Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Beram Kayal insists that his all action performance in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening was a significant one for him.
The midfielder started his sixth game of the campaign against the north London side at the Amex Stadium, and revealed that after a period out of the side he was glad to be back in the fold.
He said, “I put myself on the line because it’s something I enjoy for the team and the club – that’s special for me and at the end of the game it was great to see we earned ourselves a big point against another top quality team.
“I’ve had to wait for my chance and I do everything I can to enter the thoughts of the manager. I was out for a long time and I had to be patient.
“I played the cup games and I always just try to prove myself - I played against Everton in the league and felt I did well.
“All I can do is give the manager a decision to make – Dale [Stephens] and Davy [Propper] have both been amazing this season and I know that’s how the game works when you get injured.
“They’ve proved themselves with good reason and I was happy and proud for them, and it makes my game better as well because I raise my standards and give as much as I can.”
The draw against Spurs moved the Seagulls onto 36 points in the Premier League, and the former Celtic man emphasised the positive mood in the Albion changing room following the result.
“As a team we are very positive – we deserved the point from the game because we worked so hard against a real top-quality team.
“We knew of their ability, especially in attack – and that we needed a result at this stage of the season, that’s what we got, so we’re very happy and proud of ourselves.
“They have quality players in all different areas of the field and their system means they crowd that area when players come in from out wide.
“It means it’s hard work, but we were well organised before the game – our shape and commitment were perfect, and the fans seemed happy with the performance.”
The side’s second game in four days came after a 3-2 defeat to Selhurst Park at the weekend, when all five goals of the contest against Roy Hodgson’s men came in the first half.
Kayal highlighted that the team were wary of the frantic start to that game and revealed that they were conscious of making sure it didn’t happen against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
“After the game with Crystal Palace we knew we’d have to start a lot better because their quality would punish us – we did that, and I don’t remember too many of their chances, and that shows how focused we were as a team.
“The job is not done yet, but we are heading in the right direction – we can be proud when we pick up results like this one.”