An energetic reaction reflected in the goals of Harry Kane first and the Danish Pierre Emile Hojbjerg later, relieved Tottenham against Brentford (2-2) who had a two-goal advantage and was about to lose the game. And it is that a header against the post from Kane five minutes from time could complete the comeback of the 'spurs', who had in hand the victory in the opening game of Boxing Day, the first of the Premier after the break for the Qatar World Cup.
Brentford was saved and left the reaction of the visiting team halfway, which completed a wonderful second half to begin an initial stretch where they were surpassed by Thomas Frank's team.
Brentford faced the return to the English league with the victory against Manchester City in their last meeting in memory. Located in a comfortable position in the table, with no qualifying urgency, he took the lead after a quarter of an hour when Bryan Mbeumo's cross into the box was picked up by Ivan Tomey. His shot hit a defender and misled goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Vitaly Janelt, attentive, knocked on the empty door.
Antonio Conte decided not to count on the World Cup finalists. Neither the French goal Hugo Lloris nor the Argentine Cristian Romero were summoned. Nor Richarlison, injured in Qatar with Brazil.
The initial goal stretched a match in which nothing had happened. Later, Heung Min Son was able to equalize after half an hour. Frank's team also extended their lead with a shot from Zanka that was saved by Forster. He made the second at the start of the second half. In a corner thrown by Bryan Mbeumo that the Danish Christian Norgaard combed back and that Ivan Tomey took advantage of, in the small area, to bring it to the net.
Tottenham had already improved, as every day it endangers its fourth place, the last one that gives access to the Champions League. He shortened distances after game time. In a cross into the area by Frenchman Clement Lenglet who headed in Harry Kane's goal.
Tottenham cheered up, cornering their rival. Twenty from the end, the Swede Dejan Kulusevski, from the baseline, centered on the Danish Pierre Emile Hojbjerg who beat the Spanish David Raya for the second time and established the tie.
The inertia of Conte's box that accentuated his dominance and his chances lengthened. Kane hit the post five from the end. Ethan Pinnock and Ben Mee multiplied in the center of the home defense and no one scored.
Tottenham, with one more game, equals Newcastle in third place in the Premier. They are four ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who have two games less than the spurs.
2 - Brentford: David Raya; Zanka, Ethan Pinnock, Ben Mee; Mads Roerslev Rasmussen, Mathias Jensen (Saman Ghoddos, m.67), Christian Norgaard (Josh Dasilva, m.82), Vitaly Janelt, Rico Henry; Bryan Mbeumo (Yoane Wissa, m.82) and Ivan Toney.
2 - Tottenham: Fraser Forster; Japhet Tanganga (Davinson Sánchez, m.67), Eric Dier, Clement Lenglet (Ben Davies, m.95); Matt Doherty, Yves Bissouma, Pierre Hojbjerg, Ivan Perisic; Dejan Kulusevski, Heung Min Son and Harry Kane.
Goals: 1-0, m.15: Vitaly Janelt; 2-0, m.54: Ivan Tomey; 2-1, m.65: Harry Kane; 2-2, m.71: Pierre Hojbjerg
Referee: David Coote. He showed yellow cards to Mathias Jensen, Ivan Tomey and Bryan Mbeumo, from Brentford and Yves Bissouma, from Tottenham
Incidents: match of the sixteenth day of the Premier played at the Brentford Community Stadium in London.
