What happened between Neal Maupay and James Maddison | OneFootball

Tempers flared during Tottenham Hotspur's match with Brentford in the Premier League after James Maddison took exception to Neal Maupay's goal celebration in the first half. The two sides met at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in very different levels of form.

Ange Postecoglou's side have struggled to pick up results recently, and are yet to taste victory in 2024, while Brentford have been boosted by the return of Ivan Toney from suspension, and won their last game against Nottingham Forest 3-2, with the forward even getting on the scoresheet. It was more of the same from both sides too, as the visitors took the lead early on, with Maupay finding the back of the net after just 15 minutes.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man returned to Brentford in the summer but hasn't had the most prolific of seasons so far, scoring just four times in the Premier League. He was in the right place at the right time here, though. After Toney's shot was parried away by Guglielmo Vicario, the Frenchman pounced on the rebound. He wasted no time taking a shot at Maddison with his celebration too.

Maupay mocked Maddison's famous darts celebration

The Spurs midfielder hit back during post-match interview

Maupay decided to use Maddison's iconic celebration, and it's safe to say, it rubbed the attacking midfielder the wrong way. The Englishman was making his first start in months after recently recovering from a long-term injury but thought Maupay was mocking him with the use of his famous celebration.

He quickly marched over to the Frenchman and confronted him in dramatic fashion. First tapping the back of Maupay's head with his hand, he pulled him in close while the Brentford man returned the favour with a couple of light slaps to the chest. He then pushed Maddison away and walked away from the situation.

Maddison took dig at Maupay after the match

'He had to copy my goal celebration'

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Maddison shed light on what was said during his confrontation with the French striker, saying:

Maupay's comment about Maddison goes viral

Striker left a cheeky comment on Instagram

A savage comment from the former Leicester City playmaker, but as is Maupay's character, the Brentford forward was never going to let his peer have the final word. Taking to Instagram, the 27-year-old posted a picture of him using Maddison's celebration with the caption: "Gutted we couldn't get the win. More goals and less relegations in my career than James Maddison. We go again Monday Bees."

Spurs turned things around in the second half

Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson & Richarlison all got on the scoresheet

Despite holding onto their lead throughout the first half, the first 11 minutes of the second saw Brentford's hold on the game completely destabilise. Goals from Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison saw Spurs turn things around completely and Postecoglou's side held a two-goal lead by the 56th minute.

Of course, they had to get their own back at the Bees, too. Following Johnson's strike to give Spurs the lead for the first time in the game, the former Nottingham Forest man threw a shot back at Brentford, pretending to throw darts at the opposition players, before Maddison then mockingly did his own celebration too.

It's a level of petty that we think we can all, as football fans appreciate and has added an extra level of spice to this game.