Brentford 2, Tottenham Hotspur 2

by Layth Yousif

Premier League football finally returned on Boxing Day after a break of more than six weeks as this west vs north London derby ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw, after the visitors rallied to earn a point from two goals down.

Brentford's Vitaly Janelt put the home side ahead on 15 minutes, prior to Ivan Toney doubling the lead early in the second half. That was before Harry Kane pulled a goal back with 25 minutes remaining prior to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's equaliser on 71 minutes.

The result saw the Bees ease to ninth spot while the visitors consolidated fourth place ahead of the afternoon's round of fixtures.

With return of the top-flight after its enforced mid-season 'break', the home fans were in good spirits early on, buoyed by the knowledge that Bees boss Thomas Frank had put pen to a long-term contract extension.

This was underlined no doubt by Bees fans singing immediately after kick-off: 'Harry Kane/You let your county down,' - then adding for good measure: 'Ivan Toney/He would have scored that.' The reference being to the Spurs and England captain missing his penalty in the World Cup quarter finals against France, while, in contrast, in-form Bees striker Toney was omitted from Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad.

By signing his new deal, Frank, the highly-regarded Dane is attempting to continue the astonishing work that this unprepossessing club - nestled between the A4 flyover and Kew Bridge - has already achieved, not least in fighting their way to the topflight. Prior to establishing themselves as a force not to be taken lightly.

The 4-0 humiliation of Manchester United earlier this term, and arguably the best result in their history - as Frank had suggested when referencing their 2-1 victory at Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the final match before the break - underline that the Bees are firmly here to stay.

Further rejoicing came on 15 minutes when the Bees 24-year-old former Bochum midfielder slotted home to put the home side 1-0 ahead after Fraser Forster partially saved Mathias Jensen's shot following good work by Bryan Mbeumo.

While the Bees fans serenading volatile visiting boss Antonio Conte with a chorus of 'You're getting sacked in the morning' was more of a Boxing Day trifle than a Christmas wish, the fact was that Janelt's strike ensured that Spurs had conceded the opening goal in their last nine consecutive games in all competitions.

Son Heung-min started the match, complete with protective mask he continues to wear to during his ongoing recovery from the broken cheekbone he picked up in the south of France during Spurs Champions League clash with Marseille before the World Cup.

Yet during a relatively low-key first half, the South Korean superstar failed to make an impact as Frank's Bees buzzed around their opponents with muscular intensity, underscored by an obdurate backline trio.

Brentford carried on their dominance into the early stages of the second half when striker Toney - surely motivated by a point to prove by featuring on the same pitch as faltering England captain Kane - doubled the home side's lead nine minutes after the interval.

The 26-year-old attacker slotted home from close range to make it 2-0 following Bees captain Christian Norgaard's flick-on in a crowded box after Mbeumo's intelligent corner.

However, given Spurs pedigree it was unsurprising that eventually the visitors would rally, with Kane heading home Clement Lenglet's deep cross past David Raya to make the score 2-1 on 65 minutes.

In a breathless spell, with 19 minutes remaining, Conte's side levelled through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's well taken drive that guided the ball well beyond the reach of Raya to make the score 2-2.

Despite both sides seemingly shaken off a lacklustre and shapeless first half display where they struggled to find their rhythm following the enforced and unwanted break to the top flight of English football, neither could force a winner in the dying stages.

Unlike many festive offerings at this time of year, the football on show was neither stodgy nor unwelcome, as fans were duly entertained as the Premier League made a welcome return.

And despite dropping two points when well set, Frank's impressive progress in aiding Brentford's upward trajectory continues.