FROM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM - Brentford mounted a second-half comeback to dent Tottenham's European hopes, running out 3-1 winners in north London.
Spurs had complete control of the first half but were made to regret not killing the game off as the Bees came from behind to earn a third win at a big-six side.
Thomas Frank's side are now a point behind Tottenham and can still qualify for Europe if results go their way on the last day.
Tottenham took the lead after the five-minute mark through all-time record scorer Harry Kane. Frank Onyeka tripped Oliver Skipp just under 25 yards from goal and Spurs were awarded a free-kick. Dejan Kulusevski teed up Kane and he curled the ball right into the top corner.
The hosts looked to continue their fast start and were denied a second soon after. Son Heung-min managed to race in behind Aaron Hickey, but his shot from close range was kept out by David Raya.
Down the other end, Brentford looked to use pace to their advantage too. A mix-up between Emerson Royal and Davinson Sanchez allowed Kevin Schade to meet Ben Mee's long ball, and his low cross-cum-shot was put behind by Fraser Forster.
Midway through the first half, Rico Henry came to the Bees' rescue. A clever give-and-go between Son and Kulusevski saw the South Korean place a cross on Emerson's head, and his effort had to be cleared off the line by the Brentford left-back.
Brentford wanted a penalty when Bryan Mbeumo fell under a nudge from Ben Davies, but the contact was minimal and their protests were dismissed.
Just before the break, Tottenham twice went close to adding a second. Kane wriggled out of danger and found Son free in the middle of the pitch, moving over to the right to support Emerson. Son's cross was then flicked on by the head of Arnaut Danjuma and the ball narrowly bounced wide of the far post.
Soon after, Kulusevski again found Son with a clever reverse ball, and he cut inside to shoot, only for the retreating Ben Mee to deny him with a superb block.
Spurs were made to pay for not putting a second away when Brentford equalised just after half-time. Yoane Wissa skipped beyond a challenge from Clement Lenglet and found Bryan Mbeumo, who cut inside beyond a sleeping Ben Davies and found the bottom corner.
Ryan Mason's side could have regained the lead in the following minutes. Kulusevski flicked the ball over Mee's head and slipped through Kane, who fired all the way into row Z of the stadium's single-tier stand when bearing down on Raya.
On the hour mark, Tottenham found themselves behind. Hickey's pass inside Davies found Mbeumo sprinting in behind, and he picked out the same corner to give Brentford the lead.
Spurs' misery was compounded late on when Oliver Skipp was robbed of the ball by Shandon Baptiste on the edge of his own box, with Mbeumo working the ball to Wissa to put beyond Forster.
Entering nine minutes of stoppage side, Tottenham threw everyone forward in search of another goal, with Richarlison twice denied by flying Raya saves.
Boos rang around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full-time as Spurs were condemned to a 14th Premier League defeat of the season. Brentford remain firmly in the hunt for Europe.
Tottenham player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Fraser Forster - 4/10 - Moved in slow motion for Brentford's goals. Distribution was largely fine.
RB: Emerson Royal - 5/10 - Wasn't given the burners by Schade but was hardly pleased to see him running his way either.
CB: Davinson Sanchez - 5/10 - For the most part was fine defensively, though it was notable Tottenham couldn't really build from him.
CB: Clement Lenglet - 4/10 - Hardly evoked confidence, particularly when Davies needed help doubling up on Mbeumo.
LB: Ben Davies - 3/10 - And boy did Davies need help with Mbeumo. Gave him the freedom of north London to run in beyond him and cut inside, which was obviously going to happen.
CM: Oliver Skipp - 3/10 - Kept things simple in the midfield battle as needed, and then gifted the Bees their third goal.
CM: Yves Bissouma - 6/10 - Had a lot of joy in the centre of the park on his first start since returning from an ankle fracture. Will almost certainly be used more under a new permanent head coach.
RM: Arnaut Danjuma - 5/10 - Played with impetus and drive but failed to get the ball to stick on a rare start and chance to impress.
AM: Dejan Kulusevski - 7/10 - Looked reborn in a free role between the lines, picking out Son and Kane with his ingenuity.
LM: Son Heung-min - 5/10 - Stretched play as a runner and was unlucky not to find the net in the first half, but was much quieter after the break.
CF: Harry Kane - 8/10 - Up to 28 goals in the Premier League this season and this might have been the pick of the bunch. Dropped deep to link play as per.
Substitutes
Lucas Moura (66' for Danjuma) - 5/10
Pedro Porro (75' for Emerson) - 5/10
Richarlison (75' for Kulusevski) - 5/10
Ivan Perisic (85' for Davies) - N/A
Subs not used: Austin, Dier, Tanganga, Craig, Sarr,
Manager
Ryan Mason - 5/10 - Changed the system and initially got a response but he didn't have any further tricks up his sleeve once Spurs went behind.
Brentford player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya - 7/10 - Not much he could have done about Kane's opener. An impressive sweeping and kicking display at the home of a club interested in his services. Two huge saves at the end of the second half.
RB: Aaron Hickey - 7/10 - Enjoyed his duels with Son and supported Mbeumo well down the right. Equally comfortable stepping into midfield and it's easy to see why he's been linked to Manchester City.
CB: Ethan Pinnock - 6/10 - A bit sloppy with possession early in the day but was much improved thereafter.
CB: Ben Mee - 6/10 - Likewise had a couple of hairy moments but always looked comfortable and assured.
LB: Rico Henry - 8/10 - Outstanding. Gobbled up both Danjuma and Lucas, forcing them infield to clog up Kulusevski and Kane's space.
DM: Vitaly Janelt - 6/10 - Recovered from a so-so first half to stand his ground after the break as Brentford came biting back.
CM: Frank Onyeka - 5/10 - Played a little too high up the pitch as Brentford ceded the midfield battle and was hooked at the break.
CM: Mathias Jensen - 7/10 - Brentford's best performer in the first half at last got some support after the break. Spread play with relative ease.
RW: Bryan Mbeumo - 9/10 - Took complete control of the game after the restart. Two superb goals and one assist fired Brentford to a well-earned win.
CF: Yoane Wissa - 8/10 - Got little out of Sanchez and Lenglet as a standalone number nine at first, but then had more joy pulling them apart with his deft runs and pace.
LW: Kevin Schade - 5/10 - Gave Emerson and Sanchez a scare with a flash of pace but rarely ever used it.
Substitutes
Mikkel Damsgaard (46' for Onyeka) - 7/10 - Looked far more at home breaking Spurs down than Onyeka.
Shandon Baptiste (72' for Jensen) - 7/10
Zanka (78' for Schade) - 6/10
Subs not used: Strakosha, Roerslev, Ajer, Ghoddos, Trevitt, Dasilva
Manager
Thomas Frank - 8/10 - Whatever he said at half-time clearly worked. Another big result at a big-six side.
Player of the match - Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
This article was originally published on 90min as Tottenham 1-3 Brentford: Player ratings as Bees sink Spurs.
