Tottenham Hotspur fought back from two goals down to share the spoils with Brighton & Hove Albion
Tottenham showed just how different life is under Thomas Frank compared to the Ange Postecoglou days. Last season Spurs folded from 2-0 up at Brighton to lose 3-2, one of many Premier League collapses. This time, though, they went the other way, coming from two goals down to take a deserved point.
Brighton struck first through Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari, but Spurs didn’t panic. Richarlison clawed one back just before the break, showing sharp instincts as Frank’s only available striker. In the second half Spurs pushed hard, with new signing Xavi Simons lively off the bench, before Mohammed Kudus’ dangerous cross forced Jan Paul van Hecke into an own goal for the equaliser.
It wasn’t flawless, defensive lapses and Vicario’s soft hand on Ayari’s strike reminded fans of old habits, but the resilience was chalk and cheese compared to last season’s fragility. Frank’s side didn’t roll over, they fought back, and looked far more solid mentally. Even when Brighton had chances to kill it, Spurs kept pushing, showing belief that simply wasn’t there under Ange in the league.
For a team still finding its feet under a new manager, this was not exactly the kind of performance supporters have been crying out for. However, the grit and determination to fight back at a difficult venue certainly bodes well for the future. Here we take a look at how the Tottenham players performed:
Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings
Guglielmo Vicario (5/10)
The Italian was privy to some quick counter-attacks by Brighton in the early exchanges and will be unhappy with his efforts in keeping out both goals. He was almost caught out from a long-range effort by Lewis Dunk and should be thankful to his teammates for salvaging a point.
Pedro Porro (5/10)
The Spaniard looked to link up with Kudus down the Spurs right flank and put in a peach of a cross that Richarlison failed to convert in the first half. Fatigue appeared to get the better of him as the game wore on and was taken off late for Djed Spence.
Micky van de Ven (6/10)
Not the most assuring of displays from the Dutch powerhouse. He struggled to keep up with Minteh in the first half and failed to put on his marauding runs into the opposition half. He improved in the second half but by then the damage had been done.
Cristian Romero (5/10)
Got stuck in as usual but failed to provide a cutting edge on set pieces. The Argentine also [picked up a needless yellow card late on for an ill timed challenge on Kaoru Mitoma.
Lucas Bergvall (6/10)
The Swede was a bundle of energy and started the game well. He nearly got on the end of a Wilson Odobert cross early on and make several eventful runs into the Brighton box. He executed an excellent dummy for Xavi Simons in the second half and was taken off as his legs started to tire.
Joao Palhinha (5.5/10)
The game passed him by, but his inability to connect with a Mohammed Kudus cross late on led to Tottenham’s equaliser. Luck was certainly on the Iberian’s side, even if his form wasn’t.
Rodrigo Bentancur (5/10)
He linked up well with his midfield teammates but gave out a few needless fouls in promising positions. The Uruguayan made way for Simons after the hour mark as Tottenham sought the equaliser.
Mohammed Kudus (7/10)
He showed glimpses of his ability and was a difficult proposition for the Brighton home all night. Kudus almost won it in stoppage time but saw his corner deflect just wide. He was the visitors’ best player on the night and will be a huge impact maker for the Lilywhites this season.
Richarlison (5/10)
The Brazilian was a bright spark and started the game well. He faded in and out after Brighton took the lead, popping up to pull back one goal before the half-time break. He also failed to connect with Pedro Porro’s incisive pass in the first half. Richalrison also caused tempers to flare when he sent left Ferdi Kadioglu sprawling, much to the home crowd’s ire.
Wilson Odobert (5/10)
A rare start for the Frenchman, who failed to make the most of it. A bright start saw him get behind the Brighton backline a couple of times, but he was unable to pick out a teammate who could make a difference. Odobert also missed a good chance to find the net around the half-hour mark. He was eventually hooked in the second half for Brennan Johnson.
Substitutes
Xavi Simons (5/10)
He added more urgency to Tottenham’s attack and missed a gilt-edged opportunity to score in the 71st minute. The Dutchman has bags of potential but is still getting used to the English game. There will be other days when he will be far more effective.
Archie Gray (NA)
He replaced Lucas Bergvall late on but lacked the Swede’s drive to make a telling difference.
Brennan Johnson (5/10)
He replaced Odobert in the second half but offered little in terms of making a decisive impact.
Djed Spence (NA)
He replaced the tiring Pedro Porro in the 89th minute but had little time to leave an impact.