After making a mess of it, Miami must now make most of Messi

How it felt to see Messi first

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

The best players, coaches & teams of the 21st century - ranked

The 25 best USMNT players of the 21st century - ranked

Scenario which could see Wrexham doc viewers switch off

Vini Jr's struggles continue as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

Twellman reportedly investigated for physical altercation

Does USMNT star Pulisic have surprising Premier League suitor?

‘Don’t like that’ – Messi questioned by USMNT legend

Pepi on offensive, Turner gets defensive in feisty USMNT win

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Spurs and Brentford in heated clash</li><li>North London side prevail 3-2</li><li>Postecoglou makes UFC comment</li></ul>

Tottenham x UFC?! Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou makes bizarre MMA threat after bad-tempered victory over Brentford

Premier League

Everton

Brentford

Tottenham

Bees striker Neal Maupay riled up the home crowd and players when scoring the opener at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-james-maddison-fuming-sh-thouse-neal-maupay-tottenham-darts-celebration-brentford/blt4b74bc896f3328f2" target="_blank">mimicking James Maddison's iconic darts celebration</a> much to the displeasure of the England international and his Spurs team-mates. That set the tone for what ended up being a feisty encounter in north London, and Postecoglou continued the fighting talk after the full-time whistle.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Asked about Maupay's actions giving his players any extra motivation, the Spurs boss replied: "I hope not because that’s exactly what I’m talking about. I’m not a fan of it, I don’t like the whole bravado, pushing people around. 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. And they shouldn’t get motivated by things that aren’t really that important to us. Like I said, we got sucked in first half. Second half was much better.”

WHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

Despite Postecoglou's wishes, Spurs forward Brennan Johnson admitted to getting frustrated by Brentford's behaviour before settling in the second period, as he told reporters post-match: "We expected what was going to come, for them to get set pieces and play a tough game and we fell for it in the first half. We were getting riled up by some of their players. Second half, we just had to take a deep breath and play our football. It was one of those games, the manager said it, once we score one, we will score two and three, those were his exact words. As soon as we scored that first goal so early, we had to keep that momentum going."

WHAT JOHNSON SAID

Johnson, Postecoglou and Spurs ended up having the last laugh at full-time, though, with the Welshman on target alongside Destiny Udogie and Richarlison in the second half. Ivan Toney bagged his second goal in as many games <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ivan-toney-brentford-premier-league-ban-nottingham-forest/blt7c7145bbb318da7b" target="_blank">since returning from an eight-month suspension</a>, but it only ended up being a consolation as Spurs held on for all three points.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The thrilling 3-2 victory puts Tottenham back in Champions League contention. Postecoglou's side leapfrog Aston Villa into fourth on goal difference, with their next challenge coming away at Everton on Saturday.

WHAT NEXT FOR SPURS?

Tottenham x UFC?! Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou makes bizarre MMA threat after bad-tempered victory over Brentford | Goal.com US

Ange Postecoglou challenged his Tottenham players to sort out their differences with Brentford in a UFC ring after a full-blooded win on Wednesday.