Match report as Leandro Trossard's goal secures Brighton's first home win of the season; Spurs struggle on the south coast and slip to back-to-back defeats; Brighton move seven points clear of the relegation zone; Spurs stay sixth
Sunday 31 January 2021 22:03, UK
Brighton boosted their survival chances after securing their first home success of the season with a 1-0 victory over a lacklustre Tottenham.
Graham Potter's side were by far the better of the two sides in the first half, but they only had Leandro Trossard's 17th-minute strike to show for their dominance.
Spurs, who handed Gareth Bale just his second Premier League start since his return to the club in place of the injured Harry Kane, struggled for any sort of rhythm and it took them until the 75th minute to fashion their first real chance as Robert Sanchez brilliantly saved substitute Carlos Vinicius' strike.
Brighton spurned a golden opportunity late on through Aaron Connolly to make the game safe, but they weren't punished as Spurs failed to find an equaliser on what was a disappointing night for Jose Mourinho and his side.
Victory sees Brighton move seven points clear of the relegation zone, while the result means Spurs, who have suffered back-to-back defeats in the league, stay sixth.
Brighton showed their intentions from the off as Pascal Gross' shot struck the upright after good play from Alexis Mac Allister.
Mac Allister was at the centre of everything for Brighton as they dominated the game and his pass helped create the opener. He picked out Gross in behind and the German cut the ball back for Trossard to steer in at the near post.
It was a deserved lead and they continued to push Spurs back as Mourinho cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines.
Steven Bergwijn fired wide from the edge of the penalty area, but that's as close as Spurs came in what was a below-par first-half performance.
For all their dominance, however, Brighton could not find a second goal before the break. Lewis Dunk's header, which looked to be drifting wide of the target, was headed away by Bale near the goal line, while Mac Allister fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Mourinho reacted to his side's poor showing by bringing on Vinicius for Davinson Sanchez, and the striker almost had an immediate impact as his header forced goalkeeper Sanchez into a save at his near post.
Brighton still had chances to extend their lead and Spurs needed Hugo Lloris to show sharp reactions to keep out Ben White's flick towards goal.
Spurs made further changes as they looked to get back into the match. Bale was replaced by Lucas Moura, while Tanguy Ndombele made way for Erik Lamela, but it was Brighton who created another chance to extend their advantage.
Neal Maupay found space in between defenders but he could not get enough on Solly March's cross to trouble Lloris.
Spurs finally clicked into gear 15 minutes from time and Sanchez had to be at his very best to keep out Vinicius' powerful strike at his near post.
Brighton then passed up a golden opportunity to seal all three points as a casual Connolly failed to get his shot past Alderweireld with the goal at his mercy. However, it didn't prove to be a crucial miss as Brighton held on for what could be a vital victory in their fight to stay in the top flight.
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp: "Brighton should have won the game more comfortably.
"Tottenham had a lack of energy, a lack of desire, they were lacklustre. All the basics.
"You can say that 'yes, Harry Kane wasn't playing'. But they have only won two of their last eight games when he was playing.
"There's something wrong with this Tottenham team."
Sky Sports' Graeme Souness: "Were Spurs so poor or Brighton so good? The reality was something in between.
"The kindest thing I can say about Spurs is that they were lacking energy."
Brighton boss Graham Potter: "Fantastic. No other word. I thought from the start of the game we were brave, aggressive, had personality on the pitch, some quality, scored a really good goal, attacked well and reduced the opposition to not too much. Overall, just a really, really good performance.
"Any goal is a good goal for us to score because they have not been easy for us to come by in this league, but I thought it came as a result of some sustained pressure. I am delighted for Leo because he has been near often.
"We weathered the response from Tottenham really well and still had some chances ourselves. Rob had to make a save but apart from that there wasn't too much for us. I am delighted for the players. It is an important win, a clean sheet, three points and I don't have to answer questions about our home form for a bit so that is nice!"
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho: "I saw two different halves; the first half, where I saw immediately we made two mistakes in a row. They hit the post from one, the other one was a goal. The boys felt too much the goal that we conceded in the first half. It was a sad half. In the second half, especially in the last 30 minutes, I saw a team with a different soul.
"I saw a team that was ready to give everything and was ready to gamble everything. To finish the way we did, probably the boys deserved more than what we got. The last feeling is usually the one that you take home, so I leave with positive feelings because my boys showed in the last 30 minutes that they wanted anything but a defeat.
"We didn't start well and my team was a bit sad. To concede a goal at the beginning of the game brought even more sadness, and knocked our self-esteem. The team was suffering but the second half saw a completely different attitude. We were trying everything and the spirit in the second half was good.
"Some individuals were suffering with fatigue, but they tried until the last second. A defeat brings always a bad feeling, and the performance wasn't very good, but I leave with a positive feeling towards my boys."
Sky Sports' Alan Smith: "Alexis Mac Allister had an excellent game, but Gross just pips him. He's been brilliant.
"He was instrumental in everything Brighton did well against Spurs. He also set up the all-important goal."
Brighton are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Liverpool in the Premier League; kick-off 8.15pm.
Meanwhile, Tottenham play on Thursday when they host Chelsea; kick-off 8pm.
