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Tottenham 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 | Talking Points

Despite their best efforts, the Seagulls were unable to keep Tottenham out with Christian Eriksen’s late strike sealing a precious three points that should see Spurs in the Champions League once again next season.

From the start, Brighton looked as though they would try to keep Tottenham out in the same way they did Wolves at Molineux. However, they would find that the task would be a little more challenging against Pochettino’s well-drilled squad. The Seagulls would be limited to their half for much of the game, and the likes of Eriksen and Dele Alli would prove quite the handful for Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy in the early stages of the match.

Nevertheless, Brighton’s defensive duo would do well against Tottenham’s attacking trio of Moura, Eriksen, and Llorente. Both Duffy and Dunk would clear the host’s dangerous crosses throughout the match with Dunk making an important clearance in the first half to deny Dele Alli a goal.

Tottenham matched Brighton’s determination by continuing to push forward, but fortunately for the Seagull’s, Spurs’ efforts lacked a finishing touch. In the second half, Danny Rose would come close to breaking the deadlock with an absolutely wicked effort that Mat Ryan instinctively punched away. The shot nearly dipped under the bar, but the Australian shot-stopper was equal to it.

Pochettino would urge his team to continue their onslaught and the urgency from the hosts was definitely palpable in the closing minutes of the match. Toby Alderweireld struck the post and his effort rolled across the face of the goal, making the home fans wonder if it would be “one of those nights.” Yet Christian Eriksen, Spur’s Danish maestro, broke Brighton’s hearts and sparked an absolute frenzy in Tottenham’s new stadium. The low effort burst through traffic before speeding past Mat Ryan who likely wouldn’t have stopped the effort even if had seen it coming.

Hughton might lament at the fact that his team lost the match so close to the end, but Spurs deserved the three points after their persistent efforts. The hosts were the only team on the pitch playing football. The visitors could only sit back and hope their luck ran the entire 90 minutes, which it did not.

Tottenham: A new king in North London?

Arsenal fans enjoy bullying their neighbors, reminding them of the trophies they won at White Hart Lane, and while the past is definitely not an enjoyable topic for Tottenham, Arsenal have no room to speak about the present. The Gunner’s rivals are in a Champions League semi-final and they have practically secured their place in next year’s edition with this win against Brighton. To add, they did all this without any summer transfers.

What Tottenham have accomplished is absolutely tremendous, and they have turned into a team that is competitive regardless of the situation. If the match involves scoring goals, they are capable as everyone saw in their last outing in the Champions League. If the match involves breaking down stubborn opposition, they are also well-equipped as seen in this match.

Spurs have evolved into a team that should be feared in the span of a season, and although there is work to be done before they can truly challenge for a title it’s clear that Pochettino is pushing for Premier League dominance. Clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal may boast about their past, but it is Tottenham who are dominating the present.

No sympathy for the Seagulls

Someone finally decided to wake Hughton and his team from the slumber that almost pushed them into the Championship. Brighton were resolute and played an organized match in order to keep Tottenham out and although they only managed 22% possession, this was all part of the grand plan which is to escape relegation.

One can paint such efforts as valiant or pathetic. There is definitely something admirable about a team fighting for survival in the Premier League, but it is hard to sympathize with Brighton as what they’ve done in the last two matches can hardly be considered “fighting.” With this match, they’ve failed to score in seven matches. It’s anti-football, and while it may work for Hughton and the Seagulls they should not expect sympathy from anyone other than their own fans as their displays have been sleep-inducing.

Frankly, such efforts do not merit a result and it is only just that Eriksen scored so late in the match. Mat Ryan wasted time multiple times throughout the match thinking that his efforts would save his team. If Brighton are fortunate enough to escape relegation will it be just to see them repeating these antics again next season? Brighton have had their time, and they are desperately holding on to a place in the Premier League they do not deserve.

Tottenham: Llorente enough?

At this point in the season Spurs are almost guaranteed a comfortable spot in the table so the need for a striker isn’t too dire, but it’s clear that Llorente and Vincent Janssen are levels below Harry Kane. While the Spurs star man may not be needed in what remains of the Premier League campaign he may be missed in the Champions League.

Llorente is a fine forward, but what Kane brings to the pitch is more than what one would expect from a striker. Not only does the Englishman involve himself in build-up play; he also creates space for his teammates with smart play. His eye for the spectacular and unexpected will also be missed.

Tottenham may be getting results without their star man but it’s clear, especially from this match, that the added experience and attacking prowess Harry Kane adds would greatly boost Spur’s attack. Pochettino will be hoping his second choice strikers will be enough in the meantime.

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