Is Ivan the next person in line after Harry? During a span of 105 minutes, both Brentford and Tottenham had the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities beyond what was previously known. The act of James Madison donning Harry Kane’s No. 10 jersey can be interpreted as a deliberate gesture aimed at the former esteemed club goalscorer, who was last witnessed receiving a runner-up medal in the German Super Cup. This action serves as a response to inquiries from Brentford supporters regarding the whereabouts of their beloved Harry.
The absence of Ivan Toney until January places the responsibility of leading Brentford’s forward line on the capable shoulders of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo. These two players, known for their agility and energy, will pose a significant challenge to Tottenham Hotspur’s transition to a back-four formation under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou. The inclusion of Destiny Udogie at the left-back position, along with Micky van de Ven joining Cristian Romero in central defense, alongside new goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, introduced additional unfamiliarity to the team.
David Raya’s imminent move to Arsenal marked a significant development, while Mark Flekken, a Dutch goalkeeper, also made his Premier League debut. However, it is worth noting that Thomas Frank’s selection for Brentford was more familiar compared to Postecoglou’s choices. Brentford’s style of play can be characterized as a work in progress, showcasing elements of traditional Tottenham values in contrast to Antonio Conte’s less refined approach. The new club captain, Son Heung-min, played on the left side, while Richarlison took on the role of a lone striker, stepping out of Kane’s shadow. Madison is wearing a shirt number that indicates his role as a creator in the style of Hoddle and Sheringham. Maddison, a player who has garnered praise from Tottenham fans while facing criticism from Brentford supporters, finds himself in a prominent position to showcase his long-anticipated skills.
The accuracy of his dead-ball kicks has always been highly regarded, and his skillful cross from the left-hand corner of Brentford’s box resulted in the first goal of the Postecoglou era. Romero and Richarlison were positioned to score, eagerly awaiting the opportunity. The Argentinian player reached the destination ahead of others, however, the on-field festivities were postponed due to a prolonged Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. Subsequently, Romero promptly exited the field due to a concussion sustained from a prior collision with Mbeumo. Davinson Sanchez emerged onto the field, having faced criticism from a portion of Tottenham Hotspur supporters in the previous season. However, he garnered significant praise during the pre-season period. One of Postecoglou’s responsibilities is to enhance the performance of the players he inherited, such as Yves Bissouma, who demonstrated glimpses of his previous form at Brighton, particularly in the midfield position.
During the pre-match phase, the players of Spurs gathered together in a huddle reminiscent of the Celtic style. A delay in the kick-off occurred due to “sanitation issues,” which momentarily jeopardized the occurrence of the game at the Community Stadium. The stadium’s toilets experienced a water shortage, but the situation was promptly resolved when an emergency plumber was summoned. Upon the commencement of the match, Brentford promptly initiated an aggressive offensive against Tottenham. Wissa and Mbeumo vigorously pursued Vicario, thereby challenging his ability to execute precise one-touch passes.
Following that, the Spurs team played a brief but focused period of the creative and strategic style of football that their newly appointed manager had initially promised. This resulted in them successfully scoring their first goal. However, Brentford swiftly regained their momentum and displayed an enhanced level of performance. The Son, unfortunately, became the subject of VAR’s comprehensive surveillance, as a minor trip by Mathias Jensen resulted in punishment. Mbeumo skillfully deceived Vicario from the penalty spot.
Brentford’s second goal left the Italian player in a state of helplessness, as Rico Henry swiftly maneuvered past a stationary Emerson Royal. Henry then executed a precise cutback, allowing Wissa to strike the ball, which deflected off Van de Ven’s trailing leg. Emerson quickly made amends within the additional 11 minutes added to the initial 45. Madison passed the ball, allowing the Brazilian player to forcefully strike it into the goal. The PA announcement regarding the 11-minute delay appeared to significantly impact Brentford’s momentum. This incident highlights how the sport of football poses unique challenges to teams and their strategic preparations. However, Henry once again outpaced Royal, leaving them behind, and providing Mbeumo with an opportunity. Unfortunately, Mbeumo’s shot was mishit and went wide in the final moments of the extended half.
Mikkel Damsgaard, a substitute who entered the game in the early stages of the second half, had an opportunity to make a more effective shot after Vicario deflected Vitaly Janelt’s shot into a dangerous position. Brentford’s primary source of creativity continued to be their aggressive pressing of Tottenham’s high defensive line, while Maddison’s free-kicks and corners remained their primary source of threat.
Son occasionally criticized Richarlison’s lack of movement in the first half, but it was ineffective for the Spurs. However, he displayed a greater level of engagement at the beginning of the second half, potentially influenced by some critical feedback received during the break. Madison’s pass, delivered at an angle, provided the Brazilian player with an opportunity to take a shot. However, Flekken, the opposing goalkeeper, had strategically positioned himself to reduce the available shooting angles. As a result, the Brazilian player was unable to match his goal tally from the previous Premier League season, which stood at one.
As the match approached its 90th-minute mark, both teams exhibited contrasting styles that resulted in a balanced play, as Tottenham displayed composure in ball possession while Brentford understandably showed signs of reduced energy. Vicario experienced ongoing instability while Zanka made an attempt to cross the ball, which nearly resulted in a goal. Brentford team members appealed for a penalty when Vicario collided with Kevin Schade. However, both incidents were successfully overcome before the referee signaled a seemingly brief four minutes of injury time. The match concluded with Spurs employing effective ball distribution to restrict Brentford’s offensive opportunities. However, despite their dominance, the Spurs were unable to convert their chances into goals, resulting in a final score identical to that of the previous season. It is worth noting that during the previous season, Kane’s presence played a pivotal role in rescuing the team from unfavorable outcomes.
