Four Takeaways from Tottenham Carabao Cup Win over Brentford
By Aaron Coe
Having defeated Brentford Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, Tottenham Hotspur will face Manchester City in the final in April, here are some takeaways from the win.
Tottenham Hotspur were dominate in their 2-0 win over Brentford on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup semifinal. While José Mourinho was not fully happy, the team did the job in a professional manner and are now in a cup final, at the first opportunity, as noted by Eric Dier. Reflecting on the game, here are a few takeaways from the win.
Tottenham is better on the Front Foot
If we have learned anything about Tottenham from the last two games against Leeds and Brentford, it is that Spurs are a better team when they are aggressive and looking to attack more. This does not mean Tottenham need to dominate possession, but it does mean they need to be throwing their punches to keep opponents off balance.
In the case of the Brentford match, Tottenham did win the battle of possession with 54% to Brentford’s 46%. More importantly, the possession translated into opportunities. Tottenham marginally outshot Brentford 12 to 11 but had 5 shots on target and one hit the woodwork compared to the Bee’s three total shots on target.
This is not to say that Brentford did not have chances, they were simply limited. What we have seen over the last month is a progression from the team. That progression has led to the need to be active and assertive offensively, which is better for the defense.
Front Foot Leads to Team Moves
Given Tottenham were battling for possession and working to hold a higher line as opposed to a low block, the team was battling to recover the ball in more dangerous areas. Just as with Leeds, how Harry Winks and Pierre Højbjerg were able to recover balls that led to goals, Tottenham had recoveries and team moves leading to the goals against Brentford.
On the first goal, it started with Harry Kane attacking from the right and his hard cross being block out of the box. Almost like a basketball player following their shot, Harry Kane anticipated the rebound and was first to the clearance, recovering the ball for Tottenham.
Once Kane had the ball, he passed it back to Moussa Sissoko, who got it over to Pierre Højbjerg who continued to then swing the ball over to Eric Dier. It was Dier who played the ball up the left flank to Sergio Reguilón.
Given Spurs had recovered and recycled possession in the attacking half, Moussa Sissoko did not have far to run as he flashed between defenders into the box to head home the cross from Reguilón. Five players touched the ball from the recovery and six passes later, Spurs were ahead in an excellent team move.
The second goal was equally impressive if not more, as Spurs went from the defensive half to the goal very quickly and stung the Bees before they knew what hit them. Højbjerg and Reguilón created the pressure to produce the turnover, which Pierre immediately turned into an up-field pass to Harry Kane. As Kane did all game and has all year, he collected the ball in the middle of the park and turned to look for runners.
Instead of hitting a longer, more speculative ball up the left to Heung-Min Son, Kane played the smarter, higher percentage pass up the middle to Tanguy Ndombele. With the skill of a slide-rule the Frenchmen then split the defense for the flashing Son and the second goal. More direct with only three passes, but the same team concept, win the ball and attack. When you win the ball closer to midfield or even in the attacking half, turning offensive is easier.