Brentford 3-0 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened

Submitted by daniel on Sat, 22/08/2026 - 17:30

Key events

Jacob Steinberg was at the Gtech Community Stadium. Here’s his report. Thanks for reading this MBM.

Keith Andrews talks to Sky Sports. “As good as I was feeling about where we were, you never truly know … so I’m really happy with what we produced … it was us from the first whistle … intensive … relentless … individual quality and personality … but underlined with that togetherness that we have in abundance … I think [Mamadou Sangaré] is a top player, the one we were after in the window … he deserves a lot of credit … he could have gone elsewhere for a few more bob but he recognised this would be a good place for him to come … he’s settled quite nicely! … when you bring in a really good player, it brings the level of the team up … that’s not to underestimate what we already had … it’s a long, long season and we need strength in depth … there are going to be bumps in the road … we’re going to try to enjoy the journey … the plan is to get better … keep pushing … keep striving … today is just the start hopefully.”

Archie Gray, who at 20 became Tottenham’s youngest-ever captain this evening, fronts up on Sky. “It was simple really … we lost too many duels … they just outfought us all over the park … we need to watch it back … for whatever reason we weren’t up for the fight as they were … that’s on us … the fans were incredible and for us to let them down like that on the first game, there’s not really words for it … we need to bounce back from that … I don’t think there’s any excuses to be honest … we’ll all look ourselves in the mirror.”

Roberto De Zerbi speaks to Sky. “We suffered the physicality … we knew that before the game … we were not ready to fight in the duels … we made a lot of mistakes in the timing of the pressure … with Mikey Moore on the left … we arrived too many times late … then we lost too many duels to compete with Brentford … I am sorry for that … I am sorry for the defeat … we have to improve our physical condition … in the organisation … there were many new players … it is the first game … a part of our journey … we knew before the game … too many … a lot of new players … to become a team … there was the soul … but in the end we didn’t fight in the right way … Brentford is one of the most important teams in the Premier League in terms of duels … we were not in the right position to make the pressure … like I said, with Mikey Moore … if you analyse the game, you can see how many duels we lost in the first half … we didn’t play well … we didn’t fight in the right way … all the players are good people … the first XI was able to compete … I don’t lose confidence in my players … we have to work … improve … analyse better to find the improvement … we cannot destroy everything because we are working well … we are improving the physical condition for sure … we need to find the spirit to fight … I did not expect this result but I knew the problems.”

The final xG: Brentford 3.96, Tottenham Hotspur 0.47. As for the table … well, it might not mean too much at the moment, but try telling that to Brentford, because they’re joint top with the champions. Spurs fans meanwhile are advised to concentrate on the first clause of that statement. There’s a long way to go, and plenty of time for everyone to get to know each other.

Post-match postbag. “It will be lost amongst everything else that’s been going on, but the decision to not give a penalty to Brentford right before their third goal is horrendous. Basically Oliver and VAR have now said this season shirt pulling is allowed. Except you know that’s not how it works and next week someone will get a pen for the slightest of tugs. The inconsistency is what aggravates me the most” – Espen B

“Bentancur helpfully ensuring Romero isn’t missed. What a team player!” – Matt Dony

“Any player coming to Spurs, whether he’s a big signing or just a ground staff boy, must be dedicated to the game and to the club. He must never be satisfied with his last performance, and he must hate losing” – Bill Nicholson (via Grant Tennille)

“The mistaken identity incident was certainly more baffling than the abject Dundee United performance which sadly has become commonplace under Jim Goodwin. The opening-day draw against Rangers has been followed by two 4-0 defeats and now this. I’m sensing a shoogly peg” – Simon McMahon (whose beloved Dundee United lost the Dundee derby 2-0)

Nathan Collins talks to Sky Sports. “We wanted to fucking … sorry! … show people what we’re made of … last season it hurt, we were one point off [Europe] … this year we’ve added quality … good people to the squad.” Collins is then asked about Mamadou Sangaré, who is standing next to him. He grins and quips: “He’s alright! He started OK, huh? We want more from him though! More goals, more tackles, huh?!” Both players grinning widely, big buddies already.

Then it’s Sangaré’s turn to speak. “It’s really good … since my first day here, everybody was really good with me … so it’s good to start with a win … I hope we can continue like that … it’s everything I can say, really!” Sangaré is then given the player of the match award, and charms the nation: “I think this is for all the team, everyone worked hard … but thank you, thank you, thank you!” To repeat: a new Premier League star is born.

Roberto De Zerbi goes over to clap the Spurs fans. He has the good grace to look sheepish. He doesn’t get much back, and one punter in a Spurs top stands, arms spread out, palms up, top lip kinked quizzically, the internationally recognised pose for What The Eff Was That?! But while this story can’t not be about Tottenham – they were abysmal, and everything’s gong to be viewed through the lens of their summer spending spree – it really should be mainly Brentford focused. The Bees were superb to a man, though one stood out, the debutant Mamadou Sangaré, who modestly claps the Brentford support before being shoved forward by Michael Kayode, who makes sure his new mate receives his flowers. What a cheer Sangaré’s given! And he’s worth it, having set up two goals and buzzed around a pitch that he quickly made his own. A new Premier League star is born.

FULL TIME: Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Brentford beat Spurs at home for the first time since Bill Nicholson’s playing days.

Updated at 20.25 CEST

Thiago misses penalty

Updated at 19.57 CEST

Penalty for Brentford!

Updated at 19.55 CEST

Updated at 19.40 CEST

GOAL! Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Kayode 48)

… but it doesn’t matter, because from the resulting corner, hit long from the right, Collins heads down for Sangare, who pearls an instant shot goalwards. Kinsky parries, a decent save from a well-struck shot, but the ball drops for Kayode, who roofs the loose ball from a couple of yards!

Updated at 19.47 CEST

Updated at 19.38 CEST

Brentford get the second half underway. Spurs have made two changes, replacing Bergvall and Gallagher with Fernandes and Bentancur. Spurs now have five debutants on the pitch.

The reports are in from the earlier Premier League games. Get clicking, but don’t forget to come back now.

Hull City 2-0 Manchester United

Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace

Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United

Half-time postbag: Spurs sorrow special. “Have to say Spurs look absolutely miles off it so far although Brentford have been excellent. If anything, this looks as bad as last season’s Spurs. At least there are 37 games left to improve” – Martin Gamage

“Last season Spurs were lousy, and they will not be better this season, just like Manchester United. It is an utter disgrace, and also a reflection on society, that players like Tonali are bought for 100 million and yet so many people live in poverty in England” – Jeff Sax

“Gotta admire Tottenham’s resilience; despite failing to get relegated two years on the bounce they finally look like a proper Championship team” – Dave Estherby

“In the as-it-stands table, Spurs are currently 17th. The more things change…” – Kári Tulinius

“Dear old Spurs. I’m sure we all wish them well, but perhaps if they’re to be humbled again this season, better it be kept out of sight? Sympathetic MBMers would, I think, be happier were you to devote the afternoon entirely to, say, Simon McMahon’s posts from the Dundee derby. Probably also Spurs supporters” – Charles Antaki

(It’s goalless at Tannadice at the moment.)

Updated at 19.22 CEST

HALF TIME: Brentford 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

At the risk of belabouring an obvious point: Brentford look like a team who have been together for a good while; Tottenham do not. Roberto De Zerbi disappears down the tunnel with a face on.

Updated at 19.20 CEST

GOAL! Brentford 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Janelt 33)

Richarlison is robbed 35 yards from his own goal. Jensen drives forward and sends a swerving shot at Kinsky, who parries … and tees up Janelt, who can’t miss from six yards. This scoreline doesn’t flatter Brentford at all.

Updated at 19.07 CEST

Link

Brentford 3-0 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened - The Guardian

The Guardian