Brighton beat Tottenham 4-2 in a stunning game at the Amex Stadium as there were chances galore for both teams.
Jack Hinshelwood gave Brighton the lead and Joao Pedro scored a penalty to make it 2-0 before the break. Pervis Estupinan then smashed home to make it 3-0 and Pedro added another penalty kick to make it 4-0 as Brighton looked out of sight.
Richarlison had two goals disallowed and hit the post but Spurs finally got on the board twice in the final 10 minutes as Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies both scored, then Spurs hit the post through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and had so many chances late on to snatch an unlikely 4-4 draw.
With the win Brighton move on to 30 points, while Tottenham remain on 36 points.
Spurs have themselves to blame for wild defeat
We praise Ange-ball when it works and hammer it when it doesn’t but sometimes we don’t need it. A game away at Brighton is one of those occasions and it is why there are still question marks around Ange Postecoglou, whether or not Tottenham have a full-strength team out. With Brighton pressing high and going man for man, why would you play right into their hands? Tottenham did exactly what Brighton wanted them to do. Via Opta, “since the start of November Tottenham have the highest expected goals against total of any team in the division (21.4), while no team have conceded more than their 19 goals.” That is down to losing key players to injury but also because their playing style has remained the same without the key players to play that way. Ange is all about sticking to his philosophy and that is admirable and the right way to go. But not every time. Manchester City and Liverpool stick to their principles but there is flexibility within it to play differently when the situation calls for it. That is what Postecoglou and Tottenham have to start doing if they want to achieve their dream of finishing in the top four this season. The annoying thing for Spurs was that they created chances whenever they caught Brighton on the counter but they missed so many of them and were punished for sloppy defending from makeshift center backs. To play this way with this available squad of players means Tottenham are causing more problems for themselves than their opponents are. That just can’t continue.
Brighton vs Tottenham player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see Brighton’s Joao Pedro had a brilliant outing as he tormented Tottenham’s defense. Pedro Porro, Hojbjerg and Vicario all stood out for Spurs.
What’s next?
Brighton head to West Ham on Tuesday, Jan. 2, while Tottenham host Bournemouth on Sunday, Dec. 31.
How to watch Brighton vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET, Thursday (December 28)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream online via NBCSports.com
Brighton vs Tottenham live updates! – By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Brighton 4-2 Tottenham
The Seagulls hold on for a big win after that scary final 15 minutes when Tottenham had chance after chance. What a game. These two teams are so fun to watch and my word they put on a show.
Hojbjerg hits the post
So close from Hojbjerg as he hits the post. Then Porro’s rebound is blocked and goes out for a corner.
Ben Davies heads home – Brighton 4-2 Tottenham (86th minute)
Okay, here we go. Spurs grab another as Davies heads home a cross at the back post. There will be plenty of stoppage time so we could have another 15 minutes or so here.
Davies gives Tottenham lifeline against Brighton
Time is running out for Spurs, but Ben Davies reduces the deficit to 4-2 in favor of Brighton late in the second half at the Amex.
Veliz gets a consolation – Brighton 4-1 Tottenham (81st minute)
Young Argentine striker Alejo Veliz scuffs home his first Premier League goal for Spurs and it all came after Lewis Dunk gave the ball away at Kulusevski. The comeback is on…
Veliz pulls one back for Tottenham v. Brighton
Alejo Veliz erases Brighton’s bid for their first clean sheet of the season as he gets Tottenham on the board late in the second half at the Amex.
Another penalty to Brighton, another Pedro goal – Brighton 4-0 Tottenham (76th minute)
Lo Celso makes a silly challenge on Even Ferguson and the penalty is given.
Pedro’s second penalty makes it 4-0 for Brighton
Joao Pedro’s second penalty of the night finds the back of the net to give Brighton a commanding 4-0 lead over Tottenham in the second half at the Amex.
Estupinan smashes home – Brighton 3-0 Tottenham (63rd minute)
Pervis Estupinan smashes home a stunner from 25 yards out into the top corner. What a way for the Ecuadorian left back to mark his return from injury. The half time sub with a beauty.
Estupinan scores a worldie against Tottenham
Pervis Estupinan couldn’t have struck the ball any better as his long-distance effort soars into the top corner to make it 3-0 for Brighton against Tottenham at the Amex.
Richarlison scores… but he’s offside
The one chance Richarlison buries, he is offside. VAR checks it. He’s just off. Tottenham creating plenty of chances in the second half but they have to take one soon.
Brighton somehow clear
A driving run into the box from Destiny Udogie sees Brighton somehow smother the ball as Steele saves and the Seagulls clear the danger. Tottenham pushing hard to get back in this.
Richarlison should score
Son wins the ball back after a poor pass from Gilmour and Richarlison should score. He’s clean through but puts his shot wide. Spurs just haven’t made the most of their chances.
Half time: Brighton 2-0 Tottenham
A first half full of drama as Brighton are deservedly ahead and Vicario is the main reason Tottenham still have a chance to salvage something from this game. Spurs did have plenty of chances of their own and if they improve in the second half (they can’t get much worse) then there’s a way back in this as Brighton certainly won’t sit back and and just try to hold on to this lead.
Richarlison hits the post
A counter sees Johnson free on the right and he finds Richarlison. His low shot hits the post as Tottenham almost grab one before the break. This game has been so end-to-end.
Great save by Vicario to deny Pedro
Pedro Porro with a poor pass towards his own goal which Joao Pedro latches on to and dinks over Vicario but the Spurs goalkeeper gets his fingertips on it and it goes wide. Huge stop right on half time.
James Milner curls against the post, then Johnson wastes a chance
James Milner continues to roll back the years as he’s marauding forward from the left and curls a shot against the post. At the other end a long ball over the top finds Brennan Johnson but his shot is blocked as he can’t sort his feet out.
Joao Pedro slots home penalty after Kulusevski’s silly pull – Brighton 2-0 Tottenham (24th minute)
The Seagulls are soaring and they have their second goal thanks to Joao Pedro’s penalty kick but they mostly have Dejan Kulusevski to thank. The Spurs winger pulled the shirt of Welbeck as he wound up a shot in the box and after VAR asked the referee to check the monitor, it was clearly a foul. Kulusevski could have made a block or challenge on Welbeck to put him off. Lazy from the Tottenham winger.
Pedro’s penalty makes it 2-0 for Brighton v. Spurs
Danny Welbeck is pulled down in the box and a penalty is given following a VAR review. Joao Pedro steps up to the spot and converts the penalty to give Brighton a 2-0 lead over Tottenham in the first half at the Amex.
Vicar Denies Peter
Some lovely footwork from the Brazilian as he cuts inside and his low shot is pushed out by Vicario and Spurs clear. Brighton sustaining this fine start.
What a hit by Hinshelwood – Brighton 1-0 Tottenham (11th minute)
Jack Hinshelwood, just 18 years of age, with a wonderful strike. Joao Pedro dances in off the left and finds Hinshelwood who drills home. Brighton’s fine start is rewarded.
Hinshelwood’s belter gives Brighton lead v. Spurs
Jack Hinshelwood lines up his shot and unleashes a vicious strike into the back of the net to give Brighton an early 1-0 lead over Tottenham at the Amex.
Two great stops from Vicario early on
Vicario makes a good first save to deny Danny Welbeck and Brighton kept the attacking going. Then Welbeck was denied by Vicario again and the second stop is magnificent with the Spurs goalkeeper at full stretch to his left. Joao Pedro found Buonanotte and his blocked shot fell to Welbeck kindly and he should have scored. Still, great stop by Vicario. Bright start from Brighton.
Brighton lineup
Steele; Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Gilmour, Milner; Buonanotte, Gross, Welbeck; Pedro
Tottenham lineup
Vicar; Porro, Royal, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Hojberg; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Richardson
Focus on Brighton, team news
OUT: Ansu Fati (thigh), Julio Enciso (knee), Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Solly March (knee), Pervis Estupinan (thigh), Adam Webster (knock), Joel Veltman (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Kaoru Mitoma (ankle)
Focus on Tottenham, team news
OUT: Yves Bissouma (suspension), James Maddison (ankle – out until new year), Micky van de Ven (hamstring – out until new year), Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Eric Dier (groin), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), Alfie Whiteman (ankle)| QUESTIONABLE: Cristian Romero (thigh), Richarlison (lower back)
