Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford played out a goalless draw at the Brentford Community Stadium in their latest Premier League assignment.
Tottenham Hotspur took the field against Brentford fully aware that a win would send them up to fourth in the table, ahead of arch-rivals Arsenal on goal difference. The Gunners had done their bit in the top-four race, defeating Manchester United 3-1 early in the day.
Brentford, on the other hand, would have crept into the top half of the Premier League table had they won all three points from the Spurs encounter and with a five-goal difference. But things didn’t go to plan for both the sides at the Brentford Community Stadium as the match finished goalless.
With both sides taking a point from the encounter, Spurs finish the matchweek in the fifth spot with 58 points from 33 encounters, two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal. Meanwhile, Brentford rose to the 11th spot but their quest of finishing the week in the top half didn’t come to fruition.
Spurs failed to get even a single shot on target and were thoroughly dominated by the Bees, who took more shots with 12, two of which were on target. Brentford also hit the woodwork once, which would make them feel that they dropped two points rather than gaining one. Here’s how each Tottenham player fared in the match on Saturday.
Hugo Lloris: 6/10
The Tottenham goalkeeper didn’t have much to do, making just one save in the match. His passing was a bit erratic, which he would like to work on as Spurs push for a top-four berth heading into the business end of the season.
Cristian Romero: 8/10
The defender was influential on both ends of the pitch. Defensively, he made two clearances, blocked three shots, and made five interceptions and a tackle. He completed 93% of his passes, which included a key pass. Two of his three long balls found his teammate.
? Cristian Romero tonight:
• 10 recoveries
• 5 clearances
• 3 blocks
• 2/3 duels won
• 50/54 accurate passes
• dispossessed 0 times
• most recoveries
• most clearancesAnother day, another masterclass. One of the best CB’s in the league @CutiRomero2 ?? pic.twitter.com/KjnPGJdvYT
— All About Argentina ??? (@AlbicelesteTalk) April 23, 2022
Eric Dier: 7/10
The England international had a defensively solid game as well. He made as many as six clearances, blocked one shot and made two tackles in the match.
Ben Davies: 6/10
Davies was probably the least influential of the three central defenders in Antonio Conte’s team. He lost possession on 19 occasions and completed just 77% of his passes. He played one key pass, however, and sent in two crosses, one of which was successful.
Emerson: 6/10
Emerson didn’t bring out his best in the encounter, and while he bombed up and down the right flank, there was no end product to show for. He played one key pass and won four of five ground duels. He also made five clearances. Emerson was taken off for Lucas Moura as Spurs were searching for the elusive goal.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 7/10
The former Juventus man was solid in the midfield, shielding his defence well against a spirited Brentford side. He was enterprising with his passing as well, completing three of four long balls attempted. He also took three shots, made three clearances, blocked two shots and intercepted one ball.
A touching moment as Christian Eriksen receives a round of applause from Spurs fans in the away end ? pic.twitter.com/mavb7c4hfM
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 23, 2022
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 7/10
The Spurs midfielder was his usual self in the centre of the park, completing 92% of his passes, one of which was a key pass. He completed three of his five long balls and won six duels. Defensively, he made one clearance, blocked one shot, made two interceptions and two tackles. He was popping up everywhere, working hard for the team’s cause.
Ryan Sessegnon: 6/10
Sessegnon didn’t have the best of matches at left wing-back. None of his eight crosses found his teammate, and neither did the one long ball he attempted. He was taken off for Davinson Sanchez in the 74th minute.
Dejan Kulusevski: 6/10
Kulusevski couldn’t affect the proceedings as he had in the last few matches for Spurs. He spent all 90 minutes on the pitch, making just 55 touches. He was accurate with his crossing, however, completing three of four attempts. He also made one key pass while both his shots were blocked.
Harry Kane: 6/10
⚪️ Harry Kane has scored against every #PL team he's faced other than Brentford… ?#FPL #BRETOT pic.twitter.com/cUB9lmMFkI
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) April 23, 2022
Kane was his usual self off the ball, dropping deep to get involved in the Spurs build-up play. But the end product wasn’t there. He completed just nine of 14 passes attempted, and took four shots, none of which were on target. He made just 36 touches of the ball and lost possession on 14 occasions.
Son Heung-min: 6/10
The South Korean international connected well with Kane, but the duo couldn’t find the breakthrough for Spurs. He completed both the dribbles he attempted and won three ground duels. He didn’t take a single shot on goal, and only one of his nine crosses found a teammate.
Substitutes
Davinson Sanchez: 5/10
Sanchez came on for Sessegnon in the 74th minute of the match, but couldn’t do enough to affect the proceedings of the match. He made two clearances and didn’t make any more defensive contributions.
Lucas Moura: N/A
Lucas Moura came on for Emerson in the 86th minute but didn’t do enough to warrant a rating.
