Brighton & Hove Albion hand Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 defeat

Posted : 29 December 2023

Tottenham Hotspur's quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League hit a stumbling block as they suffered a 4-2 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, marking their heaviest loss since Ange Postecoglou took charge.

Notwithstanding the potential to overtake Manchester City in fourth place, Spurs found themselves outplayed by an injury-hit Brighton side missing key players. The first half saw the hosts establish a 2-0 lead with a powerful strike from Josh Hinshelwood and Joao Pedro's penalty, highlighting Tottenham's struggle to cope with Brighton's intensity.

In the second half, Tottenham attempted a comeback, with Richarlison having a disallowed goal, but Brighton extended their lead as Pervis Estupinan unleashed a thunderous shot and Joao Pedro converted another penalty. The introduction of late substitute Alejo Veliz injected life into Spurs as he netted from close range in the 75th minute, and Ben Davies added a header, raising hopes of a miraculous turnaround.

Brighton 4-2 Tottenham: Joao Pedro scores two penalties in win for Seagulls - BBC Sport

Despite midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hitting the post in stoppage time, Brighton held on to secure the victory, climbing to eighth place with 30 points, while Tottenham remained in fifth place with 36 points, just one point off the top four.

The scoreline did not fully capture the chaotic nature of the match, where Tottenham struggled for long periods but showed resilience to salvage some pride in the latter stages. Brighton, missing key players like Kaoru Mitoma, Tariq Lamptey, Solly March, and Julio Enciso, ended a three-match winless streak with the notable triumph.

Tottenham player ratings vs Brighton as Alejo Veliz scores but makeshift Spurs struggle - football.london

Tottenham's defensive vulnerabilities, exacerbated by injuries, were evident as Brighton dominated the first half, and the visitors had to rely on spirit and determination to avoid a more significant defeat.

Brighton's early lead was established when Hinshelwood capitalized on a Joao Pedro assist, delivering an unstoppable shot. The hosts almost doubled their advantage with a penalty after Dejan Kulusevski fouled Danny Welbeck, allowing Joao Pedro to convert.

Despite Richarlison's near response hitting the post before halftime, Tottenham struggled to find their rhythm. The second half saw Brighton extend their lead through Estupinan's sensational strike and another penalty from Joao Pedro, ultimately shaping the outcome of a thrilling encounter.

Brighton & Hove Albion hand Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 defeat

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