Kane pulled Spurs from abyss with a goal that inspired a comeback as Bees slipped two-goal lead

By Paul Lagan at the Gtech Community Stadium

Brentford 2 v Tottenham Hotspur 2

Brentford let slip a two-goal lead as a Harry Kane-inspired Spurs staged a deserved comeback to share the spoils at the Gtech Community Stadium.

It was an awkward game of football. The early kick-off always skews performances. Add to that the starting line-ups of both sides featured players who were in the World Cup, and it was clear that this was not going to be a typical Premier League encounter.

Štrikers Kane and Ivan Toney, who missed out on World Cup selection were the focal points of the game - both responded by scoring.

Both could count themselves unlucky not to have had more than a goal apiece.

The Bees with their energetic interceptions in midfield frustrated the visitors, who were looking to play in more expansive possession-based style.

It worked for a half and a bit. Then tiredness and Spurs’ greater range of passing took control.

But the away point was earned the hard way.

The opening exchanges were understandably cagey as neither side wanted to give away an early goal.

So it was no surprise it took 12 minutes before an attempt on goal took place, a blocked Harry Kane free kick.

But the home side looked the more energetic going forward and took the lead on 14 minutes when Vitaly Janelt knocked the ball home with his knee from close range after goalkeeper Fraser Forster fumbled a fairly basic save.

Spurs’ number one goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was rested by head coach Antonio Conte - he played in the World Cup final giving Forster his chance to shine.

Spurs first effort on goal came on 25 minutes, a right-footed curler by Son Heung-Min which gave David Raya no problems at all.

Dejan Kulusevski attempted a solo effort, which resulted in a scuffed left-footer, but again Raya he notbtroble and snaffled it.

Min tried a left footer on 29 minutes. This time Raya had to dive well to his right to grab the goalbound effort - which he did successfully.

A snatched effort by Zanka on 35 minutes saw Forster do well to parry the close-range effort away for a corner.

Brentford fans thought that Ivan Toney had pierced the Spurs offside trap, and,after rounding Forster, slotted home to put the Bees 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time. But the striker was adjudged to have slipped offside and the goal was disallowed.

Spurs started the second half as if they were on the receiving end of a few choice words by head coach Antonio Conte at the break.

But when Eric Dier sliced a simple clearance away for a corner, it spelt trouble for the visitors.

A simple corner was then flicked on and Ivan Toney was on hand on the six yard box to tuck the ball home to give the Bees. 2-0 lead on 53 minutes.

Spurs finally got a hold in the game, and it was a fantastic headed effort by Kane who latched onto a deep cross from Clement Lenglet and caressed the ball past Raya on 64 minutes to reduce the deficit to one.

Spurs then made their first substitution. Japheth Tanganga came off for Davison Sanchez, Bees also replaced yellow-carded Mathias Jensen for Saman Ghoddos.

The comeback was complete for Spurs on 70 minutes when, after a sustained period of possession, up popped Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the edge of the Bees penalty area and he cooly ramed home a fierce right-footer to level the score.

Two calls for penalties , one from each side were refused by referee David Coote as tensions on the pitch started to rise as both sides sought a winner.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Brentford made a double substitution - on came Yoane Wissa and Josh Dasilva, off went Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo.

A thumper of a right-footer by Sanchez must have stung the hands of Raya on 83 minutes, but the stopper held the 25 yard shot expertly.

How Kane did not score a minute later was a mystery, Raya misjudged a cross into the six-yard box, Kane got his head to it and it glanced over Riya but then rebounded off the crossbar and was cleared.

At the other end a minute later, Toney was unlucky to see his clipped effort go over the Spurs crossbar with Forster beaten.

Spurs made a late substitution, bringing in Ben Davis for Lenglet.

A brilliant save by Faya to twart Son deep into the five minutes of added time almost produced a last-gasp winner, but it was not to be.

|

Teams: Brentford, Raya, Henry, Pinnock, Norgaard, Jensen, Zanka, Mee, Toney, Mbeumo, Janelt, Roerslev

Subs: Cox, Goode, Canos, Dasilva, Wissa, Ghoddos, Jansson, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard

Spurs: Forster, Doherty, Hojbjerg, Heung-Min, Kane, Perisic, Kulusevski, Tanganga, Lenglet, Bissouma

Subs: Lloris, Skipp, Sanchez, Gil, Royal, Sessegnon, Sarr, Davies, White

Referee: David Coote