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Thomas Frank endured a frustrating return to his former club Brentford as Tottenham were held to a goalless draw in the Premier League.
Frank managed the Bees for seven years and 317 games before joining Spurs and received a warm welcome as he walked onto the pitch and applauded all four sides of his old ground before kick-off.
But that was about as good as it got for the Dane, with Spurs failing to manage a single effort on target until injury time and their fans chanting “Tottenham boring and boring” towards the end of a dour encounter.
Tottenham have now kept more Premier League clean sheets in 19 games under Frank this season (7), than in 38 games under Ange Postecoglou in the whole of last season (6).
Brennan Johnson was a notable absentee from the traveling squad as the Welsh winger is is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace.
Spurs had to wait until 33 minutes for a half chance, when Richarlison cushioned a volley in front of goal and Archie Gray’s header was blocked by the shoulder of Nathan Collins.
There was a brief VAR check for a penalty when Gray went down in the box under a challenge from Kevin Schade, but it was quickly ruled out.
Richarlison could have stolen the points at the death, but his finish was as lame as Tottenham’s performance as it flew into the arms of Bees goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Both teams will next be in action on Sunday (3:00 p.m. GMT), when Tottenham host Sunderland and Brentford travel to Everton.
Brentford team vs Spurs
Brentford made one change in midfield, with Jordan Henderson replacing Mathias Jensen.
Igor Thiago started the game with 11 goals in 18 Premier League appearances this season, but Brentford manager Keith Andrews said the striker had played through pain in recent weeks.
Defender Sepp van den Berg missed the 4-1 home win over Bournemouth five days earlier with a knock and was on the bench this time.
Josh Dasilva had a knee ligament problem and fellow midfielders Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo had long-term knee injuries.
Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka and Burkinabe striker Dango Ouattara were present at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Brentford starting XI: Caoimhin Keller, Michael Kayod, Kristenian For, Nathan Collins, Rico Henry, Yehor Yarmliuk, Jordan Henderson, Vitaly Janelt, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thigue,
Brentford substitutes: Hakon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Sepp van den Berg, Ethan Pinnock, Mathias Jensen, Reiss Nelson, Hakon Valdimarsson, Mikkel Damsgaard, Yunus Konak, Romelle Donovan
Tottenham vs Brentford
Spurs made three changes. Midfielder Lucas Bergvall was absent after being sent off in their previous 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, but centre-back Radu Dragusin returned from the bench in that match following a long-term knee injury and was back in their squad.
Joao Palhinha came into central midfield in place of Bergvall, joined in the line-up by defender and captain Cristian Romero, returning from suspension at the expense of Kevin Danso.
Wilson Odobert replaced Randal Kolo Muani in attack, but striker Dominic Solanke (ankle) and defenders Destiny Udogie and Kota Takai (both hamstrings) remained out, as did midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski with knee injuries.
Midfielder Xavi Simons was serving the second of a three-match suspension for a red card in the 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool on 20 December.
Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma and his Senegalese counterpart Pape Matar Sarr were part of their country’s squads for the CAN.
Brennan Johnson was not involved as the winger is set to move to Crystal Palace.
Tottenham starting eleven: Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert
Tottenham substitutes: Brandon Austin, Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel, Antonin Kinsky, Ben Davies, Randal Kolo Muani, Dane Scarlett, Callum Olusesi
Premier League results today
Elsewhere on New Year’s Day, Liverpool were aiming for a fourth straight victory when Leeds United headed to Anfield and Crystal Palace were seeking a first win in six matches in all competitions when Fulham, who had won their previous three league matches, traveled to Selhurst Park.
Second-placed Manchester City then failed to close the gap. Arsenal leaders to one point with a goalless draw at Sunderland.
Thursday January 1st
Brentford 0-0 Spurs
