Tottenham Hotspur managed to miraculously surrender a two-goal lead as they slipped to defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Spurs enjoyed total control in the first-half as goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison saw them race into the lead. However, the second 45 minutes was a completely different story as three goals from the hosts saw the game somehow turn on its head.
Ange Postecoglou’s defence looked all over the place in the second period and once Yankuba Minteh scored Brighton’s first, the visitors looked totally rattled. There were some hugely underwhelming displays from Spurs’ players but two in particular had an afternoon to forget on the south coast.
Tottenham player ratings vs Manchester United
Gugliemo Vicario – 6
Gugliemo Vicario didn’t get much help from his defence. The Italian made some good saves in the first-half to deny the Seagulls but in the second period, Spurs’ defence looked all over the shop.
Pedro Porro – 6
Pedro Porro had a decent display in defence and it would be harsh to group the Spaniard with the defenders who disappointed at the Amex Stadium. The 24-year-old once again showed signs of improvement defensively up against a very strong Kaoru Mitoma.
Cristian Romero – 5
Cristian Romero’s performance will have frustrated Tottenham fans as he was often relying on others to do his work and was looking around for others to blame each time Brighton scored or came close.
Micky van de Ven – 5
Following his incredible performance against Manchester United, this was quite a fall-off for Micky van de Ven. The defender looked all over the place against Brighton and was regularly caught out.
Destiny Udogie – 4
Truly an afternoon to forget for Destiny Udogie. Minteh had Udogie on toast throughout the second-half and he was partly at fault for all three of Brighton’s goals.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
Rodrigo Bentancur helped Spurs to have total control of the ball in the first-half as he nicely linked the defence and midfield. However, in the second period, he never got going and was hauled off for Yves Bissouma.
James Maddison – 6
In the week he was once again overlooked by the England manager, James Maddison looked set to produce a display that would leave Lee Carsley reconsidering his decision. He netted for the Lilywhites in the first-half, but like the whole team, he was nowhere to be seen after the break.
Dejan Kulusevski – 7
Dejan Kulusevski was superb before the break. He was everywhere and causing Brighton some real issues. The Swede was Tottenham’s only real bright spark though on a gloomy afternoon.
Brennan Johnson – 6
Brennan Johnson again silenced the critics and made it six goals in six appearances becoming the first Tottenham player to achieve that feat since Harry Kane almost six years ago. Aside from the goal though, it wasn’t his liveliest game of football.
Timo Werner – 4
Timo Werner. Possibly the worst player on the pitch. It was quite sad to see how shot of confidence the German looked throughout. His display was summed up in the first few minutes as he messed up an easy chance to cross for Johnson and give Spurs the lead.
Dominic Solanke – 7
Another strong centre-forward performance from Dominic Solanke, which was just missing a goal. The striker once again linked up play well and his hold-up play was excellent. But in the second-half, he was given next to no service.
Subs:
Mikey Moore – 6
Pape Matar Sarr – 6
Yves Bissouma – 6
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