EPL: Brentford thrash new-look Tottenham in season opener
By Luke Oluoch, August 22, 2026Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season in charge of Tottenham Hotspur got off to a disappointing start as Spurs were swept aside 3-0 by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The London team struggled in the English top flight last season, surviving relegation with the final day win against West Ham United, but despite heavy summer strengthening of over seven players, the club looked off pace against their London rivals.
Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring for the Bees in the 12th minute after converting a cutback from debutant Mamadou Sangaré. Vitaly Janelt doubled the hosts’ lead in the 33rd minute by pouncing on a parried save after Lucas Bergvall was dispossessed in midfield.
Despite making history by featuring the youngest-ever captain, Archie Gray, who led the team out in the absence of Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, who were elected as new club captains, Spurs made a dismal start to the game.
Coach Roberto De Zerbi opted for twin changes at the start of the second half, with Mateus Fernandes and Rodrigo Bentancur entering the fray in place of Conor Gallagher and Bergvall. However, it was the hosts who found the next goal, with Michael Kayode sealing the 3-0 victory shortly after the restart in the 49th minute.
The proceedings could have been worse for the visitors, who were spared further blushes after new signing Jan Paul van Hecke conceded a penalty. Igor Thiago’s effort came off the underside of the post with Antonín Kinsky well beaten, as Spurs survived going further down.
The 2025 Europa League winners struggled to convert their possession into quality attempts, failing to register a single shot on target in a disastrous first-half display.
Their best openings were squandered by wayward finishing, including a 30-yard effort from Conor Gallagher that missed high and wide, alongside erratic strikes from Sandro Tonali that were easily dealt with by Caoimhin Kelleher in the Brentford goal.