Jack brings some reason to a very emotional game
A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( 24 )
8 APRIL 2023
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 ( Heung-Min Son 1 Harry Kane 1 ) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Lewis Dunk 1)
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM, LONDON N17.
Following their trip to Bournemouth of the 4 April, the Seagulls were on their travels again, this time to North London to face Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the match being broadcast "live" over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport and Talksport
Last time out, the Albion had won 2-0 at AFC Bournemoiuth on the 4 April and for their visit to Tottenham the Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from that game, with Levi Colwill and Danny Welbeck replacing Adam Webster and Evan Ferguson, the latter two dropping down to the substitutes bench.
After their recent 3-3 draw at Southampton on the 18 March, Tottenham parted company with Head Coach Antonio Conte, who was replaced on an interim basis by Conte's assistant Cristian Stellini, supported by First Team Coach Ryan Mason.
In their previous Premier League outing, Spurs drew 1-1 away at Everton on the 3 April and for Albion's visit Interim Head Coach Stellini named an unchanged starting line-up from that game. Earlier this season Spurs won 1-0 at the Amex on the 8 October 2022, with their goal coming from Harry Kane (22m). Last season in the Premier, Spurs won 2-0 at the Amex on the 16 March 2022, with their goals coming from Cristian Romero (37m) and Harry Kane (57m). In the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the 16 April 2022, the Albion beat Spurs 1-0, with the winning goal coming from Leandro Trossard (90m).
Albion had an early penalty shout waved aside by Referee Stuart Attwell when Clement Lenglet appeared to handle in the area but on 10 minutes the home side took the lead when Heung-Min Son cut in from the left and from 25 yards out sent a superb curling shot past Albion keeper Jason Steele into the top corner of the net. It was the South Korean's 100th Premier League goal. 0-1.
On 17 minutes Kaoru Mitoma took a pass from Alexis Mac Allister in his stride before shooting past Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal. A long VAR check came to the conclusion that Mitoma had handled the ball in the process. A very harsh decision. This set-back did not deter Albion and Mac Allister's shot from distance drew a fine save from Lloris and then Moises Caicedo was unfortunate to see his shot from 25 yards out hit the post. The Seagulls deservedly equalised on 34 minutes when Solly March's corner to the far post was headed home by Lewis Dunk, making his 200th Premier League appearance for the Albion. 1-1.
Spurs had a chance to regain their lead prior to the break but Pedro Porro's effort landed up on the roof of the net.
Half-time 1-1.
First action of the second-half saw keeper Steele save low to his left from Ivan Perisic's fierce shot and then March fed Danny Welbeck who ran on before smashing a shot past Lloris. Albion's elation was short-lived as VAR decided Welbeck's shot had deflected off Mac Allister's arm/hand en route to goal. Another harsh VAR decision.
A flare-up involving both benches ended with Roberto De Zerbi and Cristian Stellini receiving red cards. For Spurs, Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski fired chances wide when well-placed and Joel Veltman headed wide at the other end. Mitoma was then clearly fouled in the Spurs penalty area by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but incredibly Referee Attwell failed to award a penalty-kick nor did VAR intervene.
On 79 minutes Mitoma's misplaced pass set Spurs off on a counter-attack when Hojbjerg found Kane who placed a shot past the helpless Steele. 1-2. Soon after, during an Albion sortie into the Spurs penalty area Dunk's shirt was clearly pulled by Lenglet but Referee Attwell and VAR failed to award Albion the penalty they deserved. Seagulls unbeaten away run of fifteen matches starting in October 2022 had come to an end.
Final-score 1-2.
Albion had 17 shots at goal, with 4 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 15.
Spurs had 9 shots at goal, with 3 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 15.
TO SUM UP - Where do you start! Albion suffered from some extraordinary decisions by Referee Stuart Attwell and VAR Official Michael Salisbury. The Albion, on the balance of play and correct decisions by the Referee and VAR would have won the game. In the end, the loss of the three points could be crucial in Albion's European aspirations. The match should be replayed!
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Joel Veltman (Julio Enciso 85), Lewis Dunk (Capt), Levi Colwill (Adam Webster 69), Pervis Estupinan; Pascal Gross, Moises Caicedo; Solly March, Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck (Evan Ferguson 66).
Subs not used: Robert Sanchez (G/K), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Facundo Buonanotte, Yasin Ayari, Billy Gilmour, Deniz Undav.
Tottenham Hotspur line-up (3-4-2-1):- Hugo Lloris (Capt); Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Clement Lenglet; Pedro Porro, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp (Pape Matar Sarr 88), Ivan Perisic (Japhet Tanganga 90+2); Dejan Kulusevski (Arnaut Danjuma 78), Heung-MIn Son; Harry Kane.
Subs not used: Fraser Forster (G/K), Davinson Sanchez, Richarlison, Brandon Austin, Alfie Devine, Romaine Mundle.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire). Fourth Official: Jeremy Simpson. VAR Official: Michael Salisbury.
Red Cards: Albion: 1 - Roberto De Zerbi. Tottenham Hotspur: 1 - Cristian Stellini.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 1 - Pascal Gross. Tottenham Hotspur: 3 - Cristian Romero, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ivan Perisic.
Possession: Albion - 65%. Tottenham Hotspur - 35%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Albion).
Attendance: 61405.
NEXT GAME:
15 APRIL 2023 - CHELSEA - away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye.
14 April 2023.