'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tottenham Hotspur moved into second place in the Premier League table tonight with a tough win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham were looking to rebound from a disappointing Europa League defeat to Royal Antwerp and started the match in imperious form. It took a penalty from Harry Kane to put them into the lead, but early on, at least, it felt like business as usual for Jose Mourinho's men.
However, Graham Potter’s Seagulls began to dominate play late into the first half and eventually found an equalizer – albeit a controversial one – from Tariq Lamptey.
Tottenham hit back, though, and with just over 15 minutes remaining, Gareth Bale headed home to win the match for his side. Brighton threw men forward to look for another equalizer. But this time there was no sting in the tail, and Mourinho’s men collected another three points.
Here are 5 talking points from Tottenham’s win over Brighton.
#1 Tottenham’s winner was made in Madrid
Much has been made about Tottenham’s apparently successful transfer window this season, and tonight’s winner affirmed that positive feeling. With Spurs desperate to make the breakthrough following Brighton’s controversial equalizer, boss Jose Mourinho decided to introduce Gareth Bale to the fray. It didn’t take long for the Welshman to make an impact.
After Tottenham cut out a Brighton attack, a beautiful cross-field pass from Toby Alderweireld found Sergio Reguilon in acres of space. And from there, the Spaniard cut the ball back onto his weaker right foot – sending a picture-perfect cross onto the head of Bale, who headed home past Seagulls keeper Robert Sanchez.
It was Bale’s first goal since returning to Tottenham from Real Madrid, with his last one coming against Sunderland in May 2013. And in the bigger picture of the current season – with Spurs now moving into second place – it could be one of his most important in a long time.
The fact that it was Reguilon – Bale’s former teammate at the Bernabeu – who provided the cross only made things even sweeter. This was a Tottenham goal firmly made in Madrid, and was a worthy winner of this game.
#2 What was referee Graham Scott thinking when he awarded Brighton’s goal?
Despite Tottenham running out 2-1 winners in tonight’s game, plenty of press coverage will no doubt be handed to Brighton’s equalizing goal. There can be no doubt about the finish's quality – former Chelsea youngster Tariq Lamptey got onto the end of Pascal Gross’s pass perfectly and slotted home with aplomb.
However, it appeared clear to everyone on the pitch that during the build-up to the goal, Solly March had fouled Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. There seemed to be no doubt that the goal would be overturned by VAR, particularly when replays from multiple angles appeared to confirm the infringement.
However, in a baffling call, referee Graham Scott consulted the pitchside monitors – and decided to allow the goal to stand. To say that Tottenham’s players were shell-shocked would be a massive understatement.
Quite how Scott could decide that Hojbjerg had not been fouled is anyone’s guess. The most likely theory is that because he was so close to the incident in real-time and hadn’t given a foul, he simply didn’t feel comfortable in admitting a clear mistake. But surely that’s the reason for VAR in the first place?
Although the goal thankfully didn’t affect this game's eventual result, it’ll still be looked upon as one of the most controversial of 2020. On this evidence, VAR still isn’t working correctly.
#3 Are Tottenham playing a risky game by sitting back after scoring?
Despite its controversial nature, when Tariq Lamptey’s goal went in for Brighton tonight, Tottenham fans would’ve been forgiven for having feelings of déjà vu. After seeing their side allow leads to slip against Newcastle United and West Ham United earlier in the current season, it appeared that history was about to repeat itself.
Jose Mourinho’s side did find a winner in tonight’s game, but while they were deserving victors, it’s worth noting that they played a dangerous game. From the opening whistle, Tottenham seemed irresistible in attack and opened Brighton up on a handful of occasions. But once Harry Kane’s penalty went in, they suddenly switched their gameplan.
Mourinho’s men seemed happy to sit back and defend their lead, allowing Brighton to come to them and dominate the ball. The fact that Graham Potter’s side actually came away with 56% of the possession only tells part of the story. The Seagulls largely dominated Spurs for great swathes of this game, albeit without creating too many chances.
It makes sense that Tottenham would want to look for counter-attacks – it’s a hallmark of Mourinho’s teams over the years. It’s how they smashed Southampton 2-5 earlier in the season, but it’s also highly dangerous to sit back on a lead against any Premier League side. After being burned twice previously – and nearly being burned again here – it’s a lesson Tottenham need to learn in order to be true title challengers.
#4 Did Harry Kane go down too easily for Tottenham’s penalty?
It took Tottenham just 13 minutes to find themselves ahead in tonight’s game. And while Brighton’s eventual equalizer was definitely controversial, there can be no doubt that some fans probably felt the same about Harry Kane’s opener.
The goal came from the penalty spot after Adam Lallana’s odd challenge on Kane was determined to have taken place in the box. However, Sky Sports commentator Efan Ekoku no doubt echoed the feelings of plenty of fans when he questioned whether the England captain had gone down a little too easily.
Replays confirmed that while Lallana’s challenge was undoubtedly clumsy – his knee slammed high into Kane’s back – the Spurs striker had taken a glance back prior to it. It did appear that Kane was ensuring an opponent was in close proximity before moving towards him. So did the England man go down easily?
Well, yes. However, rather than accusing him of anything sinister, the truth is that this was simply smart play from Kane. Had Lallana not slammed his way into him, then no spot-kick would’ve been given. Kane simply banked on a clumsy challenge, and Lallana took the bait. This was great center-forward play, plain and simple.
#5 So are Mourinho’s men title challengers?
Following their win over Burnley on Monday, plenty of observers were talking up Tottenham as potential title challengers. That talk was tempered when Mourinho’s men slumped to a disappointing defeat against Royal Antwerp on Thursday. But after tonight, it may well start up again.
Tottenham weren’t great tonight. In fact, not only did Brighton come away with more possession, but the Seagulls also had nearly as many chances on goal as their opponents and largely restricted them. But in the end, Tottenham’s class shone through and two of their new signings combined for the winning goal.
Tottenham fans will have undoubtedly been most impressed this season with their side’s big wins over Southampton and Manchester United. However, the truth is that grinding wins like Monday’s against Burnley and this one are the results that win league titles.
If Tottenham can continue to pick up points in tough games like this – and can turn it on when they face the league’s bigger challenges – then there can be no doubt that they can challenge for the title. In fact, had VAR not awarded Newcastle a ludicrous penalty back in September, Mourinho’s men would sit at the top of the table right now.
Theoretically, Tottenham should pick up another three points next Sunday against West Brom. After November’s international break, the acid test will come when Mourinho’s men face Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal in close proximity. Gain points from those games, and eyes may well begin to open.
