From the Amex Stadium – Harry Kane’s first-half header proved sufficient for Tottenham to bounce again from current disappointments within the Premier League and Europe to beat Brighton 1-0 on the AMEX on Saturday evening.
England captain Kane contorted his physique to attach with strike companion Son Heung-min’s cross earlier than a stout defensive efficiency affected by some poor Albion ending noticed Antonio Conte’s aspect over the road.
Tottenham stay in third however have now stretched their lead over fourth-placed Brighton to 4 factors, although the Seagulls have performed a recreation fewer at this early stage.
The 2 sides paid tribute to former Spurs health coach Gian Piero Ventrone, who handed away earlier this week, with a second’s applause earlier than kick off.
Tottenham switched to a 3-5-2 formation with Yves Bissouma beginning towards his previous aspect and Matt Doherty changing the suspended Emerson Royal at proper wing again, whereas Brighton had been unchanged from their 3-3 draw at Liverpool.
The guests began brightly, with a Son free kick testing Robert Sanchez earlier than Matt Doherty almost acquired in behind Brighton’s backline, simply failing to type his toes out in time.
The swap to 3-5-2 labored in Spurs’ favour early on, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg driving ahead earlier than Doherty despatched a half-volley simply over from Ryan Sessegnon’s cross.
Brighton nonetheless threatened, with Danny Welbeck stretching Tottenham’s again three earlier than taking pictures huge of Hugo Lloris’ far put up.
Nonetheless, the guests acquired simply rewards for his or her dominance as Kane – booked moments earlier for a sly handball – acquired on the scoresheet. Brighton didn’t clear their traces from a nook and Son crossed for Kane, who did exceptionally effectively to divert his header past Sanchez.
The Seagulls responded with their very own interval of stress, with Moises Caicedo drawing a cease from Lloris with a strike from distance. Lewis Dunk rose highest to satisfy a Pascal Gross nook, however his effort simply nestled on the highest of the web, whereas some pretty build-up play noticed Solly March performed into house on the sting of the realm, however the winger’s shot simply scraped previous the put up.
The ascendancy had turned to Brighton within the build-up to half time and the opening of the second half as they continued to press their guests, although it was Kane with the subsequent huge sight of aim as he turned Adam Webster and screwed simply huge of the far put up.
Nonetheless, regardless of the incessant dwelling stress the ultimate ball simply by no means got here for Roberto De Zerbi’s aspect, who failed to point out the leading edge they so splendidly displayed towards Liverpool final week, as Spurs left the south coast with a slender however vital victory.
GK: Robert Sanchez – 6/10 – Saved comfortably from Son’s free kick however little probability for Kane’s header.
CB: Joel Veltman – 7/10 – One slip almost allowed Tottenham in on aim however he recovered adequately. Booked for sliding in on Son and complaining.
CB: Lewis Dunk – 6/10 – Went charging out from the field like a headless rooster and was out of place when Kane headed in. Learn the sport effectively oherwise to make a handful of interceptions.
CB: Adam Webster – 6/10 – Pushed excessive up the pitch in possession and confirmed good restoration tempo when Tottenham tried to go lengthy.
RWB: Solly March – 7/10 – Incessantly acquired the higher of Sessegnon and infrequently discovered himself in house on the best. Dragged a shot simply huge from the sting of the field.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 6/10 – Wasn’t allowed to settle by Tottenham’s midfield three. Dictated extra within the second half, however his creativity and risk was not current because it has been not too long ago.
CM: Moises Caicedo – 5/10 – Shot from distance introduced a stretching save from Lloris. Lacked composure in just a few promising situations.
LWB: Pervis Estupinan – 5/10 – Was a hazard arriving on the again stick every now and then. Did not give Doherty as a lot grief as he might need hoped.
RF: Pascal Gross – 5/10 – His early season kind has simply waned barely. Could not decide the lock Spurs put in entrance of him.
LF: Leandro Trossard – 5/10 – Wrongfooted by Son in defence earlier than Kane’s header. Dispossessed slightly too simply – 3 times in complete – through the first half and provided little risk.
ST: Danny Welbeck – 6/10 – Dragged one respectable probability huge after getting in behind. Fired one other effort huge later however his affect waned as Dier acquired to grips with him.
SUB: Kaoru Mitoma (66′ for Estupinan) – 7/10 – Added some drive from out huge and appeared threatening.
SUB: Adam Lallana (81′ for Gross) – N/A
SUB: Billy Gilmour (88′ for Caicedo) – N/A
Supervisor: Robert De Zerbi – 6/10 – Made no modifications from the aspect that drew at Liverpool. Annoyed by the shortage of leading edge however his modifications maybe got here slightly too late.
GK: Hugo Lloris – 7/10 – Saved on his toes by Caicedo and Welbeck within the first half.
CB: Cristian Romero – 7/10 – Seemed to snap into challenges and harass Brighton’s attackers. At all times confrontational.
CB: Eric Dier – 8/10 – Lack of tempo was uncovered by Welbeck every now and then however confirmed his calm to step up and make just a few vital tackles. Received tighter to Welbeck within the second half and stopped the striker from getting concerned in build-up play.
CB: Ben Davies – 6/10 – Drifted ahead effectively into the left channel when Spurs switched play.
RWB: Matt Doherty – 7/10 – In for the suspended Emerson Royal. Threatening within the opening 15, getting in behind and taking pictures simply huge. Actually understands the position much more than any of his proper wing again opponents and appeared greater than able to return.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 7/10 – Examined Sanchez with an honest hit from distance. Performed greater up on the best and had some good moments of interaction with Doherty.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 7/10 – Seemed to drive ahead early on. Intelligent ball to Son earlier than Kane’s header. A number of low cost giveaways however a primarily competent exhibiting.
CM: Yves Bissouma – 6/10 – Made his second Premier League begin returning to his previous membership. Awkward problem on Mac Allister acquired him booked.
LWB: Ryan Sessegnon – 5/10 – Received annoyed and fortunate to not get booked with two fouls simply earlier than half time.
ST: Son Heung-min – 7/10 – Introduced the primary save out of Sanchez with a free kick. Crossed effectively for Kane to open the scoring. Butchered an excellent counter-attacking opening within the second half. Nonetheless not wanting completely fluid however made an important contribution.
ST: Harry Kane – 7/10 – Booked for handball when making an attempt to run by means of on aim. Gave Spurs the lead by cleverly heading in Son’s whipped cross. Could not make the ball stick as Spurs confronted assault after assault.
SUB: Richarlison (70′ for Bissouma) – 6/10 – Helped Spurs run the clock down together with his array of tips and flicks.
SUB: Ian Perisic (80′ for Son) – N/A
SUB: Oliver Skipp (89′ for Kane) – N/A
Supervisor: Antonio Conte – 7/10 – Switched to a 3-5-2 to accommodate Bissouma and Spurs appeared rather more comfy. A horrible week for Conte with the passing of Ventrone however this trademark backs-to-the-wall efficiency would have inspired him.