Simon Burnton was there to see it. Here’s his match report.
The Tottenham Stadium is all but empty….Ryan Mason speaks to BT Sports. Harry Kane is on the field speaking as player of the season.
Goals change games, we should have had a couple more in the first half. The second half they were clinicall, defensively we were probably poor on our behalf. You have to be ready for 95 minutes, you have to be focused.
[On Harry Kane] In 20-40 years’ time, this clubs is going to be here. There will be conversations.
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There’s bound to be plenty of Spurs – and Brentford – in Football Daily, all summer, all year. Sign up now! Now! Now!
Suzanne Wrack previews the big one in the WSL tomorrow.
As the end of Eidevall’s second season in charge draws closer it is apparent that a mutual respect has developed between the managers.
Before Sunday’s lunchtime meeting that could move Chelsea closer to a fourth consecutive league title and third back-to-back double or Arsenal nearer to Champions League football, there was even some sympathy from Hayes for her counterpart.
Brentford take the plaudits from their fans, and Tottenham will have to go back in and come out again, to begin their lap of (dis)honour for their home fans.
Jon Collins makes a good point, a painful one for Tottenham: “If Kane does leave, Spurs will simultaneously lose both their best goal scorer and their best creative player. A bit like Man City losing Haaland and De Bruyne at the same time. Hard to see them recovering from that, whoever the new manager is.”
Final score: Tottenham 1-3 Brentford
No fairytale for Harry Kane. Instead, Brentford show how it can be done without Ivan Toney. Spurs were the better team in the first half and then dreadful in the second. Bryan Mbeumo scored two fine goals. And now, Tottenham’s players must go on a lap of appreciation. That was Brentford’s first ever win at Tottenham.
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90+7 min: Spurs’ push for a superhero finish hasn’t quite happened. The latest dig is by Moura and it’s well wide.
90+6 min: Tom emails in
Just confirming what I’ve just witnessed in case my tv set isn’t working:
Spurs have the ball
Brentford have a “head injury” following Ben Mee’s heading the ball
Referee stops game
Referee gives ball to Brentford
Brentford score
90+4 min: Tottenham still have time. Raya seems inspired to stop them taking it. This game has been a fine demonstration of how careful planning can still win over wastefulness and the decadence of the top clubs.
90+2 min: Two brilliant saves from Raya, first from Richarlison and then from the same player. Wow. Then Moura slashes a volley wide.
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90 min: This has been a disaster for Tottenham, and the Lane is emptying. The Levy Out banners are out in force. A big summer ahead and one that starts with pain…but hang on..nine minutes have been added on. There’s still time for some Kane heroism.
Goal! Tottenham 1-3 Brentford (Wissa, 88)
Catastrophe for Tottenham, and their fans peel for the exit. It comes from a press of a throw-in. Skipp caught napping by Baptiste, and the ball is played in for Wissa to slot home. Wissa takes a seat to celebrate.
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87 min: Harry Kane now appears to be directing the Tottenham tactical changes as well as attempting to referee the game. Well, it’s his send-off….
85 min: Rico Henry concedes a corner as Ben Davies departs for Ivan Perisic. Porro takes and there’s been a clash of heads. Ben Mee is down. Struck by the ball, no less.
83 min: Some bleak camera shots show Spurs fans looking like they have for much of this season. There’s still time for a Kane show. Porro, rather useful with his shooting, has a cross and Raya lies on the ball.
81 min: Glenn Hoddle himself in the stands looking pained.
Yash gets in touch: “This is a sign of how far Tottenham have regressed that in first half I was very happy when they played okay. The problem was it meant all the onus was on Brentford and they delievered. This game’s gone and last one is against Leeds away.”
80 min: Richarlison, oh Richarlison, stumbles over. No penalty even if Spurs want one. It’s usually in the last ten minutes of a game that Spurs wake up.
79 min: Wissa gallops back to interrupt Kane playing his playmaker role, the Hoddle role he likes to play.
78 min: Brentford make a change: Schade, who has run all day, goes off. Zanka goes on.
75 min: Spurs going for this, with several forwards on. 4-2-4? Kane dropping deep behind, maybe Son and Richarlison ahead of them.
73 min: Spurs have done little to fight back as yet. The subs bench is reached for: Richarlison is on, Kulusevski is off, Royal and Porro the other swap.
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70 min: A Parse Hydrant – of the Hertfordshire Hydrants? - gets in touch:
“The whole never change thing, were you peddling that when Spurs were competing properly for 3 years? Did they change then? I know the digs are easier, but some actual description of the defending rather than just ‘bad defending’ and the low hanging fruit jibes would be appreciated, by this audience member at least.”
OK, let’s start with never change: I’ve been watching Spurs for almost 40 years and you’re right, they were competing for three years. So not quite never. But most seasons. This season especially, they defend like that.
As for the defending, how about Romero Emerson and Skipp allowing the freedom of London for Mbeumo to gallop through, after Brentford putting on a good passer in Damsgaard. Thus allowing Brentford to score rather easily. That do yer? You will have seen it before.
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67 min: Henry is booked for a shirt pull on Romero. Kane and Ryan Mason are in deep consultation. Who’s the boss there?
65 min: OK, this requires a Harry Kane rescue act, or this is Tottenham’s season in microcosm.
Danjuma off, Moura on for the final time.
63 min: Tottenham: never change.
Goal! Tottenham 1-2 Brentford (Mbeumo, 62)
Hickey challenges Kane, Damsgaard involved again and Mbeumo blazes down the left, and slots in. The goal, rather like the first, owed plenty to both fine finishing and terrible defending.
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60 min: Paul gets in touch
“In honour of Andy Rourke’s passing, here are some apt Smiths songs for Harry Kane.”
You’ve got everything now
I know it’s over
I started something I couldn’t finish
Well I wonder
Please, please, please let me get what I want
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59 min: Danjuma is down, and Moura is warming up. Looks to be a knee problem.
57 min: Kulusevski plays the ball inside, and Kane goes for the first time shot…but clanks it well over the bar.
56 min: Nice sunshine down The Lane today, the roofs of the new stadium creating all types of patterns in the shadows. It’s Brentford creating the greater danger at this point. A long throw causes problems, then Mbeumo lashes in a shot. Forster saves.
53 min: This is the story of the Tottenham, especially anyone who has been there this season. At this point, the grumbling starts. Bit of Levy Out, the usual.
51 min: Brentford took full advantage of Tottenham dropping the tempo.
Goal! Tottenham 1-1 Brentford (Mbeumo, 50)
Damsgaard starts the move, and Mbeumo cuts in and smashes past Forster. That was a fine goal but awful defending from Tottenham.
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48 min: Slowish start to this half though Thomas Frank’s squawk can be heard loud and clear from the sidelines.
46 min: On the television, Darren Fletcher has compared Stuart Pearce’s goal v Spurs in the 1991 FA Cup final. Leaning on the wall maybe what he’s talking about.
Harry Kane with a rocket 🚀
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 20, 2023
Simply sensational free-kick from the Spurs skipper opens the score! pic.twitter.com/QCuzo2qKd1
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Half-time change for Brentford: Onyeka off, Damsgaard on, that looks a move to try and restore order to midfield.
The commenters are in:
Matthew: “Given our propensity to start every game with the lethargy of a unloved stepchild awaiting the reading of the will, tottenham look surprisingly alert today, if not entirely solid.”
Colin: “Not sure it’s actually still known as ‘the Lane’ anymore. As for Kane’s last goal there, this Arsenal fan would rather not be reminded. Thanks.” It should be. It’s on the Lane.
Justin: “It’s hard to think of a team that wouldn’t be vastly improved by the addition of Harry Kane. To take three random examples, Arsenal might be champions; Leeds would be comfortably mid-table by now; and Haaland might even be looking to match Dixie Dean’s 60 league goals this weekend with the kind of service Kane delivers.”
Jeremy: “Is there a reason why Toney’s ban came into force rather than at the end of the season? It favours Tottenham and disadvantages Brighton, Villa and Brentford themselves in the competition for European places.”
Don Carlo staying on? Some talk of Mourinho back at Real this week.
Half-time: Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
Raya make a fine save from Kulusevski as the half closes out. Harry Kane’s free-kick was a beauty. Tottenham’s forwards have played the football of old. Brentford ought to be several goals down. But are not. somehow. Why? Because it’s Spurs.
45+2: Four minutes on and suddenly Tottenham step it up. Nobody wants to be on the end of Ryan Mason’s forked tongue.
44 min: Bissouma – urgh – that was a howler on Schade. The feet were up, and it was a lunge. Howard Webb, sat with the league of bald-headed men, didn’t like that. Yellow only? Lucky boy.
43 min: So close again for Spurs: Son cuts in, and chips the ball. Danjuma, falling to the floor, heads wide.
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41 min: A Spurs counter, comes to nothing. Wissa tries to set up Mbeumo who goes down. Contact, yes, foul no.
39 min: This game continues to be slow, and then suddenly full of noise and colour. Tottenham win a corner but Raya, fit again, make a fine, clean catch,
36 min: A neat passing move, and then the ball goes to Jensen who manages to dig the ball wide. David Raya has gone down injured, the Spurs-targeted Brentford goalie. He will be ok to go on
Perhaps next season, Tottenham fans can sing this of him:
So bona to vada. oh you
Your lovely eek and
Your lovely Raya”
33 min: Bissouma was the best player at Tottenham twice last season, but in a Brighton shirt but has done nothing since joining them.
30 min: Henry scampers across to stop Danjuma, who looks dangerous and worthy of a Tottenham first-team place. Lucas Moura, leaving the club this summer, has been warming up to applause. They’ll always have Ajax.
28 min: Brentford have not been exactly scintillating but are dragging Spurs down to their level.
26 min: Spurs look more likely, even if Ben Mee’s flick is claimed by Forster, who sends Danjuma on the charge. Kane sniffs the rebound but can’t get it on target.
24 min: So close for Tottenham, with Son crossing from the byline and Pinnock clearing from the goalline after a powerful header by Royal.
23 min: Both teams timewasting now. Feels like keeping the ball in play is longer advised by coaches.
20 min: Skipp slides in and Brentford have another free-kick. Ryan Mason not happy and he is booked for his complaints. A game being played at a slowish pace has a fraying temper.
18 min: Bissouma clatters Wissa and Brentford have a free-kick chance. Jensen lobs it up but it falls behind Pinnock. Brentford gaining territory. It’s a but tetchy at the Lane today. Not yet much of an atmosphere.
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15 min: Mark Wagstaff: “Good morning, John - greetings from Chicago. 2 related comments - lots of chat on US coverage about Ivan Toney’s lengthy ban, but not a word on the nature of the shirt sponsor. I don’t condone breaking the betting rules, but the ubiquity of betting ads seems dissonant. Also, betting aside, what the hell is going on with those Brentford’ shirts.”
Jeremy Dresner: “A final outing for this season’s Brentford’s away kit. It is reminiscent of a 90s magic eye and must be confusing to face. Is it the most artistically confusing looking kit of all time? Must be competition in that any ideas?”
13 min: Ben Davies, one of football’s most anonymous yet high class defenders, is last man as he comes to stop a Brentford attack.
11 min: Brentford want to make a game of this but Son and Kane, the old firm, the successors to Hoddle and Waddle, Gilly and Greavsie, almost link up. David Raya, wanted by Spurs is asked to make two saves.
9 min: This was Glenn Hoddle’s last goal for Tottenham. Kane still has time for a few others before it’s over but look at that, and take in the majesty of Brian Moore as a commentator.
8 min: A goal to say farewell to the Lane? We shall see.
Goal! Tottenham 1-0 Brentford (Kane, 7)
Skipp is fouled as he attempts to play the ball out wide. Kane’s name sung as she shapes to take the free-kick…and it flies in…..bullied in. Kane at his best. Like Shearer at his best.
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5 min: Panic in the Spurs box, cleared by Lenglet but an offside flag is also waved.
4 min: Early sighter for Mbeumo after Rico Henry’s run from deep. It’s a swinger and it goes into the kop behind that Tottenham Hotspur Stadium goal.
3 min: Spurs have been in Europe the last 14 years we are reminded. Brentford are yet to play European football in their club history.
1 min: Brentford kick off, having never won away at Tottenham. It’s sunny on the Tottenham High Road as Spurs begin by passing the ball slowly. Very slowly. But eventually, David Raya saves down low as Kulusevski shoots low and from an angle.
The teams are in the tunnel, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium PA is blaring out. All eyes on Harry Kane.
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As it’s the final home match of the season, Daniel Levy has been writing to Tottenham supporters in the club programme.
This has been an immensely difficult season. We made footballing decisions over recent seasons based on ambition and a desire to bring success to our club and they have not delivered what we had hoped.
“Your frustration has been understandable and all of us at the club have shared it. We have undertaken a thorough and rigorous review of our footballing operations. Scott Munn joins us in the summer as our new chief football officer and we look forward to sharing further news with you post-season.
“We shall spend the period ahead of next season working relentlessly to position our club for on-pitch success and football you will love to come and watch. Every element of the club’s operations is geared toward delivering that.
It’s going to be a summer of significant change at Tottenham.
Pontus Jansson, outgoing Brentford captain – he leaves the club after next week – spoke to BT Sport, and on the subject of Ivan Toney.
For me, as his captain and teammate, the most important thing is to remember there is a person behind all of this. Of course he was emotional and sad. He took it hard.
“The most important thing is to be there, as a person, and us as a club. I’m sure he will come back stronger but at the moment we have to support him and give him love. He is one of the main players in the team. We have a togetherness in the club and everyone will help Ivan.
Ivan Toney has had an “emotional” reaction to his ban, according to Thomas Frank, from whom more in a bit.
Forgotten man Yves Bissouma starts for Tottenham, while Arnaut Danjuma makes a first start, in for Pedro Porro. Dejan Kulusevski is in for the sadly disappointing Richarlison. One change for Brentford, Mikkel Damsgaard replaced by Frank Onyeka. with Mbeumo, Schade and Wissa up front as an attacking trio. Thomas Frank looks to be going for it.
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The teams
Tottenham Hotspur: Forster, Emerson, Sanchez, Lenglet, Danjuma, Skipp, Bissouma, Davies, Kulusevski, Kane, Son. Subs: Richarlison, Perisic, Dier, Porro, Tanganga, Lucas Moura, Sarr, Austin, Craig.
Brentford: Raya, Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Onyeka, Janelt, Jensen, Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade. Subs: Dasilva, Jorgensen, Ghoddos, Ajer, Strakosha, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Roerslev, Trevitt.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia)
Preamble
That these two London teams kick off four points apart – seventh and ninth.- speaks to how good a season each club has had. Without Harry Kane, Spurs would surely be below Brentford in the table and there is the possibility that this is the final home league game the great man plays for the club. This is one for the body language experts, let’s see how he waves off at the end. But before that, Tottenham take on a Brentford team who will be without Ivan Toney, banned until January for those betting breaches. For Thomas Frank, a name linked with the managerial vacancy at Tottenham, there’s the chance to see what life will be like without Toney and perhaps what may be on off at Spurs. Spurs could do a lot worse than taking on Frank, though it feels like the summer could be a typical odyssey in finding a new manager. Ryan Mason is still the man in charge for now.
Kick-off is 12.30pm Haringey time. Join me.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 35 | 61 | 85 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 36 | 41 | 81 |
| 3 | Newcastle | 36 | 35 | 69 |
| 4 | Man Utd | 35 | 10 | 66 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 36 | 28 | 65 |
| 6 | Brighton | 35 | 18 | 58 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 36 | 6 | 57 |
| 8 | Aston Villa | 36 | 4 | 57 |
| 9 | Brentford | 36 | 9 | 53 |
| 10 | Fulham | 36 | 3 | 51 |
| 11 | Chelsea | 35 | -5 | 43 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 36 | -9 | 43 |
| 13 | Wolverhampton | 36 | -22 | 40 |
| 14 | AFC Bournemouth | 36 | -32 | 39 |
| 15 | West Ham | 36 | -14 | 37 |
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 36 | -31 | 34 |
| 17 | Everton | 36 | -24 | 32 |
| 18 | Leeds | 36 | -25 | 31 |
| 19 | Leicester | 36 | -18 | 30 |
| 20 | Southampton | 36 | -35 | 24 |
