Match Coverage

Why Randal Kolo Muani wasn’t in the squad for Tottenham to face Brighton

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Randal Kolo Muani is not in the squad to take on Brighton in the Premier League.

After 45 minutes of play, Brighton have looked very sharp.

A well-taken one-on-one for Yankuba Minteh and a Yasin Ayari screamer left the home side in a strong position, but Richarlison was able to bundle home a 42nd-minute goal to reduce the deficit.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Apart from a scrappy goal, Spurs’ attack has looked somewhat blunt.

Thomas Frank would surely have liked the option of bringing on new signing Randal Kolo Muani, but he didn’t make the squad.

Randal Kolo Muani misses just his second ever game through injury

The strikers in the squad before Kolo Muani’s arrival have been far from reliable when it comes to staying fit.

Dominic Solanke is out since the start of the season, and Richarlison is as injury-prone as they come. No fault of either player’s, but it can be enough to derail a season.

Kolo Muani has missed just one game through injury in his storied career, while at Eintracht Frankfurt. But today marks the second such occasion, as he was left out of the squad due to a dead leg.

Randal Kolo Muani during Tottenham warm-up
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

Spurs find themselves with a gap to breach in the second 45, and not having the Frenchman on the bench makes that all the more difficult.

Thomas Frank explained why Wilson Odobert got the nod

Before the game, Frank was asked about his decision to give Wilson Odobert the start.

He liked what he saw from the winger during the week, as he explains: “Wilson Odobert has been very good in training and has looked sharp so I thought it was a good opportunity for him to start today.”

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

That leaves Xavi Simons on the bench, but he’s sure to get a chance in the second half.

Not the usual solid defensive showing we’ve been used to this season, but Brighton’s goals were more quality attack than poor defence.