Premier League: Brentford 3-0 Spurs
Big-spending Tottenham made a shocking start to the new Premier League season as they were ripped apart by impressive Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Spurs have spent in the region of £237m this summer, twice breaking their transfer record, in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles, when they had to wait until the final day to confirm their top-flight place.
Four of their summer signings – defenders Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, as well as club record £100m signing Sandro Tonali – all started in west London.
Yet Spurs were 2-0 down inside 33 minutes, unmarked full-back Keane Lewis-Potter opening the scoring in the 12th minute after being picked out inside the box by Brentford’s club record summer recruit Mamadou Sangare.
Sangare impressed as Brentford completely dominated their London neighbours and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead through Vitaly Janelt’s tap-in after Antonin Kinsky had kept out Mathias Jensen.
While Brentford were full of energy and threat, Spurs failed to register an attempt on target in the first half.
Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi made a double change at the start of second half, sending on £85m signing Mateus Fernandes and Rodrigo Bentancur for Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall.
But it went from bad to worse, Michael Kayode adding the third when the ball fell into his path after midfielder Sangare’s shot was saved.
It threatened to get even uglier for De Zerbi’s side after Bentancur fouled Kevin Schade and referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot.
However, Igor Thiago’s penalty hit the post and rebounded to safety after Kinsky had gone the wrong way.
It was little consolation for Spurs, who were well beaten by a slick and highly efficient Brentford team brimming with confidence.
Tottenham failed to win a single game after falling behind last season and once again they crumbled after Lewis-Potter gave the Bees an early lead.
This was supposed to be the start of a new era for Spurs after back-to-back 17th-placed finishes.
Instead this was as bad as anything they served up last season as familiar failings were very much evident despite the new faces on show.
It was far too easy for Brentford at times, with Lewis-Potter left unmarked to score the first, Richarlison conceding possession before the second goal, and the Spurs defence all over the place when Kayode made it 3-0.
Tottenham are in talks to sign Manchester City forward duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
Yet it is in defence where Spurs look in urgent need of reinforcements.
Skipper Micky van de Ven, who is injured, watched this horror show unfold from the bench as 20-year-old Archie Gray became the youngest player to captain the club.
But this was a day to forget for Tottenham and Gray, who was replaced in the closing stages and handed the armband to substitute James Maddison, who hardly played last season because of injury.
By then, many of Tottenham’s travelling support had left the ground as Brentford fans teased their opponents by singing: “You’re going down with the Fulham.”
Brentford boss Keith Andrews admitted on the eve of the season that expectations have risen after they finished ninth last season, missing out on a European place on goal difference.
Yet his players look well equipped to handle the pressure on this evidence, with Sangare revelling in his new surroundings.
The Mali midfielder, signed from Lens, was at the heart of Brentford’s best moves, producing two key passes, registering one shot on target and providing the assist for Lewis-Potter.
When Sangare was replaced in the 76th minute with the points in the bag, home fans gave him a standing ovation.
Brentford were everything Spurs were not – well-organised, full of energy and hard-working.
In truth, they should have won by more.
At 0-0, captain Nathan Collins headed a glorious chance wide as Brentford registered four attempts inside the opening eight minutes to set the tone for what was to come.
Dango Ouattara was also guilty of a wasteful finish at 1-0 as the home side took full advantage of the space afforded to them, with Brentford registering 26 attempts to Tottenham’s nine.
The challenge for the Bees now will be to kick-on, with Leeds away next for Andrews’ men in the Premier League.
