“Rookie mistake”: Dimitar Berbatov noticed the big error Tottenham’s £21M star made in 3-2 defeat vs Brighton

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Tottenham Hotspur miraculously surrendered a two-goal lead against Brighton and Hove Albion to lose 3-2 on the south coast.

Spurs controlled the first-half as goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison handed them the lead going into the interval. However, they suffered an inexcusable implosion as three goals in 22 minutes turned the game completely on its head.

Ange Postecoglou’s defence looked in total disarray and once Yankuba Minteh netted Brighton’s first, the visitors looked rattled. Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck were both also on the scoresheet as the Seagulls produced an impressive turnaround at the Amex Stadium.

Destiny Udogie’s ‘rookie error’ vs Brighton

Destiny Udogie had an afternoon to forget against Brighton as the Italian got run ragged by Brighton’s attackers, especially Minteh.

Dimitar Berbatov strongly criticised the Italian’s poor anticipation for the first goal as the defender failed to clear the cross, allowing the hosts to score.

Speaking after the defeat at Brighton, Berbatov told Sky Sports: “I think it’s a rookie mistake, he has plenty of games under his belt, he should do better than this. You are a defender first and foremost, you need to be able to defend.

“Yes in this day and age, defenders especially the full-backs will attack and sometimes the first thought is to attack, but it’s about reading the game.

“That first goal illustrated that really well, you need to anticipate if the pitch is wet, the ball is going to jump out at you. The speed is going to be different, you need to be ready no matter what and that’s why I say when you make mistakes like that, of course, you will be punished.”

How did the media rate Destiny Udogie’s nightmare afternoon?

The media did not hold back in their assessments of Udogie’s performance against Brighton and the stats highlight just how poor he was.

The 21-year-old’s performances over recent weeks haven’t been great and there have been suggestions he is still unfit having just returned from injury.

Football.London did not hold back on Udogie giving him a three for his display and stating: “Back after missing the midweek match and he played well in the first half only to make a mess off trying to clear a cross and presenting the ball to Minteh to score.

“Put in a weak challenge on Rutter before he scored Brighton’s second and was poor again with the same player for the third, getting himself nutmegged and beaten. A poor day at the office from the young Italian.”

It was another three for his display from the Evening Standard who said: “Weak for all three Brighton goals in surely his roughest afternoon in English football. Was he unfit or just out of sorts? Either way, he cost Spurs.”

The Sun were a lot more generous handing the defender a five, however, they did claim he should have been replaced by Djed Spence: “Udogie was the culprit of a major cock-up at the back to put the ball on a plate for Yankuba Minteh to pull one back for the hosts. Djed Spence has done well off the bench in recent weeks so a shake-up may be on the cards.”