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Five Tottenham positives from 3-1 FA Cup win vs Brighton

By Aaron Coe

Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane scores a goal next to Brighton's English defender Adam Webster during the FA Cup third round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 5, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane scores a goal next to Brighton's English defender Adam Webster during the FA Cup third round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 5, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Yves Bissouma of Brighton & Hove Albion is fouled by Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham Hotspur during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 05: Yves Bissouma of Brighton & Hove Albion is fouled by Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham Hotspur during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match versus Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 05, 2022, in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Tottenham takeaway 4: Players showed they can respond to adversity

If there was any negative in the win over Brighton, it was how Spurs came out to start the second half.

It would not have mattered if the team had been more clinical and put away the 4 or 5 they should have in the first half. However, the reality was Spurs only scored twice and less than 20 minutes into the second half, Tottenham’s lead had been sliced to one by a Yves Bissouma goal.

From the kickoff for the second period through that goal, Brighton had been on the front foot and had Spurs stretched. Following the goal, it appeared the game was turning in the Seagull’s favour, but that did not last.

Just three minutes after Brighton halved the lead, Spurs were back up by two goals and cruising to victory. The incredible run by Son, the heads-up play by Kane to clean up the mess and score demonstrated some of the biggest strengths of both players. More importantly, the goal put Spurs back in command, taking any doubt out of the match.

Tottenham was on the ropes for a bit in the second half, but the team recovered and responded as a good team does. This new-found resilience, which was lacking last season, will be critical to a strong finish.

Tottenham takeaway 5: Spurs are a deeper squad than they were

On Saturday, Conte got to take advantage of the FA Cup rules and use five substitutes. Those substitutes help demonstrate the new-found confidence Conte has in his bench and the growing depth of the team.

Despite Japhet Tanganga, Eric Dier, and Oliver Skipp all being out, Spurs could field a strong side and bring in quality substitutes. Granted, the return of Son and Cristian Romero from injury helps, but this is still a deeper team, built more in Conte’s image.

Both Son and Romero showed real positives while shaking off some rust. New additions Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski had moments of promise in the match. We even got to see Joe Rodon get a bit of time.

Spurs will have a busy schedule over the next few months and having a deep team that the coach trusts will prepare the club for the bevy of challenges that lie ahead.

Next. Tottenham player ratings from 3-1 win over Brighton. dark