Tottenham Hotspur came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Monday.
It was a great welcome back to Premier League football as Brentford initially took the lead when Vitaly Janelt put the hosts ahead on 15 minutes. Under investigation for betting allegations, Ivan Toney kept his priorities on the pitch when he then doubled Brentford's lead ten minutes into the second half.
The Bees were seemingly cruising towards three points, but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had other ideas when his composed finish before the hour mark reduced the deficit. Moments later and Harry Kane banished the demons from Qatar and levelled the scoring with a thumping header.
A frantic final 10 minutes saw Kane hit the bar and Toney miss from six yards out as Premier League football reminded fans of its drama and value just 90 minutes into its return.
Thomas Frank had more or less a full side to choose from, as only four of his players were at the World Cup and none of the respective nations represented by Brentford progressed far into the tournament.
Antonio Conte was without World Cup finalists Cristian Romero and Hugo Lloris for this Boxing Day clash, so Japhet Tanganga and Fraser Forster came into the team for their first Premier League minutes since January and May respectively.
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Story of the Match
With Spurs coming into the game having conceded in their last eight competitive matches, it was no surprise to see their defence start the game in scrappy fashion.
The first goal illuminated this, when Mathias Jensen broke free of Spurs’ static defence and hit a tame shot at Fraser Forster, who spilled the shot straight into the onrushing path of Vitaly Janelt to easily tap home the opener.
Spurs had eventually clicked into gear and created a flurry of chances 20 minutes in when Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski forced David Raya into routine saves. Kulusevski was denied by Raya again moments later, but it was another tame effort that the Spaniard easily collected.
Brentford thought they had a second goal when Toney burst through after Yves Bissouma gave away possession in the centre circle and rounded Forster to tap home. But the Englishman was adjudged to have been just offside.
Spurs had it all to do in the second half and despite the chances they created, they lacked conviction in the final third and Brentford still offered a threat going forward.
Poor defending and a dose of controversy then pegged Spurs back again. Son's cross was heading towards Kane in the Brentford penalty area and the Spurs striker went down with Ben Mee holding onto him with both hands. David Coote and VAR had a look but denied Spurs’ protestations.
Brentford immediately responded after Eric Dier needlessly conceded a corner from which the home side then doubled their lead. The ball came in and Christian Norgaard flicked on a free header which Toney gleefully tapped home at the back post.
Credit to Spurs who replied imminently, with Clement Lenglet providing a superb cross, which Kane headed back into the opposite corner past the hapless Raya to maintain his 100 per cent scoring record on Boxing Day.
Tottenham’s comeback credentials were further cemented six minutes later when Hojbjerg collected Kulusevski’s cutback and hit a fine finish into the corner to level the score at 2-2.
Conte’s men were purring and thought they should have had a penalty when Zanka looked to have tripped Matt Doherty in the area. Coote and VAR remained unfazed and waved play on.
Kane then spurned a great opportunity ten minutes from time when Ivan Perisic’s cross found the England captain, who saw his effort agonisingly come back off the bar.
It was then Toney’ turn to squander a golden chance. Mads Roerslev delivered a cross from the right that Toney met just before the flailing Forster, but the ball brushed just off the bar.
Stoppage time saw Son test Raya with a low drive, which the Brentford goalkeeper was equal to. Full-time brought an end to what was a fine advert for the return of the Premier League and a tumultuous encounter in London that could have gone either way. A point a piece was a fair result in the end.
Tottenham will look to improve and what Conte will most likely deem ‘points dropped’ when they host Aston Villa on Sunday. Brentford, who will be content with a point but frustrated they let a two-goal lead slip, will remain in the capital and travel to West Ham on Friday.
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Player of the Match: Christian Norgaard
The Danish International, who rarely featured at the World Cup, showed Denmark what they were arguably missing with a stellar performance against Tottenham. He stifled Spurs' attack with some disciplined defending in midfield, with three tackles and three interceptions in the 82 minutes he played. He also got the assist for Brentford's second when his deft flick-on found Ivan Toney.