Match Report: Brentford & Everton Match Preview Brighton

 

Match Report: Brentford & Everton Match Preview Brighton

It has been a roller coaster ride since being knocked out of the FA Cup by City (my last report/ Blog). Since then, we’ve come away with two mixed results against two teams that are struggling to stay above the relegation spot that will eventually sink somebody down and into the abyss. One of the teams already had 10 points deducted and find for their unsportsmanlike financial irregularities. And guess who we were playing next? Yes, the 10-point deductors. Easy pickings we thought… but you know what thought did?

Yes, the bluer half of Liverpool had 10 points deducted for misappropriation of monies. While Manchester City, seemingly doing a lot worse, smiles prettily near the top of the Premier League. All’s fair in love, football, hate and power. But that is a story for later… now we’ve got to be content with Brentford.

Everything seemed fine before the journey to the Tottenham stadium. Janette was looking forward to savouring the finer arts (Ange’s football) with us. We entered the Spurs shop and purchased some goods after parking up. Then we hung around for a while… Before being let in, we chatted with those who always get there early and stand in the queue (first come, better table… this is near the tunnel club).

Once in our booths, we got our food, and a good friend (Melvyn) popped around to say hello and chat. I always look forward to seeing him. We remember the old days when Tottenham fought for everything and took home many trophies, those were truly the days.  Janet also popped around as usual. Drinks and food all around were the merriment of the evening.

We all speculated what the score would be… I predicted 3-0 if I remember rightly. Three was correct. The opposition added the other two goals to puncture my prediction.

 Before the game, there was a light display using the Spurs app on our mobiles; such enthusiasm by our supporters and the atmosphere dictated that we would win. We did, but made a bit of a pig's ear of it.

With a thrilling, if at times chaotic, home victory over our London neighbours, we moved back into the Premier League top four. The Bumble Bees managed to get the first kick in… as they left at half-time with one goal up. It was a terrible first half; we didn’t deserve anything. However, the second half was a different kettle of fish.

The second half saw us off the track in minutes. Yes, we blitzed the Bees with three goals eight minutes after the interval through Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, and Richarlison. Richarlison seems to be getting his mojo back.

Ivan Toney pulled one back following a dreadful Udogie back pass, but we held on to win and move back into the top four for the first time in 2024.

It was a feverish game with 28 shots across both teams. We were drawn into disputes with Brentford during the first half before pulling away in the second with an early onslaught.

The Manchester City defeat showed that we have a long way to go, but under the master, we are getting there.

Thoughts…

Richarlison has scored seven goals in his past seven league appearances, one more than he managed in his 47 top-flight outings.

We allowed Brentford back in the game in ludicrous circumstances, with Udogie playing a back pass straight to Toney, who calmly slipped the ball past Vicario for his second goal in as many matches since returning from his eight-month ban for betting offences.

Much of the focus before the game was on James Maddison, who made his first start since 6 November following his return from injury off the bench against Manchester City.

As always, Maddison was crucial in our amazing early-season form. His last start before injury came against Chelsea at home - our first league defeat of the season.

Our supporters hoped the England midfielder could inspire them back into the top four, and a jinking run through the defence after 10 minutes - before being crowded out in the area - gave hope he could make the difference in attack.

Maddison did find himself in the area to inadvertently assist our third, the shape change allowed Werner and Johnson to flourish out wide.

Our fast start to the second half extends our club-record run of now scoring in 34 successive league matches.

Apart from the missed Udogie back pass, it was a good victory. Still, it didn’t stop our fans from singing, " How much is that Udogie in the window? " And whatever price it was, it was well worth paying; he has turned out to be a good little player (still has a lot to learn, though).

We got ourselves back into the top four and were ready to take on Everton; it was only a few days away—an early kick-off- but we were ready (or we thought we were) to show who the masters were.

Everton 2 Spurs 2

I had to get up at 6.30 and was picked up by Mel for a 3-hour journey to Everton’s ground. We parked in our normal parking spot, a stone's throw away from their ground (literally). I think I predicted a two or 3-nil win.

Before the game, we wandered over to Everton’s high street to get a taste of their luxury cuisine, which was a downmarket £5 take-it-or-leave-it breakfast (which tells you everything you need to know about the state of the Everton environment). According to rumour the down and outs move to the richer pickings of their neighbours Liverpool to scrounge for morsel treats, but we were starving and desperate after a long drive, ideal pickings for the Everton high street. Then, we return to the stadium for some fireworks… the fireworks being let off by us, was the plan… but the last laugh wasn’t going to go our away.

Let the Everton game commence…

After all the hopes, cheers, and fingers crossed – we were off but ended up shooting ourselves in the foot - Jarrad Branthwaite scored a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time, following Richarlison's double, to salvage a Premier League point for Everton.

The Toffees looked like they were heading for a deflating defeat, but despair turned to joy when defender Branthwaite converted at the back post in the 94th minute. Before that late leveller, it looked like in-form Richarlison had returned to haunt his former side with a delightful double in front of the Gwladys Street End.

It took us just four minutes to prise open the Toffees' backline. Destiny Udogie pulled the ball back for Richarlison to guide home a lovely volley from eight yards out. After the hosts drew level, he curled in a sumptuous second from the edge of the box.

Everton had improved in between those goals, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin nodded over the crossbar before the striker's header from close range flicked in off Jack Harrison for the leveller.

That was it… we could have cemented our top-four spot. Instead, Villa leapt frogged us by stuffing Sheffield United away 5-0. I can tell you, we went home pissed. With Arsenic and Old Lace thrashing Liverpool’s arse 3-1, it wasn’t a good weekend. The only good news was that Wolves beat Chelsea 4-2 and United beat the Spammers 3-0. This means we ended the weekend in 5^th place, two points behind Villa and 5 points behind second place Arsenic. I think it will be a fight between us and Villa for fourth spot. I can’t see Liverpool, the Gooners, or even City budging from the top three. As for United, Spammers, Brighton, Chelski and Newcastle, they must battle it our for a European placing. At the worst, for us, we will be in the Europa League. It was a long journey back home.

Match preview of our up-and-coming battle with Brighton at the Tottenham stadium.

Brighton travel to London in what will be an important match for both sides as they fight for a European place.

We hope to get back to winning ways as we look to make our way back into the top four of the Premier League table. Brighton need three points to maintain their position in the top eight and potentially close the gap on the teams above them.

Both sides play great offensive football, with plenty of goals. With 49 goals scored, we boast the league’s third-best attack, whilst Brighton are not too far behind with 42. Though top scorer Son is still away at the Asia Cup, the recent return of James Maddison has provided a huge boost. Richarlison has also emerged as a serious threat, with the Brazilian scoring nine goals in his last eight league games.

Our defences may take a back seat in this one, as the two sides have kept a combined three clean sheets since the beginning of December. We conceded at least two goals in our last three games. Roberto De Zerbi hopes Joao Pedro can add to his tally of eight goals.

Since Brighton were promoted in 2017, they have faced us 14 times, in which they have won three. One of those victories was the reverse fixture earlier this season, a 4-2 win at the AMEX. The final score flattered us, as the hosts took a 4-0 lead before late strikes from Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies threatened a comeback. Pedro scored a brace from the penalty spot, adding to goals by Jack Hinshelwood and Pervis Estupinan.

Tottenham Team News

Heung Min-Son is still away at the Asia Cup. After several injuries earlier in the season, we are close to getting a fully fit squad with no fresh concerns from last weekend.

Our possible starting lineup

Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de ven, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner and Richarlson.

Prediction…

3-1

COYS!

Glenn

 

With Paul Coyte