Tottenham’s heavily revamped squad made a losing start to the new Premier League season, falling 3-0 at Brentford despite another summer of lavish spending.
Spurs have invested more than £200m in new signings after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, and they are closing in on deals to bring in Manchester City pair Savinho and Omar Marmoush. Four of their newest arrivals were handed starts in west London, with Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson lining up in defence and Sandro Tonali anchoring the midfield.
Yet those additions did little to shore up a side that looked desperately vulnerable against a vibrant Brentford team. The hosts needed just 12 minutes to open the scoring, club-record signing Mamadou Sangare turning provider for Keane Lewis-Potter. Sangare produced a slick give-and-go and burst to the byline before pulling the ball back for the full-back to slot home.
There were earlier warnings Tottenham failed to heed, the most glaring when Nathan Collins headed wide from point-blank range. Dango Ouattara then wasted a golden chance to double the lead, failing to control a delivery from Igor Thiago with only Antonin Kinsky to beat.
Brentford did not have to wait long for their second. Vitaly Janelt converted from the rebound after Kinsky could only parry Matthias Jensen’s drive, with Lucas Bergvall at fault for the goal after conceding possession in midfield. Bergvall and Conor Gallagher were hauled off at half-time, making way for new signing Matheus Fernandes and Rodrigo Bentancur.
The changes changed nothing. Four minutes after the restart, Michael Kayode prodded home after Kinsky repelled a fizzing strike from Kayode. Igor Thiago looked certain to add a fourth from the penalty spot after Bentancur bundled over Kevin Schade, but his effort struck the inside of the post and bounced clear.
Tottenham did show some late fight, with Mikey Moore denied three times at the near post by Caoimhin Kelleher. The consolation never arrived, but Spurs could at least take comfort that the scoreline was not even more humiliating.
The result heaps immediate scrutiny on Roberto De Zerbi and his revamped Tottenham side, who look no more solid despite a huge outlay and begin the campaign with yet another defeat.
