Brentford 3-0 Tottenham: Bees Hammer Spurs to Start the Season

After a long wait,  Saturday evening saw Brentford begin their 26/27 season, as they welcomed Spurs to the Gtech Community Stadium, live on Sky Sports. 

For the task at hand, manager Keith Andrews opted for the same XI that beat Frankfurt last weekend, as we predicted; Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Sangare, Janelt, Jensen; Ouattara, Thiago, Schade. 

The Bees starter well, after four minutes, they had their first opportunity to take the lead. A clever set piece routine saw a Lewis-Potter shot blocked from the edge of the box. From there, a ball was played into the box, finding Collins whose effort from close range was off target. Probably should have done a bit better there, but a bright start. 

Four minutes later, Brentford came close again.. A fierce, zipped in ball down the left from Lewis-Potter was awkwardly dealt with by Jan Paul van Hecke, but it could not be turned in at the far post. 

Brentford finally made the breakthrough in the 12th minute. Brilliant work down the right hand side from Sangare and Ouattara saw the former get into the box and cut the ball back for Lewis-Potter, who fired the ball into the back of the net after a very clever run. A superb goal, and very well deserved.  

Just after the half hour mark, it should have been 2-0. A great cross from Thiago found Ouattara, but his heavy touch ran into Antonin Kinsky. Great header from Schade to find the Brazilian. May have been offside. 

However, within 90 seconds, the second goal finally came, and boy was it deserved. Jensen beat Lucas Bergvall to a 50-50, before driving forward and seeing his shot saved, where Janelt was Johnny on the spot to convert the rebound and make it 2-0. At last. 

A couple of minutes before the break, there was a chance for a third, after once again getting in behind the Spurs backline, a cross was swung in from the left, but it was a bit awkward for Kayode and his header could not find the net. 

The Bees going into half-time 2-0 up. An absolutely brilliant half, with the only criticism being that it wasn't more than two.   

Brentford didn't wait long in the second half before exteding their lead. before. Sangare fired a shot at goal, that was again parried by Kinsky into a Brentford player (this time more unfortunate), and there was Kayode at the right place at the right time, to make it 3-0. 

Straight down the other end, Spurs nearly got one back. After a quick move, their first presentable opportunity fell to Mikey Moore on the right side, but his shot was straight at Kelleher. 

A minute later, Moore had an even better chance at the far post, but again his shot was straight at Kelleher. A let off for Brentford who let Andy Robertson get in behind their right side too easily. 

Back down the other end, it was the hosts time to miss a good chance again. After a penalty was awarded thanks to a foul from substitute Rodrigo Bentancur on Schade, Thiago sent Kinsky the wrong way, but his penalty rattled the post. A rare miss from 12 yards.  

Midway through the second half, Brentford made some changes, with Yehor Yarmoliuk replacing Jense, and Jaidon Anthony making his debut, interstingly enough on the right hand side, not the left, replacing Ouattara. 

With just under a quarter of an hour remaining, two more changes were made. Aaron Hickey was introduced for Hickey, and Damsgaard came on for Sangare, who received a well merited standing ovation. 

Immediately after, it could have been 4-0. Superb build up down the right was too much for Spurs to contain, and the low cross sent in was met by Thiago, but he could not convert from close range. Great move. Not long later, the Brazilian was taken off for Callum Wilson. A very good performance from him, just could not quite get his goal. 

That would be that, an emphatic 3-0 victory, and honestly, that score flattered the visitors. It could have been six on another day. Still, the perfect way to start the season. A great day in West London.