Xavi Simons produced a top display at home against Brighton.
Tottenham Hotspur were denied a first league win of 2026 when they conceded a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. They were crushed in the fourth minute of added time when Georginio Rutter fired home to secure the Seagulls a point in North London.
Before Rutter’s equaliser, the game was going only one way. Xavi Simons was instrumental against Brighton. He created Pedro Porro’s opener in the first half, struck the post, and then fired Tottenham back in front with a spectacular 77th-minute curling strike after Kaoru Mitoma had equalised. The creative midfielder curled home what he thought was the match-winner, sparking wild scenes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, taking his shirt off and jumping into the crowd.
While the Lilywhites failed to hold onto all three points, Xavi Simons demonstrated why he could be key to their survival hopes.
Xavi Simons opens up on flourishing under Roberto De Zerbi
Simons’ display vs. Brighton was one of the best in a Tottenham shirt in what has been a tough debut season in Premier League football. The Tottenham No.7 was impressive from the first minute until the end of the game, registering a goal and an assist apiece. Apart from his goal contributions, the Dutchman worked extremely hard off the ball.
Speaking after the game, Simons opened up on adapting to De Zerbi’s style of play and how much he relishes a possession-based approach.
“Of course, new coach coming in new idea of playing football as a coach that really wants the ball especially for me is something I really like and I think I can put my best game on it and improving day by day with the ball is the most important and today we tried and obviously having that late goal in the last minute yeah it hurts,” Simons told the club’s official channel.
After leaving him on the bench and giving him less than 15 minutes in the defeat at Sunderland, De Zerbi opted to bring Simons back into the first XI immediately, clearly understanding just how big a player he is and can be in the remaining weeks of the campaign. Despite suffering cramps in the final stages of the game, the 23-year-old stayed on the pitch and tried to help the team.
It was a highly encouraging performance from a player who has prompted plenty of frustration from Spurs fans this season. The Netherlands international is clearly keen to try and keep a level of positivity at White Hart Lane heading into the final few weeks of the season. It looks like Simons has nailed down his spot in De Zerbi’s first XI with his Brighton showing.