Tottenham supporters have waited a long time to see a confident, controlled home performance, and they finally got it as Thomas Frank’s side eased to a 2-0 victory over Brentford. After weeks of frustration, missed chances, and disjointed attacking play, everything finally clicked into place.
The win felt comfortable from the moment the first goal went in, and it offered a welcome reminder of what this squad can look like when key players rise to the occasion.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Richarlison finished at the far post after Xavi Simons burst down the right side and delivered the perfect pass. It was the type of decisive, confident moment Tottenham had desperately needed from Simons since he arrived in the summer.
For long stretches of the season he has struggled to make any sort of impact, often looking lost in possession and too cautious in the final third. But against Brentford he was completely transformed.
Just before halftime, the Dutchman doubled the lead with a brilliant solo effort. He won the ball in his own half, sprinted the length of the pitch, and slid the ball into the far corner for his first Spurs goal.
It was a moment that lifted the entire stadium and showed exactly why Tottenham fought so hard to sign him. If this version of Simons becomes the norm, then Tottenham’s attack immediately looks far more dangerous and unpredictable.
Frank came into the match dealing with questions about his future, but the performance answered them with confidence. His team pressed well, defended with discipline, and showed real sharpness going forward.
There were still moments of concern Cristian Romero was fortunate to avoid a red card shortly before the half-hour mark but overall Tottenham were in control. Brentford rarely threatened, and the home fans were finally able to enjoy an afternoon without anxiety creeping in during the final minutes.
Simons’ display was the bright spark of the match, and there is hope this is the moment he finally settles into Premier League life. Every time he picked up the ball he looked like he wanted to drive forward and break lines.
His assist, his goal, his movement, and even his defensive work were all on a completely different level from what he has shown so far this season. For once, the statistics reflected the quality of his performance.
Xavi Simons vs Brentford
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Touches | 59 |
| Shots | 4 |
| Shots on Target | 2 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 |
| Passes | 36/42 (86%) |
| Key Passes | 1 |
His manager, along with the fans, will hope this is the start of a new chapter for the 22-year-old. He and Mohammed Kudus were Tottenham’s most electric players, constantly putting Brentford under pressure. Kudus even had a late goal ruled out for offside, otherwise the scoreline would have been even more comfortable.
But while the attack looked sharp for the most part, not everyone rose to the occasion. Randal Kolo Muani had a difficult afternoon and looked completely off the pace.
Only days earlier he had been one of the few bright spots in the defeat to PSG, but against Brentford he struggled badly. His touch let him down, he gave the ball away in dangerous areas, and he never looked close to scoring.
His worst moment came when Djed Spence forced a save and the rebound landed perfectly for him, only for the Frenchman to mis-kick entirely with the goalkeeper on the ground. It summed up his day and frustrated supporters who expected much more.
Randal Kolo Muani vs Brentford
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Touches | 40 |
| Dribbles | 0/5 (0%) |
| Possession Lost | 19 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 |
| Key Passes | 1 |
The rest of the team delivered steady performances, with Djed Spence standing out for his energy and attacking drive, while Rodrigo Bentancur controlled midfield until he was substituted.
Tottenham Player Ratings
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| Guglielmo Vicario | 6 |
| Pedro Porro | 6 |
| Cristian Romero | 5 |
| Micky van de Ven | 6 |
| Djed Spence | 7 |
| Rodrigo Bentancur | 7 |
| Archie Gray | 6 |
| Mohammed Kudus | 7 |
| Xavi Simons | 9 (Man of the Match) |
| Richarlison | 7 |
| Randal Kolo Muani | 3 |
| Joao Palhinha (sub) | 6 |
| Wilson Odobert (sub) | 5 |
| Pape Matar Sarr (sub) | 5 |
| Kevin Danso (sub) | 6 |
For Tottenham, this win was more than just three points. It was a performance that suggested the team is finally beginning to find its identity under Frank. With Simons showing signs of real confidence and the attack looking sharper than it has in months, supporters will hope this match marks the start of something far better.
If Tottenham can build on this, the season may yet turn into one worth celebrating.
