Thomas Frank returned to his former club Brentford with Tottenham but left frustrated after a 0-0 draw in the Premier League on New Year's Day. The match lacked excitement, with Tottenham managing no shots on target until stoppage time. Both teams now look ahead to their next fixtures on Sunday.
The Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium pitted Brentford against Tottenham Hotspur, marking Thomas Frank's return to the club he managed for seven years and 317 games. Frank, now at the helm of Spurs, received a warm welcome, applauding all four sides of the stadium before kick-off. However, the game proved dour, ending in a goalless stalemate that saw Tottenham fans chant 'boring, boring Tottenham' in the closing stages.
Tottenham struggled offensively, waiting 33 minutes for their first half-chance when Richarlison cushioned a volley for Archie Gray, whose header was blocked by Nathan Collins. A brief VAR review dismissed a penalty claim after Gray went down under Kevin Schade's challenge. In stoppage time, Richarlison had a late opportunity but his tame effort was comfortably saved by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Defensively, Tottenham extended their solid record under Frank, securing seven clean sheets in 19 games this season—more than the six they managed in 38 games under Ange Postecoglou last year. Brentford, managed by Keith Andrews, made one change with Jordan Henderson replacing Mathias Jensen in midfield. Igor Thiago started despite playing through pain, while Sepp van den Berg was on the bench after a recent knock.
Absences shaped both sides: Tottenham missed Brennan Johnson, who is nearing a transfer to Crystal Palace, along with injured players like Dominic Solanke (ankle), Destiny Udogie and Kota Takai (hamstring), James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski (knee), and suspended Xavi Simons. Lucas Bergvall was out with an injury from the previous game, while Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr were at the Africa Cup of Nations. Brentford were without Josh Dasilva (knee), Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo (long-term knee injuries), and internationals Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara.
Brentford's starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Rico Henry, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Jordan Henderson, Vitaly Janelt, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago, Kevin Schade. Tottenham's: Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert.
Elsewhere on January 1, Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Fulham, Liverpool 0-0 with Leeds United, and Manchester City 0-0 at Sunderland. Tottenham host Sunderland next, while Brentford travel to Everton, both at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.
