Brighton & Hove Albion scored three second-half goals to stun Tottenham Hotspur and come from behind to secure a remarkable 3-2 victory in the Premier League on Sunday evening, leaving Ange Postecoglou questioning where it all went wrong after an excellent first half.
Tottenham started the game quickly and could have found the net on numerous occasions in the opening minutes, but Brighton were able to hang on and eventually grew into the game, gaining more possession and attempting to push higher up the pitch.
Spurs thought they had found the opener in the 22nd minute as Pedro Porro delivered into the box, with the resulting goalmouth scramble seeing the ball cross the line, but as fast as the ref awarded the goal, he took it away due to an offside decision against the full-back.
A minute later and Spurs finally had their well-deserved opener as Brennan Johnson slotted a first-time shot with his weaker left foot into the bottom left corner, marking his sixth goal in a row across all competitions.
Tottenham's second goal arrived at the perfect moment for the visitors, just as Brighton began to take control of the match, when James Maddison's curled effort slipped under Bart Verbruggen's hands and into the net, doubling their lead heading into the break.
Fabian Hurzeler's half-time team talk clearly had an effect on his players as they burst out of the blocks, pulling one back just minutes after the restart when Yankuba Minteh fired home from close range, scoring his first goal for the club and giving Brighton a clear path back into the game.
Brighton's brilliant second-half comeback continued just before the hour mark when Georginio Rutter brought the hosts level, drilling his left-footed strike across goal and into the far corner after evading Destiny Udogie's initial challenge.
The resurgence continued as, just minutes later, Brighton completed the comeback and took the lead through Danny Welbeck's close-range header, following a brilliant display of skill from Rutter to escape multiple defenders and deliver the ball into the box.
Brighton stayed on top for the remainder of the second half, and despite squandering multiple chances to put the game to bed, they stood strong to confirm their comeback win.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION VS. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR HIGHLIGHTS
Brennan Johnson goal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (23rd min, Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur)
SIX in a row in all competitions for Brennan Johnson! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3lZSis1BIv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 6, 2024
Johnson just cannot stop scoring!
Brighton attempt to play out from the back, but Tottenham's high press proves too strong, allowing them to quickly regain possession deep in the opposition's half through Maddison.
The midfielder swiftly plays the ball into the feet of Dominic Solanke, who takes a couple of touches before threading the ball between the Brighton defence and into the path of Johnson.
The in-form forward makes no mistake as he calmly slides his effort into the bottom left corner, giving Spurs a deserved lead and scoring his sixth in as many games.
James Maddison goal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (37th min, Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur)
"It's a nasty moment for Bart Verbruggen" 🫣
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 6, 2024
James Maddison doubles Tottenham's lead 🎯 pic.twitter.com/FzfmfR93dp
A howler from Verbruggen sees Spurs score their second!
Solanke once again finds himself playing creator, this time feeding the ball between the lines to Timo Werner, who has plenty of space on the left-hand side.
The German stands up his defender just inside the box before cutting the ball back to Maddison, who takes one touch, opens up his body, and attempts to place his shot into the far corner.
Verbruggen should make a comfortable save, but the ball slips under his hands and bounces up into the net, making for a disappointing moment for the young goalkeeper.
Yankuba Minteh goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (48th min, Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur)
Minteh pulls one back for Brighton! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/76is5F8PSJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 6, 2024
Brighton are right back in it from the restart.
Kaoru Mitoma receives the ball down the line and delivers a teasing left-footed cross into the box, which Tottenham fail to clear as Micky van de Ven misses the ball and Udogie miskicks it.
The resulting deflection sits up nicely for Minteh at the back post, and the winger fires the ball past Guglielmo Vicario and into the net, giving Brighton a lifeline.
Georginio Rutter goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (58th min, Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur)
"Bright and breezy!" 😮💨
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 6, 2024
Georginio Rutter puts Brighton on level terms! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3j52w12XJF
Brighton draw level just before the hour mark!
Mitoma receives the ball in a central area and quickly plays the ball into Rutter, who is advancing into the Tottenham penalty area with two defenders closing in on him.
The Frenchman rides Udogie's challenge, cuts onto his left foot and expertly dispatches his shot across goal into the bottom-right corner, equalising for his side with his second Premier League goal in as many games.
Danny Welbeck goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (66th min, Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur)
"From nowhere to on top of the world!" 🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 6, 2024
Brighton turn it around! Welbeck heads home! 💥 pic.twitter.com/gI1MUWCLzr
What a comeback from Brighton as Welbeck gives them the lead!
Absolutely sensational stuff from Rutter on the right side as he showcases his strength and skill to weave through multiple Tottenham defenders, ultimately making his way into the box.
Rutter appears to have overhit his touch as the ball seems destined for a goal kick, but the forward slides to keep it in play and clips a cross into the box, where Welbeck finds himself unmarked and is able to nod it into the net.
MAN OF THE MATCH - KAORU MITOMA
© Imago
Mitoma was a constant thorn in Tottenham's side throughout the 90 minutes, and the winger was vital in Brighton's efforts to come from behind in the second half.
Mitoma made three key passes and created two big chances throughout the game, while his mouth-watering cross led to Minteh's goal, and he also assisted Rutter's equaliser.
The winger was also exceptional out of possession, helping the defence out with three tackles, two interceptions and winning seven duels, marking a magnificent all-round display.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION VS. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton & Hove Albion 41%-59% Tottenham Hotspur
Shots: Brighton & Hove Albion 11-13 Tottenham Hotspur
Shots on target: Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Corners: Brighton & Hove Albion 4-7 Tottenham Hotspur
Fouls: Brighton & Hove Albion 14-10 Tottenham Hotspur
BEST STATS
Only Erling Haaland (11) has scored more goals across all competitions this season than Brennan Johnson (6) among Premier League players.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 6, 2024
SIX GAMES IN A ROW. ⚽️#BHATOT pic.twitter.com/n32RikAcg7
6 - Brennan Johnson is the first player to score in six consecutive appearances for Tottenham in all competitions since Harry Kane in January 2019. His six goals in this run surpasses his tally in the whole of last season for Spurs (5 in 34 apps). Super. pic.twitter.com/PRCN4pct50
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 6, 2024
Destiny Udogie won more duels (7/8) and made more tackles (4) than any other player on the pitch in the first half vs. Brighton. 💪#BHATOT pic.twitter.com/WQhkkaARv4
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 6, 2024
Micky van de Ven's first half by numbers vs. Brighton:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 6, 2024
42/43 passes completed
5/6 duels won
3/3 take-ons completed
2x possession won
1 interception
He completed more take-ons than any other player on the pitch. 🏃#BHATOT pic.twitter.com/Io3zFFPFN9
Danny Welbeck (71) has scored more PL goals than Eric Cantona (70) and Luis Suárez (69). pic.twitter.com/0ggzg5tScw
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) October 6, 2024
10 - This is the 10th time that Tottenham have lost a Premier League game in which they led by 2+ goals, the first club to hit double figures for this, and at least three more than any other side in the competition's history. Spursy. pic.twitter.com/9Xe0zx7ntq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 6, 2024
Kaoru Mitoma's game by numbers vs. Tottenham:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 6, 2024
7 duels won
5 touches in opp. box
5 crosses
3 chances created
3 tackles
3 shots
2 fouls won
2 interceptions
1 assist
Superb throughout. 🩺#BHATOT pic.twitter.com/Op4bjRlEvX
WHAT NEXT?
Following a stunning comeback victory for Brighton, the Seagulls will aim to secure two consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since the season's opening games when they face Newcastle United at St James' Park after the international break.
Defeat for Tottenham brings an end to their run of five consecutive wins since last suffering a loss to Arsenal, and Postecoglou's men will have to wait until after the break to face West Ham United for their chance to bounce back.
Ellis Stevens
