Tottenham Hotspur 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM, LONDON N17.
Next for the Albion was a trip to North London to face Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the game being broadcast "live" over the airwaves on Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous outing, the Seagulls had enjoyed a 4-1 home win over Crystal Palace on the 3 February and for their visit to Spurs the Albion made five changes to their starting line-up from the Palace game, with Jason Steele, Pervis Estupinan, Adam Lallana, the fit-again Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck coming in for Bart Verbruggen, Igor Julio, Jack Hinshelwood (injured), Joao Pedro (injured) and Evan Gerguson.
With Roberto De Zerbi serving a one-match touchline ban, his Assistant Andrea Meldera was in charge of the team for this one.
Last time out Spurs had drawn 2-2 at Everton on the 3 February and for Albion's visit Head Coach Ange Postecoglou made two changes to his starting line-up from the Everton game, with Pape Matar Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski replacing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Brennan Johnson, the latter two dropping down to the substitutes bench, This season, in the reverse fixture, the Albion produced an excellent performance inn the 4-2 win over Spurs at the Amex on the 28 December 2023, with their goals coming from Joao Pedro 2, penalties Jack Hinshelwood and a worldy from Pervis Estupinan ( . Spurs scored two late goals through Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies.
Last season, Tottenham did the double over the Albion in the Premier, winning 1-0 at the Amex on the 8 October 2022, with the winning goal being scored by Harry Kane ) and 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the 8 April 2023, with their goals coming from Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane . Albion's goal came from Lewus Dunk .
The Seagulls went close totaking the lead in the very first minute when Tariq Lamptey's through pass found the on-running Danny Welbeck whose fierce goal-bound shot saw Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario produce an excellent save in tipping the ball away for a corner. Early on Albion looked the team most likely and they took lead on 17 minutes when Spurs defender Micky van de Ven felled Welbeck in the box and Referee Samuel Barrott pointed to the spot. In the absence of Joao Pedro, up-stepped Pascal Gross, who coolly slammed home the resultant penalty-kick. 1-0.
Next, it was the turn of Albion keeper Jason Steele to shine when making a fine save to keep out Richarlson's shot and then James Maddison's curled shot just missed the target. Welbeck sent the returning Kaoru Mitoma clear on the left but the goal keeper made another superb save to deflect the winger's goal-bound strike. A very good first-half for the Seagulls, who deservedly lead at the break.
Half-time 1-0.
First chance of the second-half fell to Spurs when Timo Werner's run from the left ended with a shot wide of the goal but just on the hour mark the home side were level as Lewis Dunk's attempted clearance struck the post and rebounded to Pape Matar Sarr who fired the ball into the empty net for a fortunate Spurs equaliser. 1-1.
With 15 minutes to go Albion substitute Ansu Fati came within a whisker of restoring the Seagulls lead but his low shot hit the outside of the post and bounced away and Facundo Buonanotte saw his shot blocked by Sarr. The Seagulls were looking the team most likely to win but in the sixth minute of time added on a Spurs counter involving Richarlson and substitute Heung-Min Son down the left ended with fellow substitute Brennan Johnson sweeping the ball home at the far post. 1-2. Heartbreak for the Albion as they at least deserved a share of the spoils for their efforts.
Final-score 1-2.
Albion had 6 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 13.
Spurs had 16 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 9 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
TO SUM UP -
Despite the absence of Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls produced a good performance at Tottenham and deserved at least a draw for their efforts. Danny Welbeck had a fine game up front and goalkeeper Jason Steele made some good saves.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Tariq Lamptey (Carlos Baleba 90+1), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Pervis Estupinan; Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour (Benicio Baker-Boaltey 90+1); Facundo Buonanotte (Joel Veltman 83), Adam Lallana (Ansu Fati 57), Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck (Evan Ferguson 83).
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G/K), Adam Webster, Jakub Moder, Mark O'Mahony.
Tottenham Hotspur line-up (4-2-3-1):- Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie (Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 80); Pape Matar Sarr (Ben Davies 80), Rodrigo Bentancur (Heung-Min Son 62); Dejan Kulusevski (Yves Bissouma 63), James Maddison, Timo Werner (Brennan Johnson 62); Richarlson.
Subs not used: Fraser Forster (G/K), Oliver Skipp, Radu Dragusin, Emerson Royal.
Referee: Samuel Barrott (Yorkshire).
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 3 - Lewis Dunk, Pervis Estupinan, Facundo Buonanotte.
Spurs: 2 - Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison.
Possession: Albion - 47%. Spurs - 53%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Heung-Min Son (Spurs).
Attendance: 61445 (including 3022 Albion fans).
NEXT GAME:
18 FEBRUARY 2024 - SHEFFIELD UNITED - away - Premier League - kick-off 14.00.
"Live" on Sky Sport.
Jack Kaye.
14 February 2024.