Tottenham missed out on a glorious chance to maintain their advantage in the top four, losing in heartbreaking fashion 1-0 at home to Brighton.
It was the first time Brighton has won in Tottenham in 40 years. Spurs never got going and were tragically disappointing, again coughing up an ideal opportunity to remain in pole position for the top four.
Spurs didn’t muster a shot on target in the tepid performance. There was no press and Spurs played more like a tentative away side.
Here’s the player ratings from a dismal outing in north London.
Defence
Hugo Lloris 7/10
Hugo was a bit casual in possession once in the first half but had a quiet outing otherwise. He had no chance on Leandro Trossard’s winner.
Ben Davies 4/10
The Welshman endured a few moments that made supporters’ hearts palpitate. He tried to beat a man out of the back in the 59th minute and was dispossessed, leading to a golden Brighton opportunity which was well covered by Emerson Royal. Davies made a key block off Enock Mwepu sizzling half volley that was goal bound.
Eric Dier 5/10
Eric Dier had the ball at his feet a lot, but was unable to find an incisive pass, too often opting for a lateral option. He wasn’t provided with many options either. Though he was already on the back foot, Dier was passed too easily by Leandro Trossard on the late winner.
Cristian Romero 4/10
Cristian Romero made a few key defensive challenges but got twisted and turned around on Brighton’s winner. There was a bit of bad luck in the move and he didn’t receive much support. Nonetheless, it was a devastating moment for the Argentine.
None of Spurs’ defenders were able to pick out a telling pass, but the midfield didn’t offer too much assistant on that front
Midfield
Sergio Reguilon 3/10
Sergio had a subpar afternoon. Nothing really to report regarding his rather uninspiring outing. He didn’t offer anything going forward to try and instil some sort of cohesion in Spurs’ attack. Nowhere near good enough.
Rodrigo Bentancur 4/10
Like his central midfield partner, Rodrigo Bentancur wasn’t able to dictate the tempo. He coughed up possession a couple of times but was largely disappoining. Bentancur has been brilliant since his arrival, but struggled against a well-drilled, disciplined Brighton team. Both midfielders needed to press more in order to help out the front three.
Pierre Hojbjerg 4/10
Never really took control of the midfield and conceded possession too easily. He created one of Tottenham’s few openings via a tidy pirouette, but his cutback breezed agonizingly past the on-rushing Reguilon. He committed too many turnovers and wasn’t nearly positive enough when the chance arose.
Emerson Royal 3/10
Emerson Royal doesn’t offer nearly enough going forward, always opting for the easy option. He committed unnecessary fouls in the opposing half, letting Brighton off the hook too easily. He plays the ball laterally or back far too often and never poses an offensive threat. Today’s outing outlined how badly Spurs are going to miss Matthew Doherty. He always seems to be surprised, on the back foot. Royal wasn’t nearly proactive enough on Trossard’s goal. If he was, he might have been able to anticipate the lethal move.
Forwards and Subs
Harry Kane 4/10
Harry Kane was a shadow of himself today. He rolled his ankle in the first half, had a tame effort early and was otherwise completely muted by Brighton’s defence.
Son Heung-min 5/10
Sonny had a few half openings, but was unable to dominate proceedings like he’s done in recent weeks.
Dejan Kulusevski 3/10
Kulu had his most quiet and ineffective outings since joining Spurs. He lashed out with a flailing arm and received a yellow card in the first half, evidence of his mounting frustration.
Lucas Moura 5/10
At least Lucas drove forward and tried to penetrate the Brighton backline. His touch wasn’t quite on and he made too many wayward passes, but
Harry Winks 4/10
He was neither here nor there. Didn’t do nearly enough to prove he deserves more minutes.
Steven Bergwijn N/A
Had one glowing chance but scuffed the volley attempt. He was introduced too late to make a substantial impact.