Tottenham won their first Premier League game since before Christmas in a vital 2-0 victory away to Brentford, easing the pressure on under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs took the lead when Son Heung-min’s corner was inadvertently turned into his own net by Vitaly Janelt after stand-in goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson missed his punch.
They had to weather an almighty Brentford storm in the second half but came through unscathed, before substitute Pape Matar Sarr poked home a second, sealing a result that could prove to be a turning point in their season.
Here, Express Sport assesses how Spurs’ stars performed at the Gtech.
Tottenham player ratings vs Brentford (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Antonin Kinsky – 6
Got the ball caught under his feet early doors, leading to a big chance for Yoane Wissa. He was similarly unconvincing when a Christian Norgaard ball was clipped into the box, which was palmed back into action but Brentford could not capitalise. Did come away with a clean sheet, however.
Defence
Pedro Porro – 6
Kevin Schade proved a tough test and Porro would have been disappointed when the German manoeuvred past him into the box, only for Archie Gray to block his shot well.
Can feel fortunate not to have given away a penalty when he pulled Wissa back inside the area, though the referee nor VAR felt there was enough to award a spot-kick.
Archie Gray – 7
In the backline once again after Postecoglou confirmed that Micky van de Ven’s injury return would be staggered. He came close to signing for Brentford before heading to north London, something the home crowd were keen to remind him about.
Largely dealt with Wissa well and back-to-back clean sheets will go some way to bolstering the teenager’s confidence after Brentford launched over 30 crosses into the box.
Ben Davies – 7
Was the senior man in defence and did plenty to help take the pressure off Gray and Djed Spence either side of him.
Djed Spence – 8
An immense performance after being handed a difficult task up against Bryan Mbeumo, but marshalled Brentford’s talisman well in one-on-one situations, limiting the Cameroonian’s involvement to off-the-ball actions away from that flank.
To cap his day off, he cleared the ball off the line moments before Sarr’s finish.
Midfield
Dejan Kulusevski – 8
Linked up well with Mikey Moore on the right and should have had an assist when the pair combined, Kulusevski flashed a ball across the entire face of the goal but neither Richarlison nor Son were in position.
Should have doubled their advantage after 54 minutes but hit the side netting when going across goal would have been the better option.
Yves Bissouma – 6
The midfield battle largely went Brentford’s way, especially in the second half, but the returning star made a few important interventions. Replaced by Sarr after 68 minutes.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
Battled well in the second half as Spurs reverted into a rare deep block and allowed Sarr to roam around the pitch when introduced.
Attack
Mikey Moore – 7
Fresh off scoring his first senior goal against Elfsborg in the Europa League, the 17-year-old was lively and created two good chances by the use of his left foot. He teed up Kulusevski to strike from the penalty spot before curling in a sublime cross that Richarlison nearly finished.
Was replaced at half-time by Lucas Bergvall in a likely planned change but showed plenty of promise in the opening 45 minutes. His new partnership with Kulusevski did not last long but provided a very exciting glimpse into the future.
Richarlison – 6
Earned rave reviews from his team-mates inside his own box when he flung himself to block Mbeumo’s powerful shot with his own head, but more is certainly required going forward.
Son Heung-min – 8
Made a few inroads into the Brentford defence before his corner hit Janelt and ended up in the back of the home net. Then was provider once again as the captain slid Sarr in to stab home and confirm the three points.
Substitutes
Lucas Bergvall (45′) – 6
Shifted Kulusevski back onto the right to allow the Swede to have some freedom in midfield, he used that to advanced into the box and nearly got Spurs’ second on the hour mark, but dragged an effort just wide.
Pape Matar Sarr (68′) – 8
Brought on to help deal with Brentford growing more into the game and took considerable pressure off his backline, before bursting forward and finishing smartly for his second goal of the season.
Dane Scarlett (79′) – 6
Unable to replicate his goalscoring heroics in Europe from earlier this week, but provided a much-needed energy as Richarlison began to tire.