31 January 2024 , 20:29
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Tottenham ace James Maddison was not exactly flattered by Neal Maupay's impression of the England midfielder's trademark goal celebration.
It was Maupay who fired Brentford in front early on in the first-half, sliding home the rebound after Ivan Toney's strike was saved. The Frenchman quickly rose to his feet and ran over to the nearest television camera, alongside team-mate Toney, to pretend to throw a dart - exactly how Maddison does whenever he finds the back of the net.
Maddison didn't exactly see the funny side. Cameras picked up the former Leicester star sarcastically patting Maupay on the back, before he soon gathered what the Spurs star was doing and did the same, patting him on the chest.
A very minor scuffle ensued as Maddison tried to move Maupay away, with Spurs team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur also doing his best to get rid of the goalscorer. The Brentford forward was doing his very best to get under the skin of his opponents.
Throughout the first half Maupay had minor run ins with Maddison, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski. His exchange with the latter saw the pair of them receive yellow cards as referee David Coote desperately tried to keep a lid on what was turning out to be a fiesty London derby.
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As the first half continued, Spurs' frustration grew as they worked to break down a resilient Brentford. From the perspective of the visitors, the game plan was clear - to stifle the attacking threat of their hosts and hit them on the counter.
An intelligent breakaway is what inspired the game's opening goal. Brentford took advantage of Spurs' high-line to release Toney, who arguably should have done better and beaten Guglielmo Vicario himself.
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James Maddison was not happy with Neal Maupay's impersonation of his trademark goal celebration (TNT Sports)Maupay certainly has his enemies in north London, with the striker also having a number of run-ins with Arsenal players. From his infamous clash with ex-Gunner Matteo Guendouzi, to a bust-up with Oleksandr Zinchenko last term, the forward is often a thorn in Arsenal's side.
But on this occasion, it was Maupay left looking a little foolish as the hosts stormed into the lead at the start of the second half. Destiny Udogie scored just three minutes after the break, before Brennan Johnson put them in front a minute later.
And Johnson made sure to return the favour with his own take on Maddison's celebration, before Richarlison did the same after making it 3-1 before the hour mark.