The traditional Boxing Day in the English Premier League got off to a promising start. In the first game in England's top league on Boxing Day, FC Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2 (1-0) after an entertaining 90 minutes.

England soccer star Harry Kane (65th minute) and former Bundesliga professional Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg (71st) saved fourth-placed Tottenham a draw after being 0-2 down.

For Kane, who missed a penalty in England's World Cup quarter-final against France, it was the tenth Premier League goal on Boxing Day. This made the attacker the sole record scorer in this ranking, ahead of Robbie Fowler (9).

Tottenham without Romero and Lloris

Brentford, who surprisingly won 2-1 at champions Manchester City before the league break because of the World Cup, had taken the lead through German professional Vitaly Janelt (15th) and goalscorer Ivan Toney (54th).

At Tottenham, the newly cut Argentinian world champion Cristian Romero was not in the squad. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who as captain lost the World Cup final with France on penalties, was only on the bench on his 36th birthday due to stress. "After a World Cup, it's important to give the players a little rest," said coach Antonio Conte.

Unlike in other top European leagues, the ball also rolls in the Premier League at Christmas. The term "Boxing Day" goes back to an old British tradition on December 26th, on which day employees usually received a Christmas box from their employers . The first Boxing Day in the Premier League took place in 1966.