Here are five things we saw during Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Tottenham returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday afternoon. Following Thursday’s Europa League victory over Elfsborg, Ange Postecoglou made a few changes to his Tottenham XI, bringing in Antonin Kinsky, Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma, and Dejan Kulusevski.
Mikey Moore, an exciting teenager, kept his position in the lineup, although Micky van de Ven did not make the matchday roster. Spurs took the lead on 29 minutes thanks to Vitaly Janelt’s own goal from Son Heung-min’s corner after a very level start to the game, with both teams having several shots on goal denied.
Brentford increased the pressure after the break and went close through Yoane Wissa, who touched the top of the crossbar from close range, before Lucas Bergvall shot barely wide for the visitors. Tottenham managed to keep Brentford at away before sealing the victory minutes later, as Pape Matar Sarr tucked the ball through Hakon Valdimarsson’s knees at the near post following a precise through ball from Son.
Here are five things we saw during the match at the Gtech Community Stadium:
The Bergvall decision.
Bergvall was finally given a well-deserved break after playing so much football for Tottenham recently. Prior to Sunday’s encounter at Brentford, the Swede had started every Premier League game in 2025 and the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Due to a dearth of midfield options, Postecoglou was forced to start Bergvall in the aforementioned games, with his most recent appearance as a substitute coming away at Tamworth in the FA Cup. Bergvall has recently been a well-deserved starter for Tottenham, providing a rare bright spot in a season when their form has been so inconsistent.
However, he was constantly in need of recuperation after playing a large number of minutes in a short period of time. Yves Bissouma’s return to fitness made it feasible on Sunday at the Gtech Community Stadium, while Bergvall joined Sarr on the bench.
The Stockholm-born star would only be on the bench for 45 minutes, replacing Moore at halftime, underscoring his importance and worth to the squad right now. However, 45 minutes of recuperation is preferable to nothing after a demanding schedule of late, and it should mean that the starlet will be well rested for Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.
He was crucial in the first leg, and he could be again in the second.
Postecoglou’s Danso verdict
Sunday began in the greatest possible way for Tottenham, with the signing of Kevin Danso from Lens. The centre-back joined on an initial loan contract until the end of the season and will become a permanent Spurs player in the summer due to a buy requirement in the agreement between the two clubs.
The arrival of a centre-back came one day before the transfer deadline, but Spurs needed a defender due to a number of ailments in the position. Speaking with Sky Sports ahead of the game, Postecoglou gave his thoughts on the transfer and explained what the Austria international will bring to his team.
“Brilliant (to get him). “I believe Kevin will be an excellent fit for us,” stated the 59-year-old. “We’ve been a little short in the back for a while, and he’s just very experienced, a good one-on-one defender.
“As I’ve already stated, bringing in new players gives us and the group enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to him joining the group.”
This is a significant boost for Spurs, and hopefully it will elevate everyone’s spirits ahead of two huge games against Liverpool and Aston Villa next week. Postecoglou has shown at Tottenham that he is not hesitant to put a fresh acquisition into the starting lineup, and Danso’s debut at Anfield is not out of the question.
Gray was targeted.
Archie Gray may have lined up against Tottenham had things gone differently in the summer. Spurs made a late bid for the highly-rated kid, persuading him to sign on the dotted line in north London rather than Brentford.
Tottenham’s involvement was significant, and it could prove to be a watershed moment in the years to come, with the 18-year-old now prospering in Postecoglou’s side. Brentford fans haven’t forgotten Gray’s U-turn, and he was booed whenever he touched the ball early in the game.
Gray, on the other hand, remains unconcerned and continues to do his job at the back for Tottenham. He did make a crucial save midway through the first half, preventing Kevin Schade from testing Kinsky after the Brentford star had gotten the better of Pedro Porro in the box.
Spence stars.
The contest for the left-back position will be quite exciting once Destiny Udogie returns to full fitness. Spence has stepped in admirably during the Italian’s absence, establishing himself as one of Postecoglou’s first choices on the roster.
His performances since joining the squad have only sparked doubts about why he was not on the head coach’s roster at the start of the season. Spence was brilliant in Sunday’s game at Brentford, making life extremely tough for Bryan Mbeumo and producing a crucial block on his own line from Fabio Carvalho in the final minutes before Sarr’s goal.
One of the Premier League’s outstanding players this season, the Bees ace was limited to very little throughout the game thanks to Spence’s excellent defensive play against him. The ex-Nottingham Forest player also impressed going forward with his ball-carrying abilities, which Spurs have lacked in recent games while he has been on the bench.
When the final whistle blew, Spurs teammate James Maddison claimed that Spence was “MOTM by a country mile”. He wrote, “So proud of the boys watching that away performance!!” Djed Spence is by far the best player. Coysssss”. Tottenham’s No.10 was not incorrect.
The anticipated return of Udogie will be a great help for Postecoglou and Spurs, but Spence should not be sent to the bench right once. Whether he starts at left-back or in his natural position on the right, the manager must ensure that the 24-year-old continues to receive adequate playing time because he is so crucial to the squad. He is a Tottenham player who cannot be dropped right now.
At last!
The wait for Tottenham’s Premier League victory is finally over. Since gaining three points at Southampton midway through December, everyone associated with the club has had to be extremely patient over the last seven weeks, with their results being so disappointing at times.
Spurs won at the Gtech Community Stadium for the first time since Brentford was promoted to the Premier League in 2021, after three consecutive draws. Given Tottenham’s problems on the road this season, as well as Brentford’s superb home success (only losing three of their 12 games before to Sunday), the victory in west London was enormous and impressive.
It was also an ideal outcome going into next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool. Spurs’ win against Brentford will give them a massive confidence boost, which might make all the difference come Thursday evening.
