Tottenham Hotspur bounce back from the North London Derby with a 3-1 victory over Brentford. Spurs ultimately capitalized on their chances while Brentford struggled to match the intensity in key moments.
Match Momentum and Stats Breakdown
Brentford started the match off with another quick goal (are they going to do this to every big team they play??) but Tottenham almost immediately responded and didn’t look back. Tottenham’s goals came from Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison, as they consistently threatened Brentford’s goal, accumulating an xG of 4.15 compared to Brentford’s 1.4. Spurs’ ability to create high-quality chances is evidenced by their 21 shots, with 9 on target, while Brentford managed only 7 shots, with 6 on target. Spurs also had an impressive 54 touches in the box, overwhelming Brentford’s defense.
Shot and Goal Analysis
Tottenham were clinical in front of goal, with a variety of shot locations across the box. Their shot map shows Solanke’s opener from a central position (xG 0.72), and Johnson adding a second with a clever finish (xG 0.09). Maddison’s late goal capped off a superb display (xG 0.10).
Brentford’s only goal came early from Bryan Mbeumo (xG 0.25), who capitalized on a beautiful volley. Despite having 6 shots on target, Brentford lacked the cutting edge to convert further.
Pass Map and Possession Tactics
Tottenham’s pass map reveals a well-structured attack through the central and right-hand channels. James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur were pivotal in pulling the strings, feeding runners like Son Heung-Min and Brennan Johnson. Spurs’ width through Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro allowed them to stretch Brentford’s defense, with both full-backs heavily involved in the build-up play.
The compactness of Brentford’s setup is clear from their pass map, which relied on long passes to Mbeumo and Yarmoliuk for counter-attacks, but they struggled to maintain possession in Tottenham’s half. Brentford tried to stay compact defensively, but the pass map shows their reliance on wide areas, particularly down the left through Lewis-Potter. Though they created some danger in transition, they lacked sustained pressure in the final third.
In the end, Tottenham’s superior creativity and finishing shone through, leaving Brentford chasing shadows for large portions of the game. Spurs’ consistent pressure and high xG showed that they’re a team on the rise this season, while Brentford will need to adjust their tactical approach against top-six sides to avoid being outplayed in the future.