben Mee – 4/10 – So typically a relaxing affect this season, Mee was everywhere right now and was lucky to not have conceded a penalty.
RM: Mads Roerslev – 6/10 – Supplied little going ahead however was very assured defensively.
CM: Mathias Jensen – 7/10 – Helped Brentford construct whether or not in management or on the counter. Technical ranges noticeably dipped when he was subbed.
CM: Christian Norgaard – 8/10 – A one-man present in midfield at instances. Each time the Bees gained again the ball, Norgaard was normally on the coronary heart of their efforts.
CM: Vitaly Janelt – 7/10 – Roamed ahead nicely and was capable of finding the web in one other massive sport.
LM: Rico Henry – 6/10 – His tempo was a useful asset in his duels with the slower Doherty and Kulusevski.
CF: Bryan Mbeumo – 6/10 – Set piece supply was wonderful, however squandered a number of good probabilities to attain, not least when he dived to attempt to win a penalty as a substitute of taking pictures.
CF: Ivan Toney – 8/10 – Manhandled by Spurs defenders of their failed makes an attempt to maintain him down. Brentford’s talisman as soon as once more.
Substitutes
Saman Ghoddos (67′ for Jensen) – 5/10
Josh Dasilva (81′ for Norgaard) – 5/10
Yoane Wissa (81′ for Mbeumo) – 5/10
Supervisor
Thomas Frank – 7/10 – Set his staff up nicely and so they fought laborious, however couldn’t stave off Spurs’ dogged fightback.
GK: Fraser Forster – 4/10 – The tallest man on the pitch typically performed just like the shortest, failing to say excessive balls. Gifted Brentford their opener.
CB: Japhet Tanganga – 4/10 – Out of his depth. Frequently misplaced duels and performed with out cunningness and intelligence.
CB: Eric Dier – 3/10 – The glass ceiling of how far Spurs can go together with Dier as their senior defender was on show once more. Uncomfortable on the ball and a legal responsibility off it.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 6/10 – The very best defender of a fairly dangerous bunch. Spurs wanted his technical skills with the intention to play from the again.
RM: Matt Doherty – 5/10 – Did not deliver the off-ball runs he is within the staff for till the ultimate phases. Lack of tempo made it tougher to construct down his facet.
CM: Yves Bissouma – 3/10 – Fortunate to not have gifted Toney a objective within the first half. Wasteful and woeful in possession.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 8/10 – Tried his hardest and fought for each inch, finally incomes himself a objective.
LM: Ivan Perisic – 6/10 – Troubled Brentford along with his crossing, however performs as if he is nonetheless obtained searing tempo when he clearly would not.
RF: Dejan Kulusevski – 8/10 – The creator of Spurs’ greatest moments, even when there have been few and much between till late within the second half.
LF: Son Heung-min – 5/10 – Confirmed a need to beat his man and take folks on, however not inside the neighborhood of the field.
CF: Harry Kane – 8/10 – Began slowly however grew into the sport, dropping deep to free Kulusevski and Son earlier than pulling one again himself.
Substitutes
Davinson Sanchez (67′ for Tanganga) – 6/10
Ben Davies (90′ for Lenglet) – N/A
Supervisor
Antonio Conte – 6/10 – Spurs made life troublesome themselves once more however their collection of rehearsed strikes and supreme top-end high quality helped them again into the competition.
