Brentford’s forward pair of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa rightly made the headlines for scoring a goal apiece in the Bees’ Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday - but flying full-back Rico Henry was arguably the star of the show.

Shorn of the services of Ivan Toney and Harry Kane, both sides made light of missing their top scorers from last season to play out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Gtech Community Stadium.

Over the past five seasons, defender Henry has made more starts (156) and played more minutes (13,578) than any other outfield player for Brentford and the 26-year-old underlined his importance to the Bees with a vibrant display that saw him championed as “maybe our Man of the Match” afterwards by head coach Thomas Frank.

Henry's smart switch of play in the build-up to the west Londoners’ first goal - a penalty converted by Mbeumo - was followed by a trademark run down the left flank that culminated in the defender's cross being converted by Wissa for Brentford’s second of the afternoon.

Operating as part of a back five, Henry fashioned another glorious chance for Mbeumo and the Birmingham-born defender was a fantastic attacking outlet all game.

In addition to his assist, Henry played more key passes (3) and completed more dribbles (3) than any Brentford player against Tottenham and all the evidence confirms what a crucial component of this Bees team he has become.

It is perhaps no surprise to Brentford fans to know that no team in the Premier League focused more of their attacks down the left flank than the Bees (41 per cent) in 2022/23, and Henry’s ability to combine defensive cover with offensive threat is outstanding.

Last term, Henry ranked in Brentford’s top five players for tackles won, interceptions, free-kicks drawn, clearances, successful dribbles and key passes - and only two players in the entire division (Newcastle United’s Dan Burn and Leicester City’s Timothy Castagne) blocked more crosses.

With Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers still to play, Brentford (7) currently lead the Premier League for switches of play after gameweek one of the new campaign, and Henry’s desire to sprint in behind opposing defences makes him a perfect outlet for Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt in midfield.

Getting into dangerous positions is only half the battle, of course, and Henry’s cross for Brentford’s second was a clear illustration of his ability to make promising situations count.

A fantastic one-v-one defender, Henry has been in the frame for a possible England call-up in recent seasons - and he will be firmly on Gareth Southgate’s radar should he maintain his fine start to the new campaign.