Correlation FC

Spurs beat Brentford 2-0

A strong performance overall from the Bees, but unfortunately not enough luck or quality on the offensive side.

Correlation of the week

Two has been an unusual number for the Bees this season. Today's loss is the eighth time that the Bees have lost when they've given up exactly two goals. Giving up two goals away from home has guaranteed a loss, with them losing five out of five times. They've been slightly better at home, losing three out of six. However, things are much better for the Bees when they score two goals, as they've picked up two wins and a draw against Man City when they score two. Give up two and lose, score two (or more) and win. Who would have guessed?

Trends that continued

Shot blocking Bees

The Bees continued to be excellent shot blockers, picking up another 6 today, slightly above their season average of 5.3 blocks per game. Their six blocks came from only 13 Tottenham shot attempts.

Home losses

Unfortunately, the Bees recent trend of losses at home has continued. The Bees haven't won in Brentford since 7th December 2024 against Newcastle.

East goal own goals

The Bees had their second own goal of the season today, when the ball bounced in off of Vitaly Janelt's back. The only other own goal came from Ethan Pinnock on opening day against Crystal Palace. Both own goals came at the Gtech during 2pm starts on Sunday, and both goals went into the east goal.

Opponents scoring on their final shot

For the sixth time this season, Brentford's opponents have scored on their final shot of the game. Harry Wilson's goal at Fulham won the game – the others have either put the game out of reach, or been a late consolation for the losers. The Bees have only scored with their last shot once this season, when Yoane Wissa put in the fifth goal away at Southampton in early January.

Brentford opponents scoring on their final shot of the game (source FBref.com)

Match week	Date	Opponent	Time of goal	Goal scorer	Final score
3	31 August 2024	Southampton	90+5	Yukinari Sugawara	3-1 Brentford
5	21 September 2024	Tottenham	85	James Maddison	3-1 Spurs
7	5 October 2024	Wolves	90+3	Rayan Aït-Nouri	5-3 Brentford
10	4 November 2024	Fulham	90+7	Harry Wilson	2-1 Fulham
22	18 January 2025	Liverpool	90+3	Darwin Núñez	2-0 Liverpool
24	1 February 2025	Tottenham	87	Pape Matar Sarr	2-0 Spurs

What’s new

Flekken out

For the first time this season, Mark Flekken didn't start. It's only the second Premier League game that he's missed since joining the club in 2023. Hakon Valdimarsson made his first Premier League start. He previously came on as a sub against Brighton. Brentford is yet to win when he plays. Julian Eyestone was Valdimarsson's backup for the game, marking the first time he has been a part of the match day squad for the Bees.

Corner goal against

Brentford gave up a goal from a corner for only the second time this season, the first coming against Arsenal. They've lost both games where they've conceded from corners.

Spotting the opposition a goal, and losing

The Bees have done surprisingly well all season when the opposition scores first at the Gtech. Today's loss brings the record down to 3 wins, 3 losses and a draw.

Ten corners

Today was the second time that the Bees have earned ten corners in a game this season. The first time was in their 5-3 win against Wolves. Ethan Pinnock scored from a corner in that game. No such luck today.

Defending the east goal in the first half

For only the second time this season, Brentford defended the east goal in the first half. It's unclear if the Bees or Spurs made that decision. Was it related to the own goal? Only Vitaly knows.

Links

• Match report on brentfordfc.com
• Match report on bbc.co.uk
• Full match replay on brentfordfc.com
• Match stats on fbref.com

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