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Dominic Solanke got off the mark for Tottenham as Ange Postecoglou's side defeated Brentford 3-1 in a frantic encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The visitors were ahead inside 22 seconds for a second week running, as Bryan Mbeumo lashed Keane Lewis-Potter's cross into the top right corner. But the remainder of a frenzied first half belonged to Spurs.

Seven minutes after Mbeumo's brilliant opener, the hosts were level thanks to Solanke, answering his critics with an instinctive finish after James Maddison's initial shot had been generously palmed into his path.

Seizing momentum, Spurs then took the lead in the 28th minute when Brennan Johnson was released by Heung-Min Son, and he rifled a perfectly precise strike across Mark Flekken - who continues to be the busiest goalkeeper of any in the Premier League.

As it happened: How Spurs completed impressive turnaround

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Brentford were carved open many more times throughout an unusually disorganised display.

Solanke presented tireless Son with a chance for Spurs' third, while Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski were also denied, before Mbeumo had a rare opportunity to snatch a leveller at the opposite end, stopped in his tracks by Guglielmo Vicario, who, moments before, looked to have handled the ball outside his box.

The final say was Maddison's, though. Cristian Romero launched a quick counter-attack, linking with Son, who unselfishly threaded the ball to Maddison five minutes from time, and he dinked over Flekken.

Tottenham's second win of the season has lifted them to tenth, while Brentford - who have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side since the start of last season (36) - have slipped to 12th.

Should Vicario have been penalised?

Brentford were rightly furious in the 58th minute when Vicario appeared to clumsily handle outside his area after he tried but failed to claim a cross ahead of Mikkel Damsgaard.

The whole episode was bizarrely missed by on-field official John Brooks, prompting angry responses from Kristoffer Ajer and Thomas Frank, who were both booked for dissent.

The outcome, by the letter of the law, should have been a free-kick and yellow card for Vicario, but Frank was clear the incident "didn't define the game". VAR can only intervene for a red-card incident, which this would have been if there was the denial of a goal or goalscoring opportunity.

Speaking in his press conference, Frank said: "He handballed it, but that incident didn't define the game. The margins need to go our way. It was a mistake, it could have helped us, but the probability for scoring from that is low. John Brooks, overall, had a very good game."

Postecoglou praises 'relentless' Spurs

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou:

"It wasn't an ideal start. But it was like it never happened. We knew Brentford would be aggressive, and we love that part of the game.

"We thought if we brought our own intensity we could cause problems, and we were relentless the whole game. We fully deserved the win.

"The whole team was good. Really focused on making sure we dominated the game. Brentford try to play out, and that's great for us, because we like to press hard. The midfielders played a key role with that.

"For all of our play, we haven't really got the rewards up until this point. Three leaders in the club contributed to the third goal, and that's what you're looking for in those moments."

Frank: We're missing strongest players

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:

"We always try to come here to win, you see that today, there is no away ground we are fearful of.

"I like the bravery from my players. We play a team that are fully firing, and we are missing five of our strongest players. That's just to put things into perspective.

"No moaning, no complaints. It's my job to put a competitive team out there. I saw a very good Spurs team today."

Story of the match in stats...

Analysis: Spurs begin to reveal best side

When Tottenham click they can be devastating. By far their most complete display of the season, Spurs' big hitters all stood up to the count, and took collective responsibility for delivering an 'Ange-ball' style performance.

Solanke opened his Spurs account, Johnson scored in consecutive matches for the first time since joining a year ago, and Maddison scored and assisted in the same game for the first time since May 2023.

Postecoglou called his team relentless, registering 23 efforts on goal - 10 on target - and generating an xG of 3.51 - their highest of the season. This was a triumph of patience.

It was only a matter of time before new parts began to sync with old, in a more cohesive and productive way, Postecoglou had insisted. But doubters pointed to Spurs' profligacy in games up until this point.

"We haven't got just rewards until now," Postecoglou responded. Now he must back it up.

What's coming up in the Premier League?

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Tottenham's late turnaround secured a 2-1 win over Championship side Coventry to progress to the Carabao Cup fourth round and keep four trophies available to Ange Postecoglou in his pursuit of second-season silverware.

Postecoglou took some by surprise when he fielded a side full of fringe players, days after making a point of saying that he "always" wins trophies in the second season at his clubs. Ultimately, his stars had to come on to rescue the game.

"There is no easy or quick fix to where we want to get to and one result doesn't change that," Postecoglou told Sky Sports. "We showed what we have been missing the first four games. We have lacked a little bit of an edge and hopefully tonight gives the boys a little bit of belief."

Coventry were superior side throughout and led until two minutes from regulation time after Brandon-Thomas Asante's opener just past the hour. They could have been further ahead but Ben Davies stopped Haji Wright's goalbound shot.

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Djed Spence, a half-time introduction who many thought had no future at Spurs before the summer, poked in an equaliser after 88 minutes thanks to his fellow substitute Dejan Kuluseveski's through ball.

Brennan Johnson then dinked over goalkeeper Ben Wilson, who produced a top save to deny Kulusveski not long before, in stoppage time to seal the win and send Spurs into the next round of the Carabao Cup, breaking Coventry hearts and saving his side's blushes.

Watch Spurs' late goals

Redknapp: Ange took liberties tonight

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:

"Spurs were so poor and going nowhere fast. Ange will be mightily relieved. But they have to make sure that this is a turning point for them.

"I didn't like the team he picked. I'm a big fan of Ange but l thought he took liberties tonight.

"He didn't select a strong enough team but he has got away with it.

"Tottenham were diabolical up until the goals. Coventry were the better team. Ange Postecoglou will be so relieved.

"Tottenham got away with one, they were very, very fortunate."

Postecoglou: No quick fix for Spurs

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a tough game. Credit to Coventry, I thought they were outstanding. They really took it to us. We had to hang in there somehow and we did. In the end credit to the lads. It was a typical cup tie."

On the performance: "We weren't as fluid performance-wise. Some of that is down to Coventry, they played with high energy. In the end I was pleased both for Djed [Spence] and Brennan [Johnson]. They have come on and made the difference for us and made a difference in the game."

On what Brennan Johnson's goal will do for his confidence: "Hopefully a great deal. He's a fantastic young man, a great player. I have a lot of time for him because he works so hard every day. He took his goal well tonight and he made a good impact."

On how significant the result is for Spurs: "There is no easy or quick fix to where we want to get to and one result doesn't change that. We showed what we have been missing the first four games, a little bit of spirit to fight and win. We have lacked a little bit of an edge and hopefully tonight gives the boys a little bit of belief."

Johnson wants the chaos to stop at Spurs

Tottenham goalscorer Brennan Johnson speaking toSky Sports: "It was really difficult. There wasn't one part of us that underestimated Coventry. We have played them a few times and know they play good football. At times we let them off too easy and gave them too many chances. We were under some real pressure but we will always keep going."

On chaos in the game: "That has happened too many times. It has been a bit too chaotic. We gave the ball away too many times, we weren't too much of a threat. For most of the game we didn't play forward enough. The goals came from quick play and that's what we want to do more often."

On his goal: "It was really nice. It's a great feeling to score especially so late. To get in the next round is really important. Penalties is a toss of a coin so getting the goal really late was very beneficial."

Coventry boss Robins: We had to be more ruthless

Coventry boss Mark Robins speaking to Sky Sports: "For the most part we defended really well when we needed to but also played some good football when we could.

"We worked hard because they worked hard out of possession. I always want us to be brave in possession. We went a bit too long too soon but then settled down into some decent rhythm.

"That's what we have to take out of this game, we have to be more ruthless.

"We deserved something out of that game and we should have gone on and won it."

When is the fourth-round draw?

The Carabao Cup fourth-round draw will take place live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of Liverpool vs West Ham on Wednesday September 25.

Ball numbers for the draw will be finalised on the morning of Wednesday 25 September.

The fourth round ties will take place week commencing October 28.

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