Tottenham Hotspur suffered a shock defeat on the south coast as they let slip a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Brighton.
Goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison sent Spurs into the lead heading into the break and Ange Postecoglou’s side enjoyed total control of the first-half. However, an inexcusable implosion in the second 45 minutes saw them concede three goals in 22 minutes turning the game completely on its head.
The Lilywhites’ 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.
The Australian head coach must now look to make changes to his back-line which was far too lackadaisical on the south coast.
Why Ange Postecoglou must bring in Djed Spence vs West Ham
Following Destiny Udogie’s torrid afternoon against Brighton, Postecoglou must consider replacing the Italian with Djed Spence.
The defender has been left out in the cold over recent weeks having played just 108 minutes in all competitions this season. Spence was excluded from Spurs’ Europa League squad with the Aussie boss opting for four goalkeepers instead.
But every time the former Nottingham Forest man has featured he has looked really solid. Spence scored against Coventry to start their revival against the Championship side and came on to replace Udogie at Old Trafford. In both matches, he did a great job off the bench, with defensive abilities looking considerably better than the 21-year-old.
Udogie has not looked fully fit since returning from his long-term hamstring injury and Postecoglou must acknowledge this by bringing back Spence into the team.
How Tottenham could line-up after the international break
Tottenham will be hopeful that in a fortnight, Heung-min Son will be ok to return from injury to feature against West Ham United.
Postecoglou has been forced into starting Timo Werner at left wing and the German has looked really poor in the three games he has played. Spence in for Udogie is likely to be the only other potential changes not being particularly viable.
Tottenham’s predicted line-up vs West Ham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski; Johnson, Son, Solanke.
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