Brentford produced a commanding display to overwhelm big-spending Tottenham and inflict a nightmare start on them at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Tottenham have invested about £237m during the summer, breaking their transfer record twice as they seek to avoid another season of difficulty. Last season, Spurs only secured their place in the top flight on the final day.
Four of their new arrivals started in west London: defenders Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, alongside club-record £100m signing Sandro Tonali.
Despite that investment, Tottenham were two goals behind after only 33 minutes as Brentford exposed gaps throughout their defence.
The hosts took the lead in the 12th minute when Keane Lewis-Potter was left unmarked inside the penalty area and finished after being found by Mamadou Sangare, Brentford’s club-record signing this summer.
Sangare was central to Brentford’s impressive performance as they controlled the match and repeatedly threatened a Tottenham side unable to cope with their energy and movement.
Brentford doubled their advantage when Vitaly Janelt reacted quickest to score from close range after Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky had saved from Mathias Jensen.
Thomas Frank’s side dominated the opening period, while Tottenham failed to produce a single attempt on target before half-time.
Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi responded by making two changes at the beginning of the second half. £85m signing Mateus Fernandes and Rodrigo Bentancur replaced Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall in an effort to restore some control.
The changes did little to alter the contest, however, and Brentford soon added a third.
Sangare went close to scoring when his effort was saved, but the ball fell into the path of Michael Kayode, who made no mistake from the rebound to complete a deeply uncomfortable afternoon for De Zerbi’s team.
Brentford were then given the chance to extend their lead further when Bentancur fouled Kevin Schade inside the penalty area. Referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty, with Igor Thiago taking responsibility from the spot.
Kinsky committed himself in the wrong direction, but Tottenham escaped a fourth goal when Thiago’s penalty struck the post and rebounded to safety.
That miss offered little relief to Spurs, who had been comprehensively outplayed. Brentford combined pace, intensity and efficiency throughout the match and looked full of confidence against their London neighbours.
For Tottenham, the result represents a hugely disappointing opening to a season in which their substantial summer spending had been intended to produce a clear improvement. Instead, they were dismantled by a slick Brentford side that seized control early and never allowed them back into the contest.
