Tottenham Hotspur survived a huge early scare to end a two-game losing run in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over London rivals Brentford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After Bryan Mbeumo needed a matter of seconds to break the deadlock, first-time scorer Dominic Solanke and the revitalised Brennan Johnson replied in the first half, before James Maddison laid any doubts to rest with a few minutes remaining.
During a weekend of dramatic thunderstorms across the UK, lightning appropriately struck twice for Brentford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the first half of their loss to Manchester City last week was replicated almost to a tee.
Indeed, Mbeumo left the home crowd dumbfounded with a stunning volley after just 23 seconds of the match, but the Cameroonian had inadvertently poked the Ange Postecoglou bear, as Spurs fired back through two popular scorers.
Solanke's first goal for the Lilywhites - a straightforward tap-in - preceded Johnson's second in as many matches, and there was often no way out for Thomas Frank's side before the half-time whistle blew.
The hosts could and probably should have put the game to bed in the first 45, and they were incredibly fortunate not to lose goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario early in the second half, as the officials missed the Italian handling the ball outside the area.
To rub salt into the wounds, Vicario then made a couple of crucial saves to preserve Spurs' slender lead, before Maddison - who had been terrific all afternoon - produced a delicate dink to wrap up a much-needed win for Tottenham.
Spurs' victory temporarily lifts them back into the top half of the table in 10th place, leapfrogging Brentford in the process, as the Bees slip to 12th but will certainly have a thing or two to say about the Vicario incident.
TOTTENHAM VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS
Bryan Mbeumo goal vs. Tottenham (1st min, Tottenham 0-1 Brentford)
Death, taxes, and Brentford scoring within the first minute of a match! After Yoane Wissa - out of Saturday's game through injury - needed just 22 seconds to break the deadlock against Man City, his partner in crime Mbeumo now takes a mere 23 to silence Spurs!
Frank's side waste no time in attacking the Tottenham defence, and Keane Lewis-Potter sends in a terrific cross into the Spurs box, where Mbeumo wraps his left foot around the ball and fires in an exquisite volley into the top corner.
Micky van de Ven certainly could have got tighter to the Cameroonian, but take nothing away from the astounding finish. A penny for Postecoglou's thoughts...
Dominic Solanke goal vs. Brentford (8th min, Tottenham 1-1 Brentford)
© Imago
Taking a leaf out of Manchester City's book, Tottenham waste no time in getting back on level terms after Brentford's first-minute opener, and Solanke finally opens his Lilywhites account.
Maddison picks up a poor pass from Ethan Pinnock and forces a save from Mark Flekken, who can only parry the ball into the path of Solanke, and the £65m could not have wished for an easier first Tottenham goal.
Brennan Johnson goal vs. Brentford (28th min, Tottenham 2-1 Brentford)
© Imago
Deja vu for the visitors, delight for the Lilywhites! After his critical goal for Spurs in their midweek EFL Cup win over Coventry City, Johnson again completes the Tottenham turnaround.
The Welshman comfortably evades the attention of Nathan Collins on the right-hand side, and his low strike fizzes into the far side of the net. No matter who you support, it is hard not to smile at Johnson's brilliant week after his extremely tough time.
Guglielmo Vicario possible red card vs. Brentford (58th minute, Tottenham 2-1 Brentford)
© Imago
Guglielmo Vicario is a lucky, lucky boy. The Tottenham goalkeeper makes a real meal of trying to pluck the ball out of the air and appears to deliberately handle outside the area during a desperate flapping episode.
However, referee John Brooks does nothing - apart from booking Frank and Kristoffer Ajer for their protests - and there is no intervention from the VAR room either.
James Maddison goal vs. Brentford (85th minute, Tottenham 3-1 Brentford)
You could have cut the tension inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a knife, but playmaker-in-chief Maddison puts the result beyond any reasonable doubt with five minutes of normal time remaining!
Spurs turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye, and a rapid counter-attack ends with Son Heung-min teeing up Maddison to calmly chip the ball over the onrushing Flekken. Three points in the bag.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JAMES MADDISON
© Imago
Both Maddison and Son - who ended the derby with two assists to his name - were standout candidates for the man of the match prize, but the Englishman just shades it on this occasion, having looked more like the player he was 12 months ago.
In addition to his well-taken goal, which calmed growing nerves in North London, Maddison created three chances, drew four fouls and won 10 ground duels in a masterful midfield performance, just when Spurs were crying out for some creativity.
TOTTENHAM VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham 48%-52% Brentford
Shots: Tottenham 23-6 Brentford
Shots on target: Tottenham 10-6 Brentford
Corners: Tottenham 9-4 Brentford
Fouls: Tottenham 11-9 Brentford
BEST STATS
1 - Brentford are just the second team in Premier League history to score in the first minute of back-to-back games, along with Man City in February 2019 (Agüero v Newcastle & Arsenal). Prepared. pic.twitter.com/Rz0ZWy8YUt
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2024
Son Heung-min created seven chances against Brentford, the joint most that he has ever created in a Premier League game.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 21, 2024
And he provided two assists. 🅰️🅰️#TOTBRE pic.twitter.com/b6GjNs3Uor
WHAT NEXT?
Continental matters now take centre stage for Tottenham, who host Qarabag in Thursday's Europa League opener before resuming Premier League action with a blockbuster meeting against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 29.
Meanwhile, Brentford have a full week to rest up before they go again in another London derby, hosting West Ham United at the Gtech Community Stadium next Saturday.
Ben Knapton
