ottenham began the Ange Postecoglou era – and life after Harry Kane – with an entertaining 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Spurs got off to a flier when Cristian Romero headed home James Maddison’s free-kick but Brentford levelled when Bryan Mbuemo scored from the penalty spot after Heung-min Son clipped Mathias Jensen.
The Bees took the lead through a deflected Yoan Wissa strike before Emerson Royal equalised in first-half stoppage time.
Dan Kilpatrick was at the Gtech Community Stadium to rate the Spurs players…
Guglielmo Vicario 6
Quick off his line but occasionally rash, and didn’t always look comfortable with the ball at his feet. Will clearly need some time to adapt.
Emerson Royal 7
Caught napping and skinned by Wissa for Brentford’s second goal but made amends with a well-taken equaliser.
Cristian Romero 8
Got the Postecoglou era off to a great start by heading home the opening goal but was forced off immediately afterwards following an earlier clash of heads.
Micky van de Ven 7
Thrown in at the deep end, the Dutchman did well. Unlucky to turn Wissa’s shot past his own goalkeeper but grew into the game and looks well-suited to English football.
Destiny Udogie 8
Did not look at all like a 20-year-old making his Premier League debut in an eye-catching display. Confident going forward and assured defensively.
Oliver Skipp 6
Covered ground and battled well but offered little in the way of spark.
Yves Bissouma 9
Superb at the base of Spurs’ midfield, getting between the boxes and playing positively under pressure. Should be like a new signing.
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/ PAJames Maddison 8
Already Spurs’ creative force, making both of their goals. Clever in possession and looked the likeliest to carve a way through Brentford’s back line in the second half.
Dejan Kulusevski 6
Showed flashes of quality, particularly when he drove inside but struggled to influence the game and faded.
Heung-min Son 6
The new captain found it tricky to make inroads against Brentford’s low block but shanked a good chance wide at the far post before drawing a smart save from goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Richarlison 5
Crowded out in the first half but improved after the interval, testing Flekken with a shot.
Subs
Davinson Sanchez (Romero 14′) 6
Raced back to deny Wissa with a Ledley King-esque recovery tackle. Did not look comfortable playing out from the back.
Ivan Perisic (Son 75′) 6
Put in a couple of dangerous crosses but couldn’t help Spurs find a late winner.
Pape Sarr (Skipp 75′) 6
Composed in possession and busy in a late cameo.
Not used: Austin, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Porro, Solomon, Davies.
