Tottenham returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a huge 2-0 win at Brentford on Sunday afternoon. Following Thursday evening’s Europa League victory against Elfsborg, Ange Postecoglou made a handful of changes to his Tottenham XI as Antonin Kinsky, Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma and Dejan Kulusevski came into the side.
Exciting youngster Mikey Moore kept his place in the team but Micky van de Ven missed out on the matchday squad altogether. In a rather even start to the game with both teams seeing a number of efforts on goal blocked, Spurs took the lead on 29 minutes courtesy of Vitaly Janelt’s own goal from Son Heung-min’s corner.
Brentford did up the pressure after the break and went close through Yoane Wissa as the striker grazed the top of the crossbar from close range, with Lucas Bergvall then shooting narrowly wide of the target for the visitors. Managing to keep Brentford at bay, Tottenham made sure of the points minutes before the end when Pape Matar Sarr poked the ball through Hakon Valdimarsson’s legs at the near post after a precise through ball from Son.
Here are five things we spotted in the match at the Gtech Community Stadium:
The Bergvall decision
Bergvall was finally given a well-earned rest after playing so much football for Tottenham of late. Starting every Premier League game in 2025 so far prior to Sunday’s game at Brentford, the Swede had also started in the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Liverpool.
Postecoglou had no option but to start Bergvall in the aforementioned games due to a lack of options in midfield, with his last start on the substitutes’ bench coming away at Tamworth in the FA Cup. Bergvall has been a deserved starter for Tottenham of late and a rare shining light at a time when their form has fluctuated so much.
However, he was always in need of a rest after playing an awful lot of minutes in a very short space of time. Yves Bissouma’s return to fitness meant that was possible at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday as Bergvall joined Sarr in dropping down to the bench.
The Stockholm-born star would only be on the bench for 45 minutes as he was introduced at the break in place of Moore, thus highlighting his importance and value to the team right now. Forty-five minutes rest is better than nothing after a hectic schedule of late, though, and it should mean that the starlet at the very least will be nice and refreshed for Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie at Liverpool.
He was key in the first leg and he may prove to be pivotal once again in the return fixture.
Postecoglou’s Danso verdict
Sunday started in the best possible fashion for Tottenham following the capture of Kevin Danso from Lens. Joining on an initial loan deal until the end of the season, the centre-back will become a permanent Spurs player in the summer due to an obligation to purchase in the agreement between both clubs.
The arrival of a centre-back may have arrived one day before the transfer deadline but it was so crucial for Spurs to bring in a defender due to a host of injuries in the position. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Postecoglou delivered his verdict on the transfer and outlined what exactly the Austria international will bring to his team.
“Brilliant (to get him). I think Kevin will be a great fit for us,” said the 59-year-old. “We’re a little bit short at the back, have been for a while and he’s just really experienced, a good one-on-one defender.
“I’ve said before that getting new players in gives us energy and will give the group energy. I’m looking forward to him being part of the group.”
Very much a big boost for Spurs, hopefully it will give everyone a lift ahead of two massive games against Liverpool and Aston Villa next week. Postecoglou has demonstrated at Tottenham that he is not afraid to throw a new signing straight into the starting XI, with a possible debut at Anfield for Danso something that cannot be ruled out.
Gray targeted
Archie Gray could have been lining up against Tottenham had things panned out differently in the summer. Appearing to be on the verge of joining Brentford, Spurs made a late move for the highly-rated youngster and persuaded him to sign on the dotted line in north London instead.
Tottenham’s intervention was huge and it could prove to be such a key moment over the years to come with the 18-year-old currently excelling in Postecoglou’s side. Brentford fans have not forgotten about Gray’s U-turn and he was targeted with boos by some Brentford fans whenever he was on the ball early on in the game.
Nothing fazes Gray, however, and he continued to do his job at the back for Tottenham. He did make a key block midway through the first half as he stopped Kevin Schade from testing Kinsky after the Brentford ace had got the better of Pedro Porro in the box.
Spence stars
The battle for the left-back spot is going to be very interesting indeed once Destiny Udogie returns to full fitness. Spence has filled in expertly during the Italian’s absence to make himself one of the first names on Postecoglou’s teamsheet.
His performances since his introduction to the team have only raised questions as to why he was not in the head coach’s team at the beginning of the season. Spence was excellent in Sunday’s game at Brentford as he made life incredibly difficult for Bryan Mbeumo, as well as producing a vital block on his own line from Fabio Carvalho in the closing minutes prior to Sarr’s goal.
One of the standout players in the Premier League this season, the Bees ace was limited to very little over the course of the game due to Spence’s excellent defensive play up against him. The ex-Nottingham Forest man also impressed going forward with his ball-carrying ability, something Spurs have lacked in recent games when he has been on the sidelines.
Taking to X come the full-time whistle, Spurs teammate James Maddison stated that Spence was “MOTM by a country mile”. He tweeted: “So proud of the boys watching that away performance!! Djed Spence MOTM by a country mile. Coysssss”. Tottenham’s No.10 was not wrong.
The upcoming return of Udogie will come as a huge boost for Postecoglou and Spurs but it should not mean that Spence immediately drops down to the bench. Whether he starts at left-back or is used in his natural position on the right, the boss has to ensure that the 24-year-old continues to get sufficient playing time as he is so important to the team. He is a Tottenham undroppable right now.
At last!
The wait for a Tottenham Premier League win is finally over. Last collecting three points at Southampton midway through December, all connected with the club have had to remain incredibly patient over the past seven weeks with their results so frustrating at times.
Not winning at the Gtech Community Stadium since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League back in 2021, Spurs did it at the fourth time of asking following three successive draws. Given Tottenham’s struggles on the road this season coupled with Brentford’s excellent home form after only losing three of their 12 games prior to Sunday, the win in west London was huge and one that was extremely impressive.
It was also the perfect result heading into next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final at Liverpool. Spurs will get a huge confidence boost from their win at Brentford and that could possibly make all the difference come Thursday evening.
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