Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka was not listed for Brentford as they played out a 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the first Premier League game since the mid-season break. The Bees let slip a two-goal lead to allow Tottenham to escape the London Derby with a point.
After the exertions of the 2022 FIFA World Cup were concluded just over a week ago, it was time for the Premier League to return, and the first match back was a London derby at Brentford’s home, the G-Tech Community Stadium.
Brentford started with more vigour and duly took the lead after just 15 minutes of action through Vitaly Janelt. The German star was on hand to bundle home the rebound after Fraizer Forster, deputising for Hugo Lloris between the sticks, deflected an effort from Matthias Jensen into his path following an incisive counter.
The home side continued to give a good account of themselves and thought they had doubled their advantage through top-scorer Ivan Toney, but the assistant’s flag went up to deny the goal.
Shortly after the commencement of the second half, the Bees took full advantage of some lax defending to double their advantage. Toney was free at the far post to meet a corner and fire his effort into the back of the net for his 12th goal of the season in the 54th minute.
Tottenham began their fight back just ten minutes later as Harry Kane became the Premier League’s Boxing Day record goalscorer after burying a header into the top corner of the net.
The Spurs come back was complete in the 71st minute as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored his fourth goal of the season from inside the box after a low cross from Dejan Kulusevski found its way to his feet.
Neither side found a winner and they had to settle for a point apiece. Antonio Conte’s Spurs have now picked up 13 points from losing positions in the league this season, the most of any team.
