Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 2-0 away win at Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur are finally back to winning ways in the Premier League after six defeats and a draw on the bounce, picking up an unlikely three points away to Brentford.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match:

Boring old game… about time too, Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou will say it’s not the way Tottenham want to play – and that’s okay. It’s acceptable to buckle to the reality of the current injury crisis by playing a little more defensively and disciplined. As long as the players know what is expected of them in the grand scheme of things, you take a win and a clean sheet away to Brentford all day long.

Pedro Porro and Djed Spence played more like full-backs in a standard back four this afternoon, while Ben Davies and Archie Gray weren’t afraid to go long if the moment called for it. I never thought I’d be happy to have watched a classic fusion of Mourinho and Conte-ball, but there we have it. Tottenham Hotspur are up to the dizzying heights of 14th in the Premier League table.

Stopping the rot ahead of a big week

Going into the Liverpool match after an eighth Premier League game without a win would not have been ideal – let’s be honest.

More than that, earning a clean sheet against one of the top scorers in the Premier League will give Spurs a huge confidence boost ahead of a daunting Anfield trip. After all, a clean sheet against Mo Salah and co – however unlikely – would see Tottenham reach the final of the Carabao Cup.

Even in the bigger picture, it was important for Spurs to grab all three points today in whatever fashion possible. At least Ange Postecoglou can sleep a little easier in terms of his job security for a week or two.

Postecoglou is more comfortable using Dane Scarlett

Will Lankshear played a combined ten minutes of Premier League football this season before being sent out on loan to West Brom. Dane Scarlett has already surpassed that in one single game. With Scarlett having a couple of years on Lankshear and a lot more senior professional football experience, it appears that Postecoglou is more comfortable throwing him on for the final 20 minutes of matches.

This was much-needed today because Richarlison, who is not long back from an injury spell, looked shattered after 70 minutes on the pitch. Hopefully, Dane can take these chances with both hands. Who knows, maybe he can even be the hero against Liverpool next week!

Djed Spence Man of the Match for Tottenham

Without a doubt, Djed Spence was Man of the Match today. Like we said before, Tottenham’s two full-backs were far more reserved today, which is why the Lilywhites managed to grind out a rare clean sheet. However, Spence had the tough task of marking one of the best players of the season in Bryan Mbeumo – and he almost marked him out of the game.

Not only is Spence fast of foot, but he’s a strong lad too, using his body well to ease Mbeumo aside on more than one race down the channel. Not only that, but Spence showed so much quality on the ball in the build-up and even cleared a shot off the line minutes before Tottenham scored their second. He earned that Spurs win in more ways than one today. Well done, Djed!

Ben Davies deserves credit

Of course, Archie Gray has been getting a lot of credit of late and he deserves every bit of it. But, let’s talk about his centre-back partner Ben Davies for a moment today. Coming back into the side to replace the injured Radu Dragusin, Davies barely put a foot wrong today, living up to his Mr Reliable nickname.

Arguably, the Welshman is a better passer of the ball than Dragusin and maybe even Micky Van de Ven on that left side, having played left-back most of his career. Not only that, but he headed away so many dangerous crosses throughout the 90 – something Brentford had clearly highlighted to attack in their game plan. According to FotMob, Davies made ten clearances in the match, nine of those with his head. Using his head on and off the ball, well in, Ben!

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