The Premier League season resumed on Boxing Day, with Tottenham kicking off the action with their early trip to Brentford. Unfortunately for Antonio Conte's men, the North London side's match did not get off to a great start.
Kane and Co. were unable to impose themselves in the first half and were dominated by the Bees, with Thomas Frank's men taking the lead in the 15th minute courtesy of Vitaly Janelt. And in the second half, Eric Dier only went and made things worse for Spurs.
The visitors came out of the break flying and were the more impressive team. However, one comical error from the aforementioned English defender led to Tottenham going 2-0 down.
The 28-year-old made a horrible clearance under little to no pressure as his miscued attempt to boot the ball back up the pitch went behind him for a corner kick instead.
And if Dier was not embarrassed enough by that poor clearance, things were made worse as the Bees went on to double their lead from the subsequent corner. Ivan Toney, who has been in brilliant form this season, buried the ball past Fraser Foster. As a result, fans flocked to social media to slam the Englishman.
While Spurs clawed their way back into the tie, scoring twice in six minutes, Conte's men dropped two points after only managing a 2-2 draw. This means the North London giants could have won had they not conceded from that set piece. Check out the best tweets below.
Prime Eric Dier.
— FreeBets.com (@FreeBetsDotCom) December 26, 2022
Hang it in the Louvre.#BRETOT pic.twitter.com/VXc6Ch6obY
Eric Dier pic.twitter.com/PcSj6PgwTb
— Riv (@stavrin) December 26, 2022
Ivan Toney doubles Brentford's leads, sneaking in at the back post to tap home from a corner.
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 26, 2022
The corner was conceded following a suspect clearance from Eric Dier, he won't want to watch it back... pic.twitter.com/JclkgNM1Ir
I prefer not to speak. Eric Dier.
— (@thfc_MatthewSZN) December 26, 2022
Well done Eric Dier
— (@axelthfc) December 26, 2022
I'm just so fed up of Eric Dier. So fed up. #BRETOT pic.twitter.com/Ip2acXpQHP
— Talking THFC (@TalkingTHFC) December 26, 2022
Eric Dier giving out gifts to Brentford like he's Santa Claus, fair play pic.twitter.com/E1V6dB7wJu
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) December 26, 2022
Eric Dier just cost Tottenham, this is awful! pic.twitter.com/9D5pmFaa1g
— Terry Flewers (@terryflewers) December 26, 2022
That draw means that bitter rivals and league leaders Arsenal could move 10 points clear in their clash vs. West Ham and would still have a game in hand over Spurs. Meanwhile, Manchester United, who are in fifth, can move within a point of fourth-placed Tottenham despite having played two fewer games.