Even England’s Tottenham’s advance to the Europa League seems difficult. They didn’t even win their last home game.

Tottenham suffered a 1-3 come-from-behind loss in a home game against Brentford in the 37th round of the 2022-23 English Premier League (EPL) held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on the 20th at 8:30 pm (Korean time). In the 8th minute of the first half, Harry Kane scored a fantastic free kick goal to take the lead, but could not keep it. The defense fell apart. In the 5th and 17th minutes of the second half, Brian Mbemo allowed consecutive goals. At the end of the second half, Joane’s guard even hit a wedge goal. As a result, Tottenham recorded 17 wins, 6 draws and 14 losses, and 57 points, and remained in 7th place in the league. They failed to close the gap with 6th place Brighton & Hove Albion (58 points). Currently, Tottenham has 1 game and Brighton 3 games ahead. It is close to impossible to win a Europa League ticket given up to 6th place.

In fact, it was difficult for Tottenham to come up with a starting list. The team was plagued with injuries. Prior to the game, British media Football London reported that “Tottenham’s main center back Christian Romero and midfielder Pierre Hoivier will be absent.” Both are key members of the team. Falling out at the same time was even more damaging. Instead, Tottenham formed the best 11 mainly with backup members. The formation was 4-4-2. Even the tactics have changed. I chose a four-back instead of the previously used three-back. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane came out as two tops. Dejan Kulusevski and Arnaud Danjuma were deployed on the flanks, while Oliver Skip and Eve Bisuma coordinated the midfield. The back four, from left, was Ben Davis, Clement Lenglet, Davinson Sanchez, and Emerson Royal. Fraser Foster was in goal.

The opposite team, Brentford, also has a power gap. Ivan Tony, a key striker who scored 20 league goals this season, was suddenly suspended for eight months for violating betting rules. The penalty was applied from the match against Tottenham. Without Tony, Brentford made up three tops: Mbemo, Yoane Wissa, and Kevin Shade. The formation was 4-3-3.

South Korean striker Son Heung-min started on that day and played full-time without replacement. Whoscored.com, a European football statistics media, gave Son Heung-min a rating of 7.01. He got good ratings even though he didn’t increase his attack points. He recorded 3 shots, 2 dribble breakthroughs, and a pass success rate of 90%. He showed brilliant movements in the attack. He was also impressive in how he actively participated in the defense. Another statistical media rating was also good at 7.2. However, he couldn’t laugh at the team’s defeat.

From the beginning of the first half, Tottenham perfectly succeeded in suppressing the steamer. Kane scored the opening goal in the 8th minute of the first half. Kane’s free kick was taken by Kulusevski. This was a trick. After Kulusevski pushed the ball back, Kane fired a powerful shot like a cannon ball. This was put right at the top of the goal. Goalkeeper David Raya, who showed one of the best performances in the league this season, also tried to reach out, but to no avail. Tottenham continued the atmosphere. In the 11th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min took advantage of a counterattack opportunity and fired a left-footed shot. However, the impact was not properly due to the pressure of the opponent’s defense that came in late. The shot also went straight to the goalkeeper 메이저놀이터.

Brentford also attempted a counterattack by penetrating the left flank in the 13th minute of the first half. However, Davis put up a fighting spirit defense. Blocked the opponent’s pass in front of the goal. Tottenham definitely needed a win. Even the game atmosphere was overheated. In the 21st minute of the first half, Tottenham’s acting manager Ryan Mason received a yellow card for protesting the referee’s decision. In the 24th minute of the first half, Tottenham dug into the left side of the penalty box with Son Heung-min and Kane’s fantastic passing play. Son Heung-min’s cross was connected by Emerson’s header shot, but the opponent’s defense blocked it in front of the goal. One of the regrettable scenes was that Danjuma hesitated and lost the ball in the 27th minute of the counterattack.

After receiving a cross from Son Heung-min in the 42nd minute of the first half, Danjuma sensibly attempted a header shot. But he missed the post slightly. Kulusevski fired a left-footed shot in the extra time of the first half, but the goalkeeper saved it. Tottenham definitely dominated the atmosphere in the first half. However, mass scoring failed. After Kane’s opening goal, he failed to produce results.

This became a boomerang and caught Tottenham’s ankle. In the second half, the atmosphere changed. Brentford drove the attack. The equalizer also came early. In the 5th minute of the second half, Mbemo shook the net with a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty box. There were two Tottenham defenders in front, but the counterbeater fired a quick shot and stole the defensive timing. Tottenham tried to attack again to take the initiative. But the attack was inaccurate. In the 12th minute of the second half, Kane’s shot went high. The center of the shot was not caught.

It was Brentford who scored the extra goal. This time, the main character was Mbemo. In the 17th minute of the second half, he used his explosive speed to break the Tottenham defense. He even scored the second goal with an accurate shot. The score was overturned. Brentford took a 2-1 lead. Tottenham, who became desperate, took out Danzuma and put in Lucas Moura. It was Moura’s last home game. The day before, he said goodbye to Tottenham fans through a video message. The team is set to move through the transfer market this summer. Tottenham sent Pedro Poro and Richarlison out in the 30th minute of the second half. Emerson and Kulusevski made their way to the bench.

As Richarlison came in, Son Heung-min went down to the left midfielder. He made various changes for the equalizer. The long-awaited equalizer did not come out. Rather, Tottenham gave Brentford striker Wisha a key goal in the 43rd minute of the second half. In fact, the match has been decided. In extra time in the second half, goalkeeper Raya’s super save frustrated Tottenham. Son Heung-min’s cross was connected by Hisharisong with a header shot, but it was caught in Raya’s hand and hit the post. In the end, Tottenham also lost their last home game. Tottenham will leave for Leeds United on the 29th. This is the last league schedule for this season.