Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur were back in action this afternoon in the Premier League, earning another point from a losing position away to Brentford. 

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:

Tanganga chance been and gone – It felt like a big opportunity for Japhet to make a claim for some minutes this afternoon, or at least the role as Cristian Romero’s understudy. Unfortunately, not only did he put in a pretty horrible performance, but he was hauled off early by Conte and Davinson Sanchez played very well after coming on. A loan in January could be likely for Tanganga.

The same old pattern – Conceding first then fighting back to earn some kind of result – it has become a familiar pattern for Spurs this season. While you have to admire the fight in the second halves of this campaign, in which Spurs look capable of beating anyone, questions have to be asked about the first 45. You can’t concede first in nine games in a row and expect to compete.

No hangover for Harry – It has been a tough few weeks for Harry Kane after that penalty miss, but the away Spurs fans made an extra effort to sing his name today, even amidst the ‘you let your country down’ chants from the Brentford end. Scoring in his first game back was the perfect way to stop the inevitable headlines for Kane, and he was unlucky not to score the winner when he hit the bar.

Ivan Perisic, the man, the machine – Yes, he was quiet in the first half (like every Spurs player), but Ivan Perisic was incredible in the second 45. He beat his opponents for fun in the latter stages, putting in some really testing balls, including one that should have led to a penalty for Spurs after Kane was dragged down. Need I remind you, Perisic played the maximum number of games possible at the World Cup and only returned to training this week, yet still made himself available and played the full 90 minutes. Huge respect.

The only way is up – Let’s try and put a positive spin on today. Tottenham battled back to earn a point and looked class in the second half. We have Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur back next week. We have the January transfer window opening soon, to hopefully invest in a new defender and some attacking reinforcement. Levy and Paratici need to look at last January as a blueprint, where two players were signed who improved the starting XI overnight.

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