Follow live as the opening round of the Premier League season continues.
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Tottenham fans share their thoughts: ‘Somehow worse than last year’
Plenty of Tottenham fans have been sharing their (understandably negative) views on what they've seen so far over in the discussion tab.
- Noah J: “Somehow, this is worse than last year.”
- Brent S: “So far, the only positive point is that most of these players won’t be starting regularly.”
- Tim P: “Spurs proof you can spend money and it doesn't mean a thing if you don't know how to spend it.”
- Jack C: “We need those attacking signings ASAP.”
It didn't take long for any pre-season optimism to plummet...
A pretty sobering first half for Tottenham, who were comfortably second best against a Brentford side that displayed all the chemistry and cohesion that comes with a settled first XI.
It may be the first and last time we ever see this particular Spurs line-up, and Tottenham are still awaiting several attacking additions, and for Pedro Porro, James Maddison, and summer signing Mateus Fernandes to return from injury, but there were not many positives to take from that 45.
HALF-TIME: Brentford 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
That's a disappointing half for Tottenham to say the least.
So much for a fresh start in the new season — Brentford look comfortable and go into the break with a commanding lead.
45' Brentford 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Tonali booming a volley over on 40 minutes sums Spurs up right now. For all the money they have spent in midfield, him included, they are being completely overrun.
Gallagher does not look comfortable at No 10, while Richarlison found himself in a mismatch trying to receive the ball to feet from Kinsky, with that turnover leading to Brentford’s second.
I’m seeing a lot of running from the visitors but much less coordinated pressing — Andrews has Janelt drop between the centre-backs sometimes to stretch opponents and let Ajer and Collins play wider. Two-thirds of Brentford’s long passes have found a teammate, and the aerial duels won stat alone tells the story of the match: Brentford 11-5 Spurs.
A famous face in the crowd
Well, there's one man I didn't expect to see at the Gtech Community Stadium today.
The camera has just panned to the expensive seats where Jon Bon Jovi is sat.
He's a big Arsenal fan so I'm sure he will have enjoyed Brentford's goals!
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39' Brentford 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs look completely disjointed and Brentford's second goal will leave Roberto De Zerbi feeling embarassed.
Richarlison was easily outmuscled, Lucas Bergvall's attempt at a clever piece of skill backfired and to top it all off Antonin Kinsky palmed a shot straight into the path of Vitaly Janelt.
There has been no attacking thrust and De Zerbi will surely be tempted to bring on £85m new signing Mateus Fernandes at half-time.
Spurs offering so little in attack
35' Brentford 2-0 Tottenham
Just over half an hour into this game and Spurs have so far really struggled to get up the pitch.
They've had two shots, both off target, one touch in the Brentford box and their xG is down at 0.05.
This rebuilt team will take time to gel, of course, but at the moment it's been horrible viewing for Tottenham fans. Brentford have been by far the better team and deserve their two-goal lead.
GOAL! Brentford make it two
32' Brentford 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
There's the second!
Brentford have been the better side in this half and they get their reward via Janelt, who follows up after Kinsky failed to adequately deal with Jensen's shot from range.
Le Bris bemoans ‘cruel’ result
Sunderland's Regis Le Bris clearly feels his side didn't deserve their narrow defeat against Ipswich today when speaking to Sky Sports.
💬 “The result is a bit cruel because we dominated the ball but dominating possession doesn't mean you win the game. They were well organised and ready to exploit our turnovers. Now it is about us, we have to show more composure.
“Our goal was a nice goal, happy for him but it is still a defeat. We will try to analyse quickly this defeat to go forward.”
Everton with a welcome win
Everton's win earlier this afternoon was their first on the opening day since the start of the 2021-22 season, when they beat Southampton 3-1.
Iliman Ndiaye remains a key player for David Moyes, picking up where he left off last season with another assist today. He has more Premier League goal involvements than any over player for Everton since he joined the club in 2024 with 19 (15 goals, four assists).
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Spurs second best to lively Brentford
24' Brentford 1-0 Tottenham
Almost a second for Brentford with a smart set-piece routine, going short to Lewis-Potter and (somehow) sneaking their giant centre-backs, Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins, around the back post as crossing targets. Lewis-Potter’s cross is flicked on to the offside Igor Thiago, who excelled up top for Keith Andrews last season.
It’s been one-way traffic in the opening 20 minutes. Brentford are pressing man-to-man and shutting down Spurs’ deep build-up, and being direct with the ball to Thiago and Kevin Schade.
There has been real variety to their set pieces — as always — including long throws and one clever corner which was clipped to the edge of the box for a Lewis-Potter volley. Always an interesting watch from a tactical perspective.
Sangare proves his worth
22' Brentford 1-0 Tottenham
It didn't take long for Mamadou Sangare to live up to his club-record price tag.
That was a brilliant exchange of passes with Ouattara and he put it on a plate for Lewis-Potter.
What a lovely goal from Brentford. Spurs look completely overrun in midfield.
The perfect start for Brentford
18' Brentford 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
That was a tidy move for Brentford’s opening goal. They are never shy to be incisive and take risks to get the ball in the box, on this occasion making the most of Spurs not having sufficient pressure on the ball as they defend in a back five.
A one-two splits the visitors and club-record signing Mamadou Sangare rolls a cutback for left winger Keane Lewis-Potter, who darted into the box and tucked a finish past Antonin Kinsky.
Everton with another home win against Palace
Everton have won their opening Premier League game of the season for the first time since August 2021 (3-1 against Southampton), having lost their last four games without scoring before today.
They were victorious with their second-youngest (on average, 25 years and 308 days old) starting XI in the league in David Moyes' second spell.
Familiar players did the damage, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scoring nine of his 12 Premier League goals since joining the club at the start of last season, with no Everton player scoring more in that time.
Iliman Ndiaye, who set up Thierno Barry's header, has more Premier League goal involvements for Everton than anyone since his debut in 2024-25 (15 goals, four assists).
GOAL! Lewis-Potter gives Brentford the lead
12' Brentford 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
That's how to get your season started!
Brentford have been on top since kick-off and new signing Mamadou Sangare gets the key pass to play in Keane Lewis-Potter for the opener.
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Brentford look dangerous
8' Brentford 0-0 Tottenham
Brentford only played two games in pre-season, but they did score 11 goals across those matches.
That included a 7-0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt this time last week featuring five different scorers.
So we can expect Spurs' new-look defence to be busy today — and the opening few minutes of this game have proven as much.
Brentford have started promisingly.
4' Brentford 0-0 Tottenham
Brentford's Keane Lewis-Potter just tried to replicate Paul Scholes' famous volley straight from a corner for Manchester United.
Good strike, good technique, but it is blocked. That could have been a goal of the season contender!
3' Brentford 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
A nice free kick whipped in by Jensen for Brentford is turned behind by Robertson but that one could have gone anywhere such was the pace on it.
Brentford make good use of the resulting corner, sending a dangerous ball in which Spurs clear before Jensen found Collins for a header just wide of the post.
KICK-OFF: Final game of the day underway!
1' Brentford 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
It's a lovely sunny afternoon in west London and we are underway for Brentford vs Tottenham.
Let's see what these two have in the tank for this season opener.