Tottenham secured just their second home league win of the season as they beat Brentford 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Richarlison gave Spurs the lead in the 25th minute as he tapped home from Simons’ low cross.
Simons, starting his first game in a month, then doubled Tottenham’s advantage before half-time with a superb solo goal.
Mohammed Kudus was denied a goal after the break, but Tottenham held on to relieve the pressure on Thomas Frank.
Standard Sport’s Sam Tabuteau picks out three key talking points from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Simons shines on rare start
It’s been a slow start to life at Tottenham for Xavi Simons but, starting his first game in a month, the Dutchman showed his quality as Frank’s men earned a much needed win.
All the talk pre-match had been about whether he could nail down a starting berth on the left of Tottenham’s attack, with Frank admitting there was competition for minutes.
However, it was on the right where Simons shone, racing onto Pedro Porro’s clipped pass before crossing for Richarlison to tap home.
An impassioned gesture to the Tottenham supporters, who only a week earlier had been showering their players with boos, showed where Simons’ head was at.
He was in the mood and continued to drive Tottenham forward, doubling their lead with a superb solo goal right before half-time.
The 22-year-old started the move with a well-timed interception before driving from inside his own half and finishing coolly past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Simons was everywhere, whether it was driving through the middle or drifting into the right channel, and he gave Tottenham the spark in possession they have so sorely lacked this season.
Atmosphere turns as Tottenham secure second home league win of the season.
What a difference a week makes in the world of football.
Tottenham’s players were roundly booed during their 2-1 defeat to Fulham last Saturday, but they left the pitch at half-time against Brentford to applause after a dominant opening 45 minutes.
Brentford looked to have the measure of Tottenham early on as the Bees dealt comfortably with a number of crosses into the area.
However, goals from Richarlison and Simons gave Tottenham a commanding half-time lead, and the home crowd responded with a rousing show of support as the players walked into the tunnel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
How Thomas Frank needed that after his war of words with the Tottenham supporters this week.
His side secured just their second home league win of the season and looked good for the three points as they limited Brentford to just one shot on target.
This was a statement performance as much as it was a greatly needed three points, and Tottenham’s supporters showed their appreciation in what could prove to be a turning point in their relationship with Frank after a difficult past couple of months.
Mature Gray performance provides the answer in midfield for Frank
Frank was remarkably honest in his pre-match press conference when stating that he did not know his best team.
There are a number of positions where the Dane still does not know who he trusts, but in midfield, he may just have found the answer.
Archie Gray, starting just his third league game, has been in and out of the side under Frank.
Used in a variety of positions this season, his versatility has been something of a curse for the teenager, but he impressed at the heart of Tottenham’s midfield as they dominated Brentford.
Brentford had looked to make their presence felt physically in the opening stages, but Gray, who dovetailed nicely with Rodrigo Bentancur, grew into the game as Tottenham battled their way to a vital three points.
This was a mature display from the 19-year-old, and he will hope it is the start of more minutes in his preferred position.
On an afternoon of overwhelming positives for Tottenham, their tireless work out of possession represented a major improvement from their previously languid performances at home.
Gray was at the centre of Tottenham’s industrious display, and he may just have solved Frank’s selection dilemma in the centre of the park.
