Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford was as advertised in North London on Wednesday, as Spurs held on through the final whistle to claim a 3-2 win over the Bees.
Brentford led through Neal Maupay at halftime but conceded three-straight goals within 11 minutes of restart as Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, and Richarlison put Spurs ahead. But Ivan Toney scored late and Tottenham required some Guglielmo Vicario heroics to keep all three points in the home corner.
WATCH TOTTENHAM v BRENTFORD FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham are still without captain Heung-min Son, whose South Korean side are making waves at the AFC Asian Cup, but James Maddison returned to the fold and Tottenham capitalized on Villa’s Tuesday loss to finish the day back in the top four.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
As for Brentford, Thomas Frank again can thank Toney who was a part of both goals. But the Bees are struggling at the back and are just four points off of the bottom three after their 11th loss of the Premier League season.
Timo Werner looking like an Ange type of guy
James Maddison finally returned to the pitch for Spurs, but it was a true new addition who continues to impress as the right kind of player for Ange Postecoglou.
RB Leipzig loanee Timo Werner — the ex-Chelsea flop — is running his shorts off and played a big part in Spurs first two goals.
The German forward was credited with three created chances and five recoveries, and he does plenty more than won’t hit the stat sheet in stretching defenses.
Maddison and Werner — and the soon-to-return Heung-min Son — join Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, and Brennan Johnson in giving Spurs one of the deepest attacking units in the world.
What’s next?
Spurs kick off the Premier League weekend at 7:30am ET Saturday at Everton, while Brentford waits til Monday for an afternoon affair versus Man City.
Tottenham vs Brentford final score: 3-2
Goal: Maupay (15'), Udogie (48'), Johnson (49'), Richarlison (56'), Toney (67'
Tottenham vs Brentford player ratings
(courtesy our friends at fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Brentford player ratings (fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Brentford player ratings (fotmob.com)
Quickfire goals! Udogie, Johnson, Richarlison take hold of game
Spurs found their finish in the halftime team talk.
It’s Timo Werner behind both goals, as Destiny Udogie slots a rebound in the 48th minute and Brennan Johnson only needs one bid to make it 2-1 a minute later.
The Ange Postecoglou experience, everyone. Also, the Bees defending remains a problem, as Richarlison made it three goals in 11 second-half minutes for Spurs.
Neal Maupay goal (video)
Neal Maupay loves stirring the pot, and apparently he’s an equal opportunity North London offender.
Long an Arsenal annoyer with Brighton, Maupay whips out the darts celebration made popular in these parts by James Maddison.
It’s not a lot of marksmanship but poaching, as Ivan Toney’s hard shot is blocked by Guglielmo Vicario only for Maupay to slide the ball inside the near post.
It had been almost all Spurs before that. No matter. 1-0 to the Bees.
How to watch Tottenham vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET, Wednesday (January 31)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Tottenham lineup
COYS! 🤍 pic.twitter.com/qn1wqXjmwv
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 31, 2024
Brentford lineup
🐝 Your Bees to take on Spurs tonight #TOTBRE | #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/fDXNABUPdw
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 31, 2024
Tottenham focus, team news
Spurs are gradually getting back to full fitness with Micky van de Ven and Maddison returning huge for their confidence. Son, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr are still away on international duty but when they return this starting lineup can give anyone a game. It will be intriguing to see if January loan signing Timo Werner starts again as the German striker needs a goal early on in his Spurs career to get him going.
OUT: Heung-min Son (international duty), Yves Bissouma (international duty), Pape Sarr (international duty), Alejo Veliz (knee), Manor Solomon (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Giovani Lo Celso (thigh)
Brentford focus, team news
All of the focus is on Toney, and rightly so, but it’s easy to forget that Brentford have so many key players still out injured with Henry, Mbeumo, Norgaard and Hickey all missing and vital cogs in this well-oiled machine. Thomas Frank has understandably been linked with the soon-to-be-vacant Liverpool job given the fantastic work he’s done at Brentford in recent years and everyone is now expecting the west London club to kick on in the final months of the season and push for a top 10 finish. They currently sit six points above the relegation zone. They should be fine as their counter attacks and set pieces continue to bamboozle opponents.
OUT: Christian Norgaard (ankle), Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Yoane Wissa (international duty), Frank Onyeka (international duty), Saman Ghoddos (international duty), Rico Henry (torn ACL - out for season), Kevin Schade (adductor), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Sergio Reguilon (unable to face parent club)