Thomas Frank was thrilled to see his makeshift Brentford defence keep ‘the best front two’ in the Premier League quiet as Tottenham Hotspur superstars Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son drew a blank on Saturday, speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day.
It was like the Nuno Espirito Santo era all over again. A nasty case of deja vu.
For a second successive league match, Spurs failed to register a shot on target. After going down 1-0 at home to Brighton, Antonio Conte’s side were perhaps more relieved than frustrated to escape the Brentford Community Stadium, having dodged another defeat that would have taken a sledgehammer to their lingering Champions League hopes.
Frank’s buzzing Bees, inspired by former Spurs hero Christian Eriksen, hit the post twice while mustering 15 attempts to the visitors nine.
What’s more, Kane, Son and Dejan Kulusevski barely got a sniff of a chance at the other end, the hosts standing firm despite the injury-enforced absences of Ethan Pinnock, ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen, Christian Norgaard and first-choice right-wing back Sergi Canos.
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“To play with two different centre-backs, a new wing-back and not our normal number six, Christian Norgaard, who is maybe one of our best players this season, and we limit probably the best front two in this league to absolutely nothing,” Frank beams.
“We kept Tottenham very quiet. Plus, we created a lot of chances and opportunities. So I think there can only be one winner and that should have been us. And that’s crazy impressive.
“I think it’s down to the construction of the team. When you (lose) big players, (other) players are ready to step in and perform.”
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Tottenham are now fifth in the table. Two points adrift of a resurgent Arsenal with a titanic North London derby now just over a fortnight away.
Conte will be praying, by the time Mikel Arteta and co come to town, Kane, Son and Kulusevski will have recovered the formidable form that ripped Aston Villa, Leeds and Newcastle United to shreds.
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