Brentford Beat Tottenham 3-0 as Sangare Shines on Debut

Brentford began their Premier League season with a 3-0 home victory over Tottenham, with Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode scoring at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Guardian reported that Brentford controlled the match and also missed a penalty, while Tottenham produced few significant attacking opportunities before the hosts had established a three-goal lead.

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Lewis-Potter opened the scoring in the 12th minute after a move involving debutant Mamadou Sangare and Igor Thiago. Sangare exchanged passes with Thiago on the right and pulled the ball back for Lewis-Potter, arriving from left-back, to finish from close range past Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Brentford created further first-half chances as Thiago headed against the crossbar and Dango Ouattara twice advanced through on goal without converting. Their second goal followed a midfield contest won by Mathias Jensen. Kinsky could not direct Jensen's shot away from danger, allowing Janelt to score from the rebound and increase the home side's advantage.

Tottenham made two changes at halftime, replacing Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher, but Brentford scored again from a corner. Nathan Collins headed the delivery down at the far post, Sangare's shot was saved and Kayode drove the loose ball into the net. Thiago later missed from the penalty spot, leaving the final margin at three goals.

The match was Keith Andrews' second-season opener as Brentford manager, and he pointed to the trust within the structure his team has built. Sangare, a £39 million summer arrival from Lens, started in midfield alongside Janelt and Jensen and played a direct role in the first goal. His performance was a central feature of Brentford's combination of pressing and quick attacking play.

Tottenham started four debutants in Roberto De Zerbi's first league match in charge, including three new members of the back four. De Zerbi acknowledged after the game that his team lacked fight and failed to win second balls. Although the campaign is only one match old, Brentford leave the opening weekend with three points and a clean sheet, while Tottenham must respond after conceding three without scoring.