KWXavi Simons delivered a sensational performance to guide Tottenham Hotspur to their first Premier League home victory since August, securing a crucial 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday.
With pressure growing after three defeats in four games and a lack of spark in recent home fixtures, Thomas Frank turned to his former protégé and the decision paid off quickly.
Simons set up Richarlison for the breakthrough midway through the first half before capping off his own brilliant display with a superb solo strike just before the break, his first goal for Spurs in 19 appearances.
Frank warmly greeted opposite number Keith Andrews and staff from his old club ahead of kick-off, but the focus soon shifted to Simons, who was making his first start since early November.
Eager to impress, the £52 million signing linked play with energy as Spurs looked determined to avoid another sluggish opening like the one against Fulham.
Early opportunities came and went — Micky van de Ven headed over before Richarlison saw a strike blocked by Nathan Collins. Simons also fired off target as Tottenham began to assert control.
Brentford’s quiet start was broken only by Igor Thiago’s sharp effort that forced Guglielmo Vicario into action.
Then came the breakthrough on 25 minutes. After a positive burst forward from Simons, Pedro Porro clipped a clever pass into the area, and the Dutchman squared unselfishly to Richarlison, who smashed home the hosts’ first shot on target in a Premier League first half for five weeks.
Confidence surged. Simons tried an ambitious volley, and Caoimhín Kelleher had to deny Randal Kolo Muani from a Porro corner as Spurs pushed for more.
They found it in style just before half-time. Simons initially lost possession but immediately won it back, drove from the halfway line, powered beyond Yehor Yarmoliuk, and finished clinically into the bottom corner, sparking his trademark phone-call celebration atop the advertising boards.
Tottenham continued to dominate after the restart. Djed Spence should have made it three when he raced through only for Kelleher to block, while Mohammed Kudus tested the keeper with a fierce strike. Simons also went close again following a poor Brentford clearance.
Kudus later drew the ire of Cristian Romero for unnecessary showboating that handed Brentford a throw-in, but the moment proved inconsequential as Spurs stood firm defensively, with Romero sliding in brilliantly to halt Thiago’s late threat.
In the end, Simons’ brilliance ensured Spurs finally celebrated a home league win once more and hinted at a brighter path ahead.
