Tottenham Hotspur player ratings against Brentford: A 3/10 and four 4s - but two 6s

They’re all “on the beach already”, or at least Brentford were for the first half and Spurs for the second. This final home match of the season was an opportunity squandered for Spurs to go out on a high.

The 3-1 away win for Brentford came towards the end of another good season for the west London club, whereas Spurs have underperformed and are in flux and crisis.

On a pleasantly warm summer lunchtime, the first half had a bit of a feel of a ‘nice day in the park with a ball and some stubbies’.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cristian Romero were both out injured, giving manager Ryan Mason the chance to shuffle the pack. Davinson Sanchez and Clement Lenglet made up the centre-back pairing, with Yves Bissouma coming into the team at the end of an injury-plagued season, and Arnaut Danjuma given a rare start on the right. With Son on the left, Kulusevski started in the middle, supporting Kane.

Spurs took the lead early with a wonderful Kane strike after Kulusevski gently laid back a free-kick, and it all looked easy during a very capable first-half display.

But after the break Tottenham sleep-walked into an equaliser from the west London team, the ball coming across the edge of the box and Bryan Mbuemo placing it well into the corner. Brentford took the lead with Mbuemo again, getting in behind the defence before finishing well.

Spurs did work hard to get back in the game, but were unable to break through, and an Oliver Skipp error led to a chance for Yoane Wissa, who made no mistake.

Fraser Forster (5)

Although they didn’t come off, the keeper was looking for early balls from the back, giving Son and Danjuma something to chase coming infield. Since his arrival he has been an able deputy for Hugo Lloris and he couldn’t have done much about the goals in this game.

Oliver Skipp (4)

It was a tidy display from Skipp until the bad touch and then error in possession which gave the ball away for the third goal. But this is a league where mistakes get punished.

The young Englishman has had a run of games now and looks like he could be a part of the rebuilt team’s future. His hunger for the ball drew the foul leading to Kane’s early goal.

Davinson Sanchez (4)

After his humiliating substitution as sub against Bournemouth last month, Mason put his faith in Sanchez ahead of Dier, Tanganga or Davies at centre back. It was a nervy start with Kevin Schade skinning him at the touchline, leading to a reprimand from Royal. Overall it wasn’t a bad performance, but shaky moments continued.

Heung-min Son (5)

A peak Son might have motored away to score an early goal when put through by Kane, but it was blocked by Rayas. Better was a one-two with Kulusevski which allowed him to dink a ball back across - Royal’s header denied by a goal-line clearance. He will have been disappointed to see his shot blocked when he cut in late in the first half and though he worked hard in the second half, he could not find that yard that he uses so well.

Harry Kane (6)

The crowd had just begun a “one of our own” chant as he hit the early wonder strike (a marvellous dive from David Raya added to its splendour). Minutes later he played Son through for what could and perhaps should have been a second.

But the striker has seen too many games like this, where the team cannot build on his moments of excellence. On the long list of questions for Spurs this summer, Kane’s future is not a minor one.

Emerson Royal (5)

The Brazilian is comfortable on the right in a four, and enjoyed a battle with Schade on the wing. He was still able to drive forward though and a placed header was denied by a goal-line clearance.

Arnaut Danjuma (4)

The Netherlands striker on loan from Villareal has had very few chances to impress at Spurs. He enjoyed the freedom on the left, and could have had a first-half goal but his improvised header looped wide.

His game came to an end after 65 minutes, and although he looked lively, he could not create anything decisive .

Dejan Kulusevski (4)

Plenty of players have a point to prove this season, and Deki is one who hasn’t been at his best. Here he had the chance to express himself as a 10, and the assist with the free-kick lay off was a great start. He threatened the goal in the first half and right at the end forced a good save.

Ben Davies (3)

The Welshman has long been an underrated servant of the club and left-back in a four is probably his best position. But after a solid first half hour, the defender could have done more to block the shot from Bryan Mbuemo for the equaliser. And then Mbuemo managed to run in behind him 20 minutes later before placing the ball in the corner once again. A badly misplaced pass after 80 minutes illustrated how the game slipped away from him.

Clement Lenglet (5)

Although caretaker manager Mason thinks Spurs should sign the on-loan Barcelona player permanently, it’s still doubtful whether they will. After a display against Crystal Palace last week, this was another controlled performance.

Yves Bissouma (6)

The former Brighton midfielder has had a torrid time at Spurs, having been such an exciting signing last summer. Injuries have dogged him and Antonio Conte never seemed to show faith. He worked hard at the base of midfield here and although the scoreline went against the team, he efficiently marshalled the midfield for much of the game.

Substitutes

Lucas Moura (5)

With 25 minutes to go, Spurs’ hero of Amsterdam got a run out to try to find a goal, slotting in behind Kane with Kulusevski going out wide. The Brazilian has had very little game time this season but did raise noise levels in the stadium, briefly, with a couple of runs early on, and continued to scrap for chances until the end.

Pedro Porro

He quickly looked a threat wide on the right but could not find a killer cross - or get a shot past the blocking defenders.

Richarlison

Richarlison came on with 15 minutes to go, in place of Kulusevski, with whom he is vying for a spot this season. Neither are firing - or getting the breaks. In injury time, he twice in rapid succession put perfectly good headers on target, only for Raya to find saves.

Ivan Perisic

A late cameo from the veteran, who was unable to make a major impact.