LONDON — Tottenham beat Brighton in the 97th minute in north London on Saturday as Brennan Johnson was the hero and Heung-min Son played his part.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs remain on track to finish in the top four as they jumped above Aston Villa and in to fourth place.
Brighton dominated the early stages in a game which ebbed and flowed throughout and took the lead through Pascal Gross’ penalty kick but Tottenham surged back and got a deserved equalizer. Pape Matar Sarr surged forward and finished brilliantly at the second attempt to make it 1-1.
Both teams had big chances to win it as Brighton’s Ansu Fati scuffed a shot wide before Spurs won it. Son raced down the left and set up fellow sub Johnson to tap home and send the home fans wild.
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With the win Tottenham have 47 for the season, while Brighton stay on 35.
Top four dreams alive but warning lights flashing
Tottenham were delirious at the final whistle as they won it in the 97th minute through a magnificent ball from Son. But they probably didn’t deserve to win it. Brighton had big chances throughout the game and looked the most likely to win it late on before a moment of quality from Son put the ball on a plate for Johnson to finish. Brighton caused Spurs big problems in midfield as they won it back time and time again and there was a real lack of control for Spurs. This felt like some of their wins early in the season where they scraped by rather than truly dominating and deserving the win. There are still key players shaking off rust after coming back from injury and Son and Bissouma are back from international duty which is a huge boost. Tottenham will get better as the season reaches its climax and the great news for them is they beat Brighton late on even when they weren’t at their best. But they must learn from the mistakes they made in this game and they can’t repeat them in a run of winnable games coming up. That is how you get to the top four.
Tottenham vs Brighton player ratings
Both Gross and Sarr were on the scoresheet and they were also superb in midfield, driving their teams on. Mitoma and Richarlison were also excellent at sustaining attacks as this was a proper game between two teams who went for it from the start.
What’s next?
Tottenham host Wolves next Saturday, Feb. 17, while Brighton head to Sheffield United the following day.
How to watch Tottenham vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (February 10)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Tottenham vs Brighton score: 2-1
Johnson 90+7', Sarr 61'; Gross 17'
Tottenham vs Brighton live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Tottenham 2-1 Brighton
A thrilling end-to-end game which had it all. Tottenham won it late on. Brighton probably deserved a draw.
🤯🤯🤯 TOTTENHAM WIN IT IN THE 97TH MINUTE AGAINST BRIGHTON!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 10, 2024
Crazy scenes here as Spurs snatch victory right at the end. Harsh on Brighton. Reaction & analysis ➡️ https://t.co/gaJztirepI
My thoughts on a HUGE win for Tottenham v Brighton ⤵️ #THFC #BHAFC #TOTBHA pic.twitter.com/eTB2mlkeFf
Tottenham win it! Last gasp winner from Brennan Johnson - Tottenham 2-1 Brighton (97th minute)
Chaos here! Johnson taps home at the back post after great work from Son down the left to set him up.
The clock is ticking and this could go either way...
Brighton are taking risks and Tottenham are looking to counter. Both teams are going for it. It’s in their DNA.
15 minutes to and Brighton go so close
Brighton have wrestled back some control of the game and Ansu Fati scuffs a shot inches wide of the far post after great work from Mitoma. The Seagulls should be back in front. Moments later another glorious chances arrives as Mitoma races free and sets up Fati. He finds Buonanotte but his shot is deflected wide with Vicario beaten. Tottenham have totally lost control of this game.
Game on! Sarr slots home to send the home fans wild - Tottenham 1-1 Brighton (61st minute)
Spurs deserve that. Kulusevski with a great ball through to the onrushing Sarr and his cross is deflected onto the post by Dunk but Sarr finishes the rebound superbly. Wild celebrations for the goal and then Son, Johnson and Bissouma come off the bench. Son rallies the home crowd as he comes on as he waves his arms frantically in the air. Tottenham well in the ascendancy now.
Same pattern at the start of the second half
Spurs have started the second half well as they win a free kick on the edge of the box but it is straight at Steele. Son is out warming up and gets a huge round of applause.
Half time: Tottenham 0-1 Brighton
The Seagulls scored early and deserved their lead with Vicario making two fine saves. But Tottenham have dominated the last 30 minutes of the first half and Richarlison and Kulusevski have been denied by Steele. Surely we will see Son and Bissouma on soon.
🚨Brighton lead Tottenham 1-0 at half time with Vicario & Steele the stars so far. Big 45 minutes coming up for Spurs.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 10, 2024
WATCH LIVE + analysis, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/gaJztirepI
My thoughts on Tottenham v Brighton ⤵️ #THFC #BHAFC #TOTBHA pic.twitter.com/c06fCDnT1g
Richarlison and Maddison can’t sort their feet out
Another chance on the counter for Spurs as Richarlison surges clear but he’s stumbling and tries to play in Maddison who can’t get the ball out of his feet. Brighton clear. Spurs well on top now.
Steele denies Kulusevski
Great stop from Jason Steele to deny Dejan Kulusevski. He was off balance but should probably score. Tottenham piling on the pressure now as half time approaches.
Vicario with another fine stop
The chances keep on coming at both ends as Mitoma is denied brilliantly by Vicario who tips the ball away from close range.
Chances for Tottenham now as Richarlison denied, Maddison curls wide
This is very open now. That early goal for Brighton is exactly what the game needed. Richarlison is clean through but Jason Steele does well to save down low. Moments later Maddison breaks free but curls his shot from the edge of the box inches wide. That was so close to an equalizer.
Brighton deservedly lead early on - Tottenham 0-1 Brighton (17th minute)
Brighton lead! Micky van de Ven catches Danny Welbeck on the foot in the box after Bentancur lost the ball under pressure on the edge of the box and a penalty kick is given. Pascal Gross strokes the ball home. Brighton deserve that. They’ve been excellent in the first 20 minutes.
Brilliant stop from Vicario to deny Welbeck inside the first minute
Micky van de Ven is caught out on the halfway line and Welbeck races clear before curling across goal but Vicario does superbly to tip it wide. Great chance for Brighton with the first chance of the game.
👋 Hello from north London!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) February 10, 2024
WATCH LIVE + analysis, reaction, videos and more ➡️ https://t.co/gaJztirepI
My thoughts on Tottenham v Brighton ⤵️ #THFC #BHAFC #TOTBHA pic.twitter.com/XlBxdbh2RF
The team news is out and both Son and Bissouma start on the bench for Spurs after returning from international duty. Brighton have Mitoma starting after he left the Asian Cup and he will start on the left and drift inside to support Welbeck.
Tottenham lineup
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner; Richarlison
Brighton lineup
Steele; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour, Lallana; Buonanotte, Welbeck, Mitoma
Will Heung-min Son play? Is he available against Brighton?
Heung-min Son is available after South Korea lost in the Asian Cup semifinals, and it will be intriguing to see if he starts or is eased back in. Ange Postecoglou spoke about the return of Son and Yves Bissouma from international duty and is positive about both featuring against Brighton.
“Yeah, they’re all good,” Postecoglou said. “Biss had a slightly longer trip and then Sonny had a pretty tough tournament in terms of the extra-time matches and late finishes but both trained today and are in good spirits.
“It’s good to get the guys back in the building. All three of them were representing their countries, unfortunately their tournaments have ended early but we’re the beneficiaries of that. Then Gio’s back training with the group which is good and he’s had a good week in training. It’s been good for the lads to see everyone back together as it’s been a while since we’ve had everyone training, today was kind of the first session where everyone was in which was good to see.”
Focus on Tottenham, team news
With Son and Bissouma back and other injuries calming down for Spurs, Postecoglou almost has a fully-fit squad to choose from. That is a rarity since he arrived this summer.
OUT: Manor Solomon (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh)
Focus on Brighton, team news
Mitoma will be back for Brighton which is a big boost. Injuries have also calmed down for the Seagulls as Roberto De Zerbi will surely have something wild up his sleeve in terms of team selection and personnel starting in different spots than we expected.
OUT: Joao Pedro (hamstring), Julio Enciso (knee), Solly March (knee), James Milner (thigh), Joel Veltman (knee), Simon Adingra (international duty)
