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Brentford 2-2 Tottenham: Harry Kane spearheads Tottenham’s comeback as Antonio Conte’s side comes back from two goals down in a dramatic match.
On Boxing Day, Tottenham overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 against Brentford. As Brentford and Tottenham split the points in a thrilling 2-2 draw to kick off Premier League play again after the World Cup, Harry Kane and Ivan Toney each scored after a challenging few weeks for the duo.
A fierce and competitive London derby marked the Premier League’s return, as Antonio Conte’s team made things difficult for themselves before salvaging a point.
Bryan Mbeumo’s cross found Mathias Jensen in the 15th minute, and his shot was softly deflected by Fraser Forster into Vitaly Janelt’s path for a straightforward tap-in as Spurs trailed for the ninth straight game.
Dejan Kulusevski’s nimble entrance off the right channel, rounding Ben Mee, and shot into David Raya’s hands gave Tottenham their first half-sight of goal.
Son Heung-min forced Raya into more of a stretching save from 25 yards soon after, while Forster produced a stop with his leg to keep out Mathias Jorgensen’s half-volley.
When Jensen robbed Yves Bissouma and sent Ivan Toney sprinting away, beating Forster, and shooting into an empty net, Brentford felt they had added a second goal, but the offside flag was raised.
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As expected, Tottenham increased their effort at the start of the second half and came dangerously close to splitting the Bees open. Mee reacted quickly to clear a low cross from Ivan Perisic that was destined for Kulusevski to tap in.
Harry Kane was incensed that he was not awarded a penalty when he was hauled to the ground by Mee with another cross from Perisic waiting to be met in the minutes that followed.
But Brentford doubled their lead after Eric Dier’s sliced pass trickled behind him for a corner, and Christian Norgaard’s flick-on from Bryan Mbeumo’s delivery was tapped in by Toney.
Spurs pulled one back when a deep cross from Clement Lenglet was met by a rising Kane, who got above Mee and headed past Raya.
A mix-up in the area allowed Mbeumo to find some space and get to Rico Henry’s cutback, but the Cameroonian leant back and missed the opportunity to give the hosts a third.
With 20 minutes remaining, Kulusevski’s low cross was deflected back into Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s path, who stroked the ball into the upper left corner to tie the game once more.
At one end, Brentford felt Matt Doherty’s dive was egregious, but referee David Coote did not book him; instead, he cautioned Mbeumo for attempting to buy Forster a penalty.
Substitute Davinson Sanchez nearly completed the comeback with a scorching volley from distance, though it was held by a grateful Raya. Kane beat the Spaniard to a cross soon after but saw his header come back off the bar.
Mads Roerslev’s header at the other end was deflected back into Toney’s path, but the striker could only push a volley over the top.
Deep into stoppage time, Son’s curling attempt was stopped by Raya, but Brentford managed to hold on and get a point.