Spurs host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League but will be without Cristian Romero through injury
Tottenham Hotspur’s top-four ambitions suffered a blow as they lost 4-2 at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League with only a late rally saving them from their heaviest defeat since Ange Postecoglou became manager.
Victory would have put injury-hit Spurs above Manchester City into fourth spot but they were mauled on the south coast as a Brighton side also missing key players ran riot.
A powerful early strike by Josh Hinshelwood and Joao Pedro’s penalty gave the hosts a deserved 2-0 lead at half-time as Tottenham struggled to deal with Brighton’s intensity. The visitors responded in the second half with Richarlison having a goal disallowed but when half-time substitute Pervis Estupinan sent a thunderbolt past Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario and Pedro netted a second penalty the game seemed over.
However, when Tottenham’s late substitute Alejo Veliz fired home from close range in the 75th minute and Ben Davies scored with a header a miraculous comeback suddenly looked possible. Midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hit the post for Spurs in stoppage time as Brighton looked nervy but they held on to move into eighth place in the table while Tottenham remain fifth.
Relive all the action below:
Six goals and all sorts of drama at the Amex but at the end of it, Brighton climb to eighth in the Premier League and Spurs stay fifth. The best goal of the six was undoubtedly Pervis Estupinan’s stunner! Check it out here:
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:38
FULL-TIME! Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
It’s all over! What a post-Christmas treat that was. Brighton deservedly win after racing into a 4-0 lead. Spurs made it interesting late on with a couple of goals back but the Seagulls hold on to climb to eighth in the table.
(REUTERS)
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:33
Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
90+9 mins: Lo Celso wins a free-kick 30 yards out and Spurs take it quickly. Gil curls a cross in, it’s headed in the air and Steele gratefully grabs it.
That should be that for Brighton now. They’ve survived the onslaught.
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:31
Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
90+7 mins: The ball is just beyond the reach of Son at the back post as on the stretch he can only turn it into the side-netting. Brighton survive.
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:30
POST! Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
90+5 mins: WOW! The drama here! Hojbjerg curls a shot from just inside the area after Udogies’ pass and it strikes the right post! Steele was beaten…
Then a penalty appeal as Estupinan blocks Lo Celso’s follow-up and Tottenham are desperate for handball but Estupinan’s arms were firmly behind his back.
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:28
Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
90+3 mins: Adam Lallana comes on for Joao Pedro. A few more precious seconds wasted for Brighton, although Pedro inexplicably runs off rather than taking his time…
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:26
Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
90 mins: Nine minutes of added time. I repeat, NINE minutes of added time…
Great block by Dunk as Veliz turns in the box and tries to get a shot aware. This must be torture for Seagulls fans! Luckily Kulusevski gives them a reprieve by firing well over the top from 25 yards.
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:23
Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
89 mins: This is getting seriously nervy for Brighton now!
Firstly a free-kick from the left is whipped in but too long, then a half-hearted penalty appeal from Son after a challenge from Estupinan. Gil then gets a shot blocked. Backs to the wall for the Seagulls!
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:22
GOAL! Brighton 4-2 Tottenham (Ben Davies 86’)
Well, well, well… Maybe a comeback could be on…?
Spurs now have a second goal back. A short corner routine is blocked but Porro then whips the ball in from the left and Ben Davies heads it into the corner! Steele probably should have come and claimed that but once he didn’t, Davies took it well.
Four minutes of normal time left, Spurs need two goals…
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:20
83 mins: Hmmm, interesting point about that goal. Kulusevski has been injured blocking Dunk’s clearance. Replays show that it’s actually a bit nasty from Dunk. A heavy touch took the ball away from him and as Kulusevski nips in, it’s more tackle than clearance and it takes out the Swede’s standing leg.
Yellow card for Dunk and after a long bit of treatment, Kulusevski is back up.
Luke Baker28 December 2023 21:18
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
