Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 0.
Tottenham 1-0 Brighton: Christian Eriksen gives Spurs vital home win
- From the section Premier League
Christian Eriksen's stunning late winner finally ended Brighton's resistance to boost Tottenham's hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Brighton were on course to gain a point in their battle to avoid relegation before the Denmark playmaker - Spurs' most effective attacking player throughout - shot low into the corner from 25 yards in the 88th minute.
Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld had earlier hit the post while his team-mates Lucas Moura and Dele Alli both had efforts cleared off the goalline.
Brighton, without a goal in seven matches, were restricted to counter attacks and set pieces, with the impressive central defensive pairing of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy both heading off target.
Third-placed Tottenham are now three points ahead of Chelsea and four clear of Arsenal in fifth, although the Gunners have a game in hand.
Brighton - who have to play both Arsenal and title-chasing Manchester City - remain 17th, three points clear of third-bottom Cardiff with three matches of the season remaining.
Spurs take victory in "must win" game
Before the match Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino described the game as a "must win" so will be relieved his side eventually converted their 78% possession into a decisive moment with their 29th effort at goal.
It was always likely to be Eriksen who unlocked Brighton's well-organised defence given he had created his side's best chances.
His early cross was headed over by Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen then minutes later England's Dele Alli narrowly failed to get a touch on another Eriksen delivery.
Brazil forward Moura was also played in by Eriksen and although his shot evaded Seagulls keeper Mat Ryan, it was cleared off the line by Dunk - whose centre-back partner Duffy denied Alli in similar fashion soon after.
Spurs continued to create chances in the second half with Eriksen and Son Heung-min both shooting over before Danny Rose forced a fine one-handed save from Ryan.
Alderweireld's shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area hit the inside of the post and bounced out and Spurs were so desperate for a goal that they turned to striker Vincent Janssen for his first Spurs appearance since August 2017.
There looked to be minimal danger when Alli slid a pass to Eriksen 40 yards out but his fine strike from outside the area defeated Ryan to earn his side three points.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Tottenham
- 1Lloris
- 2Trippier
- 4Alderweireld
- 5Vertonghen
- 3Rose
- 23EriksenBooked at 46mins
- 12WanyamaSubstituted forDaviesat 82'minutes
- 20Alli
- 27Lucas MouraSubstituted forJanssenat 80'minutes
- 18Llorente
- 7Son Heung-MinSubstituted forFoythat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 6D Sánchez
- 9Janssen
- 15Dier
- 21Foyth
- 22Gazzaniga
- 33Davies
- 52Skipp
Brighton
- 1Ryan
- 22Montoya
- 4Duffy
- 5Dunk
- 30BernardoBooked at 75mins
- 13Groß
- 6Stephens
- 8BissoumaSubstituted forKayalat 86'minutes
- 16JahanbakhshSubstituted forMarchat 73'minutes
- 10AndoneBooked at 35minsSubstituted forMurrayat 64'minutes
- 9Locadia
Substitutes
- 3Bong
- 7Kayal
- 14Balogun
- 17Murray
- 20March
- 27Button
- 33Burn
- Referee:
- Chris Kavanagh
- Attendance:
- 56,251
Match Stats
Home TeamTottenhamAway TeamBrighton
- Possession
- Home78%
- Away22%
- Shots
- Home29
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home6
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away13
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 0.
Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Beram Kayal (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Attempt missed. Solly March (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Martín Montoya.
Attempt missed. Solly March (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from a difficult angle on the right misses to the right. Assisted by Lewis Dunk.
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Juan Foyth replaces Son Heung-Min.
Goal!
Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 0. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Dele Alli.
Attempt missed. Beram Kayal (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Glenn Murray following a fast break.
Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Beram Kayal replaces Yves Bissouma.
Foul by Vincent Janssen (Tottenham Hotspur).
Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur).
Jürgen Locadia (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt saved. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Toby Alderweireld.
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Ben Davies replaces Victor Wanyama.
Attempt missed. Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Jürgen Locadia.
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Vincent Janssen replaces Lucas Moura.
Foul by Fernando Llorente (Tottenham Hotspur).
Jürgen Locadia (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Yves Bissouma tries a through ball, but Glenn Murray is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fernando Llorente.
Attempt missed. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the left side of the six yard box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt blocked. Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jan Vertonghen.
Attempt missed. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Danny Rose following a set piece situation.
Attempt missed. Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.
Booking
Bernardo (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Bernardo (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Attempt missed. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Solly March replaces Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Offside, Tottenham Hotspur. Toby Alderweireld tries a through ball, but Jan Vertonghen is caught offside.
Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) hits the right post with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Christian Eriksen following a corner.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Jürgen Locadia.
Attempt blocked. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Fernando Llorente.
Attempt blocked. Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Victor Wanyama.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Jürgen Locadia.
