Tottenham’s quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League takes them to an impressive Brentford side today.
Though few would doubt the fact Antonio Conte has raised the level of this Spurs team, last week’s loss at home to Brighton was hugely disappointing, offering hope to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in the race to finish in the top four.
Mikel Arteta’s side overcame United at the Emirates earlier on Saturday, taking them to fourth and putting the pressure on Spurs.
Indeed, that look to be playing on Tottenham’s mind. Having barely fashioned a chance in the first-half, they headed into the break lucky to be drawn at 0-0 given Ivan Toney had the best chance, when his poweful header hit the bar.
Conte made one change to the side who lost last time out, bringing Ryan Sessegnon in at left-back for Sergio Reguilon.
Brentford, meanwhile, are thriving.
Having shaken off any relegation fears, Thomas Frank’s side are one of the Premier League’s form teams and are ending their first season in the top-flight in sterling fashion.
Christian Eriksen has had a transformative impact on the team and the sight of him lining up against his former club will be an emotional one.
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Jack Rosser from the Brentford Community Stadium
That was a turgid half from Spurs. Brentford have had them on the back foot with their energy at times and kept them out with their impressive defending but the visitors have offered next to nothing in response.
HT: Brentford 0-0 Tottenham
Far from inspiring stuff from Spurs.
Improvement needed
44:00 – Arsenal will be enjoying watching this.
Without an improvement, Tottenham do not look likely to close the gap.
Jack Rosser from the Brentford Community Stadium
Spurs really struggling to cope with Brentford at the moment. For the third time Eriksen finds Toney from a corner and he gets a shot away, this time turned behind off Bentancur.
Eriksen finding space
36:00 – The Dane’s ball to Toney doesn’t quite work but Eriksen is dropping deep, seeing plenty of the ball.
That could be bad news for Spurs.
Jack Rosser from the Brentford Community Stadium
Brentford have always been well drilled under Frank but it is always fantastic to watch in person. They are racing forward to cause Spurs problems but are so quick to get back into shape off the ball. Spurs simply can’t find a way through at the moment.
Son stepping forward
32:00 – Nice change of direction from Spurs opens Brentford up slightly, although Tottenham cannot find the killer final pass.
Slightly better from Spurs
27:00 – Touch of urgency from Son sees the ball deflected over to Bentancur, who fires high and wide from just outside the box.
Frustration for Tottenham
24:00 – Really tentative stuff so far from Spurs, with the full-backs offering little and Kane marked out of the game.
CHANCE FOR BRENTFORD
21:00 – For the second time this afternoon, Eriksen has looked to Toney at the back post from a corner. For the second time, his sweetly-hit volley is blocked.
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