BRIGHTON — A truly sensational comeback saw Brighton win 3-2 against Tottenham, as the Seagulls trailed 2-0 at half time but made the most of an embarrassing implosion from Spurs.
It is the first time Brighton have trailed a Premier League game by two goals at half time and come back to win. Seagulls fans couldn’t believe it as the Amex erupted at the final whistle after a remarkable game of two halves.
Goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison put Tottenham in a great position at the break but Brighton scored early in the second half through Yankuba Minteh and never looked back.
Georginio Rutter made it 2-2 then Danny Welbeck scored the winner as Brighton held on for the win with ease and Ange Postecoglou looked totally stunned on the sidelines.
Brighton now move on to 12 points for the season, two above Tottenham who suffered a huge blow to confidence levels.
Tottenham’s main flaw exposed in Brighton implosion
The way Tottenham let a 2-0 lead slip at Brighton to go 3-2 down was comical. It all summed up why Ange Postecoglou’s idealism won’t get them much further. Spurs were well on top in the first half, creating so many chances, but you always felt like they would let Brighton back in the game. And they did more than that. The excellent Mitoma was creating problems in the first half but the Seagulls weren’t clinical. They smelt fear as soon as their first goal went in early in the second half and never looked back. Tottenham did not turn up for the second half and thought the game was won when Maddison’s goal went in to make it 2-0 before the break. Postecoglou’s side created chances galore in the first half with quick passing forward from midfield. They stopped doing that in the second half and Bentancur was hooked off as he was totally overrun as the lone midfield holding player with Maddison and Kulusevski either side of him. Tottenham’s balance was totally off in the second half and even if you want to be an open, entertaining and attacking team at all times, you have to change things up and shut up shop to hold on to a 2-0 lead and be professional to see it out. Tottenham believed they had won this game at half time and that just cannot happen. Spurs’ collapse exposed their main flaw once again as Postecoglou stuck with their ridiculous high-line and the full backs Porro and Udogie were left exposed and run ragged by Mitoma and Minteh. Spurs aren’t capable of controlling a game and until they can defend properly, they will not take the next step into the Champions League.
Brighton vs Tottenham player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Mitoma, Rutter and Minteh all excelled for Brighton, while Johnson and Maddison were so dangerous but couldn’t get Spurs a crucial third goal before half time. That made all the difference.
What’s next?
Brighton head to Newcastle on Saturday, October 19, while Tottenham host West Ham on the same day.
How to watch Brighton vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday
Venue: Amex Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream online via NBC.com
Brighton vs Tottenham final score: 3-2
Minteh 48' Rutter 58', Welbeck 66'; Johnson 23', Maddison 37'
Brighton vs Tottenham live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at Amex Stadium
Four minutes of stoppage time
Four more minutes for Brighton to hold on. Tottenham are whipping in crosses galore and have a late corner...
Verbruggen denies Udogie
Spurs are pushing hard for an equalizer late on (who predicted that!?) and Udogie’s low strike is deflected and is saved well by Verbruggen. Strong right hand.
Wieffer and Enciso on for Rutter and Baleba
Double change for Brighton as we approach the final 15 minutes plus stoppage time. Rutter has been excellent in the second half. Enciso will replace him in the No. 10 role and Wieffer will slot in to the holding midfield role. Can the Seagulls hang on for what would be a famous win?
Welbeck heads home! Brighton lead! Wow! - Brighton 3-2 Tottenham
WHAT A COMEBACK! It is rocking here at the Amex. From 2-0 down at half time, Brighton lead. Welbeck heads home Rutter’s cross. Spurs have imploded. Udogie and Porro all over the place defensively at full back. Postecoglou can’t believe it.
It is all Brighton
Right now there’s only one team who is going to win this. Brighton are well on top now. Welbeck, Rutter, Mitoma and Minteh causing havoc. Tottenham totally overrun in midfield. The home fans are loving it.
Rutter finishes as Brighton roar back! - Brighton 2-2 Tottenham
We are level here at the Amex. Brighton have roared back from 2-0 down and totally deserve it. After great work from Mitoma, Georginio Rutter creates a yard and keeps his calm to slot home. Tottenham haven’t woken up in the second half. What a game we have here at the Amex! The stadium was shaking when that ball hit the back of the net.
Mitoma denied by Vicario
Much better from Brighton in the second half. Mitoma’s low shot is saved by Vicario and he then claims the rebound. Tottenham aren’t dominating midfield like they did in the first half.
Brighton are back in it! Minteh smashes home - Brighton 1-2 Tottenham
Right at the start of the second half Brighton are back in it. Minteh slams home at the back post after Udogie makes a hash of the clearance from Mitoma’s cross. Brighton back in it.
Half time: Brighton 0-2 Tottenham
As expected, plenty of goalscoring chances but Spurs have been clinical and have ripped Brighton open time and time again. Mitoma and Welbeck have looked bright for Brighton but Spurs’ forward quintet of Maddison, Kulusevski, Werner, Solanke and Johnson have been a joy to watch.
Johnson should make it 3-0
Once again Spurs play one ball in-behind and Johnson is in. He cuts inside but lifts his shot over the ball as it just bounced up before he hit it. Brighton cannot keep giving Spurs this much space in midfield. It’s crazy.
Spurs double their lead as Maddison squeeze home - Brighton 0-2 Tottenham
Woah. That was so easy for Spurs. One ball opens up Brighton and Solanke finds Werner who cuts inside and lays it off to Maddison. His low shot doesn’t have much power on it but Verbruggen has had a nightmare there. The ball squirms in. Tottenham 2-0 up and cruising. Long way back for Brighton, but they keep pouring forward.
Mitoma almost scores and creates one
Brighton have responded well. First Mitoma whips in a cross which turns into a shot and Vicario punches it away. Then he clips in a lovely low cross with the outside of his foot that Welbeck prods towards goal but it goes wide. Brighton should be level. Tottenham still look like scoring every time they come forward, but some hope for Brighton in these last few minutes.
Johnson scores again to give Spurs the lead! - Brighton 0-1 Tottenham
This one counts. Brighton lose the ball with Udogie winning it back, then Maddison finds Solanke and his ball through to Johnson is inch-perfect. Johnson finishes to score his sixth goal in six games in all competitions and celebrates in front of the away fans. Spurs rewarded for their fine start.
No goal for Tottenham as Porro was offside
Pedro Porro is played in and his cross finds Maddison at the back post and is bundled over the line. But VAR is used to check the on-field decision of offside and Porro was just off.
Webster off and Igor is on
Adam Webster is forced off early. After hitting a long clearance forward he pulled up and held his left hamstring. Igor is on at center back for Brighton.
Kulusevski has a shot blocked
We are less than three minutes in and Tottenham have already had two big chances. This time Kulusevski’s shot is blocked and deflects over. Great run from the Sweden international down the right.
👋 Hello and welcome to the Amex!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) October 6, 2024
Watch live + analysis, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/wi4NnC2Nho
My thoughts ahead of Brighton v Tottenham ⤵️ #BHAFC #THFC pic.twitter.com/zg9VQfJZ3R
Spurs should be ahead after 20 seconds!
Werner is played in and squares for Johnson but he overhits the pass. That looked like a certain goal for Tottenham with less than 20 seconds on the clock.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Webster, Dunk, Veltman; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
Tottenham lineup
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Werner
Brighton focus, team news
Joao Pedro’s setback is a Brighton bummer, but March’s return would mark a welcome sight as the club servant was one of their best players under Roberto De Zerbi.
OUT: Joao Pedro (ankle), Jan Paul van Hecke (other), Matthew O’Riley (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Brajan Gruda (other), Simon Adingra (other), James Milner (thigh), Solly March (knee)
Tottenham focus, team news
Spurs rested Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur at midweek, though the pair did make the trip to Hungary, while Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison only appeared off the bench.
OUT: Richarlison (undisclosed), Wilson Odobert (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Heung-min Son (thigh), Destiny Udogie (thigh)
Brighton vs Tottenham prediction
This is a good spot for Brighton, although the Pedro absence is big. The Brazilian’s only been available for 19 minutes over the last three Premier League games and the Seagulls are 0-2-1 in that stretch. Spurs have been flying, dominant in their last two PL affairs. Will their travel legs affect them? Brighton 1-2 Spurs.
Brighton vs Tottenham preview
Tottenham returns from Hungary where a much-changed lineup beat Ferencvaros 2-1 in Europa League action, as Ange Postecoglou counted on youth and a few veterans to get him through the game, and will have to shake off the travel quickly against bright Brighton. Spurs have 10 points, one more than Brighton and three back of fourth-place Chelsea. Tottenham are five points off the top of the table.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls have some injury concerns but are also getting a key piece back soon as Solly March may be back in the fold. Brighton started 2-0 this season but then drew three before falling 4-2 at Chelsea in Week 6.
