Ange tells fighting players to 'get into UFC cage' after Spurs win

Ange Postecoglou told his players to concentrate on football rather than bravado after they beat Brentford 3-2 in an ill-tempered match.

Spurs fell behind after 15 minutes when Neal Maupay struck for the visitors — but they fought back to lead 3-1 early in the second half, with goals from Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison.

Postecoglou's side held on for a victory that takes them above Aston Villa and into fourth in the Premier League table despite Ivan Toney pulling a goal back.

But the 58-year-old was frustrated by his side's indiscipline in stages of the game, particularly referencing James Maddison's reaction to Maupay mimicking his darts goal celebration.

The Tottenham boss said: "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.

"In the second half, we were really good for the first 25 minutes. We scored three goals and could have had a couple more."

Tottenham will be fancied to keep hold of that Champions League spot with no other competitions to distract them.

And with Maddison starting his first match since November, their injury crisis is also easing.

Postecoglou added: "We haven't been far away from it all year.

"We'll try and stay in it and see where it takes us."

Spurs face Everton at Goodison Park in their next outing on Saturday.