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Ange Postecoglou leads Tottenham back into the top four after comeback win over Brentford in spicy clash

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Tottenham got the better of a fiery London derby against Brentford in the English Premier League.
Camera IconTottenham got the better of a fiery London derby against Brentford in the English Premier League. Credit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Tottenham have returned to the Premier League’s top four after a flurry of goals early in the second half helped them come from behind to beat Brentford 3-2 in a fiery London derby.

Neal Maupay put the Bees ahead after quarter of an hour, with the Frenchman’s goal celebration - appearing to mock Spurs star James Maddison - providing the catalyst for a spiky clash.

Destiny Udogie levelled for Spurs three minutes after halftime, with Brennan Johnson put the hosts ahead a minute later and Richarlison adding a third for the hosts soon after.

Ivan Toney reduced the deficit in the 67th minute but Postecoglou’s team hung on to take the three points and leapfrog Aston Villa in the table.

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Asked whether Maupay’s celebration had fired up his players in what was a physical confrontation, Postecoglou was unimpressed.

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“I’m not a fan of it. I don’t like the whole bravado, pushing people around,” he said.

“If you’re that brave about things, my players and their players, get into a UFC cage and I’ll see how brave they are.

“We’re out there to play football and that’s what I want our guys to do, focus on playing football.

“They shouldn’t get motivated by things that aren’t really that important to us.”

At Anfield, youngster Conor Bradley registered his first Liverpool goal along with two assists as the Premier League leaders thumped Chelsea 4-1 to go five points clear at the top.

The 20-year-old right-back fired into the bottom corner in the 39th minute to double the Reds’ lead having earlier provided the pass that led to Diogo Jota’s opener midway through the first half.

Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during.
Camera IconLiverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during. Credit: Jon Super/AP

After Darwin Nunez sent a penalty against the post in first-half stoppage-time - one of four times he hit the woodwork - the advantage was extended in the 65th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai headed in from Bradley’s cross.

Christopher Nkunku replied before Luis Diaz wrapped things up for Jurgen Klopp’s men as they made it 15 league matches unbeaten in their first top-flight outing since the German coach’s announcement he is to step down at the end of the season.

A miserable evening for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea ended a three-match winning run as they stayed 10th.

Manchester City, who have played a game fewer than Liverpool, returned to second place with their fourth league victory on the bounce - beating struggling Burnley 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Julian Alvarez netted twice on his 24th birthday and Rodri also got on the scoresheet before top-scorer Erling Haaland made his comeback from injury as a 71st-minute substitute.

Ameen Al-Dakhil netted a stoppage-time consolation for second-bottom Burnley as Pep Guardiola’s treble-winners went above Arsenal on goal difference.

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