Tottenham’s first full Premier League season under Roberto De Zerbi began with a heavy 3-0 defeat by London rivals Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Spurs were overwhelmed from the opening whistle and fell two goals behind inside the first 33 minutes. Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring before Vitaly Janelt doubled Brentford’s advantage, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb long before half-time.
Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was at fault for both Brentford’s second and third goals. He could only parry Mathias Jensen’s long-range effort into the path of Janelt for the second, before failing to hold Mamadou Sangare’s powerful volley early in the second half. Michael Kayode reacted quickest to score Brentford’s third in the 49th minute.
Spurs had introduced new £85m midfielder Mateus Fernandes from the bench at half-time, but the change did little to alter the pattern of the game. Brentford could have won by an even wider margin, with Igor Thiago hitting the post from the penalty spot.
The hosts had threatened before taking the lead. Nathan Collins headed wide when left completely unmarked, while Jan Paul van Hecke narrowly avoided turning Lewis-Potter’s cross into his own net.
Brentford went ahead in the 12th minute after Sangare exchanged passes with Thiago and broke into the penalty area. His low cross gave Lewis-Potter a straightforward side-footed finish.
Tottenham’s second goal conceded came after a cheap Richarlison mistake near the halfway line. Jensen collected possession and tested Kinsky from distance, but the goalkeeper could only parry the shot. Janelt was on hand to tap the rebound into an empty net shortly after the half-hour mark.
Kinsky was beaten again four minutes after the restart. Sangare produced another dangerous effort, and when the goalkeeper failed to grasp the volley, Kayode finished from close range.
Thiago then missed the chance to add Brentford’s fourth. Rodrigo Bentancur, who had come on for Tottenham, fouled Kevin Schade from behind inside the penalty area. Thiago’s spot-kick struck the post.
That failure did not cost Brentford. Mikey Moore missed Tottenham’s only two opportunities to claim a consolation goal, ensuring a miserable afternoon for De Zerbi’s side.
Brentford make emphatic start under Keith Andrews
The result continued an unexpectedly poor start to the 2026-27 season for a side expected to play an attractive, possession-based style under De Zerbi. Earlier on Saturday, Manchester United had also suffered a disappointing opening to their first full campaign under Michael Carrick, losing 2-0 to newly promoted Hull City.
Brentford’s opening goal highlighted the quality of their performance. The move involved 15 passes, with Sangare’s contribution particularly impressive. It was the third-longest passing sequence leading to a Brentford Premier League goal under Keith Andrews.
Only Michael Kayode’s goal against Wolves in March, after 19 passes, and Rico Henry’s effort against Bournemouth last December, following 18, involved more passes.
That was the type of attacking football Tottenham supporters had expected to see during De Zerbi’s first full season, particularly after the club strengthened its midfield with the expensive additions of Sandro Tonali and Fernandes.
Instead, Spurs struggled to establish any rhythm. Brentford’s physical approach allowed them to control the midfield, while the hosts’ third goal arriving in the 49th minute marked only the second occasion on which they had led 3-0 at an earlier stage of a home Premier League match. The other came against Man Utd in August 2022.
The numbers reflected Brentford’s dominance. Seven different home players managed a shot on target, compared with only two Tottenham players who tested Caoimhin Kelleher.
Brentford also recorded a commanding expected-goals figure of 3.96, while Tottenham produced just 0.47.
De Zerbi’s side now host Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup on Wednesday before travelling to face Newcastle United in their second Premier League fixture. The Italian will know a substantial improvement is needed.
