Tottenham were denied their first league win of 2026 by Brighton.
Tottenham Hotspur remained stuck in the Premier League bottom three, as Roberto De Zerbi’s first home game ended in a 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Pedro Porro’s header from a Xavi Simons delivery was cancelled out by substitute Kaoru Mitoma, who blasted a left-footed effort past Antonin Kinsky. Simons thought he had won the game for Spurs with a wonder strike from outside the box, before a late dagger from Georginio Rutter earned Brighton a valuable point on the road. That also kept the Lilywhites searching for their first league victory of 2026, extending their 15-game winless run.
Roberto De Zerbi was in an upbeat mood despite his team conceding a stoppage-time equaliser and dropping points once again in the relegation battle. The Italian was happy with his team’s display vs. Brighton, insisting that an improved performance has convinced him that Tottenham can win the remaining five games and beat the drop. He also singled out Simons for praise, with the Dutch playmaker producing a Man of the Match showing.
Andy Reid gives verdict on Tottenham’s 2-2 draw vs. Brighton
After the game, former Spurs midfielder Andy Reid pointed out the fight and passion shown by the Tottenham players against Brighton, unlike the underwhelming performances all season. The 43-year-old heaped praise on Dominic Solanke for his ability to hold the ball up well and get the hosts up the pitch.
“What I saw from the performance – but not necessarily in possession – was an appetite to work hard, win duels, second balls and that gave them a foothold in the game,” Andy Reid said on BBC Radio 5 Live (h/t BBC Sport).
“Dominic Solanke was brilliant for them all evening, he held the ball and let them get up the park. We saw some fight in them, which is what these fans have been questioning.
“A pulsating game of football, it really was. We’re breathless at the end.”
That performance vs. Brighton will give hope to the fans
Indeed, there was a marked improvement in Spurs’ performance levels last weekend. The attitude of our players was spot on as they showed intent and hunger to win the game from the first blow of the whistle. A team that has been without inspiration for months demonstrated work ethic, energy, passion, and spirit from the onset.
Eventually, Rutter’s strike in the closing stages of the game broke the fans’ hearts. Yet, there were several positives from the game that De Zerbi will want our players to build on when the Lilywhites travel to Molineux to face the relegated Wolves side this weekend.