Tottenham and Brentford Settle for Goalless Draw on Frank’s Return | OneFootball

Brentford and Tottenham Share Stalemate at Gtech

Tottenham and Brentford drifted into 2026 with a 0-0 draw that felt more like a pause than a statement. On a day shaped by reunion and memory, the football itself struggled to rise above the narrative. Thomas Frank’s return to the Gtech Community Stadium, now in charge of Tottenham after seven formative years with Brentford, brought warmth before kick off but little spark once the match began.

Frank was greeted with a standing ovation, a reminder of the journey he helped script in west London. From Championship hopefuls to established Premier League operators, his legacy remains visible. What followed, though, was a contest short on invention and conviction, with Brentford looking the more coherent side and Tottenham still searching for an identity under their new manager.

Frank’s Return Lacks Cutting Edge

Tottenham arrived having ended 2025 with a win over Crystal Palace, but any sense of momentum quickly faded. Frank’s side were second best for long spells, passive without the ball and blunt with it. Their attacking shape rarely unsettled Brentford’s back line and pressing, so central to Frank’s best work in the past, appeared half formed.

Archie Gray went closest, his close range header well blocked by Nathan Collins, while Richarlison forced a late save from Caoimhin Kelleher. Beyond that, opportunities were scarce. The absence of Brennan Johnson, left out after agreeing a £35m move to Crystal Palace, further thinned Tottenham’s options and underlined a squad still in transition.

The result leaves Tottenham in 12th, marooned in the bottom half and still waiting for a performance that might convince supporters that progress is being made.

Brentford Control Without Reward

For Brentford, the afternoon offered quiet encouragement mixed with mild frustration. After the summer departures of Frank, Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo, there were concerns about drift. Instead, under Keith Andrews, the Bees remain organised, assertive and difficult to play against.

They began brightly, Kevin Schade seeing an early tap in ruled out for offside in the fifth minute. Brentford continued to probe, forcing turnovers and pushing Tottenham back. Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago and Vitaly Janelt all found themselves in promising positions but failed to apply the finish.

Thiago, Brentford’s top scorer with 11 goals this season, extended his goalless run to six games after skewing a close range effort over the bar. It summed up the afternoon, control without incision.

Table Positions Reflect Stalemate

The draw keeps Brentford ninth, a point above Tottenham, a fair reflection of a match where one side dictated and the other endured. For Brentford, stability feels reassuring. For Tottenham, patience may be required, though patience is rarely abundant.