Match Reports

Report: Albion 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

By James Hilsum • 22 September 2018

  • Albion beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur
  • Harry Kane gives Tottenham the lead from the penalty spot
  • Erik Lamela scores a second for Spurs
  • Anthony Knockaert replies in second-half stoppage time

Brighton & Hove Albion succumbed to their third league defeat of the season after being beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur.

Harry Kane’s first-half penalty and Erik Lamela’s strike after the break put the visitors two goals ahead, before Anthony Knockaert halved the deficit in the dying stages of the game.

Chris Hughton kept the same side that drew 2-2 with Southampton on Monday, while Florin Andone took his place on the bench for the first time this season.

Albion struggled to gain a foothold in the game during the opening stages, with Tottenham enjoying the majority of possession.

The visitors created their first chance when Toby Alderweireld attacked a corner and saw his deflected header saved brilliantly by Maty Ryan, before Davy Propper did enough to deter Jan Veronghen with his chance on the follow-up.

Down the other end, Knockaert drifted a deep free-kick towards Lewis Dunk, but the defender’s shot went past the far post.

The Frenchman then showed a brilliant piece of skill to bamboozle Lucas Moura, before being brought down by Danny Rose on the right-hand side. But the winger’s subsequent set-piece failed to find an Albion player in the Spurs box.

The Seagulls defence had to be alert to deal with the pace of Tottenham’s attacks, as Son Heung-Min’s close-range header from Kane’s cross was deflected over the bar.

Albion were dealt a blow when Dale Stephens was forced off injured following a coming-together with Moura, and was replaced by Beram Kayal.

Spurs were awarded a penalty after Glenn Murray was penalised for handball from Kieran Trippier’s free-kick, and Kane clinically dispatched the spot kick in the 42nd minute.

Albion came out of the traps quickly after the re-start and Knockaert cut inside from the right, but his resulting cross narrowly failed to find Solly March.

The latter was involved in the thick of the action again moments later after being brought down by Trippier, but Knockaert’s resulting set-piece delivery was headed over by Vertonghen.

Tottenham’s pace on the ball continued to cause Hughton’s men problems, as Christian Eriksen fired wide with a curling effort after being teed up by Moura on the edge of the area.

March was next to come close after latching onto Mousa Dembele’s short clearance, and the winger’s effort took a nick off Son before landing on the roof of the net.

Albion continued to press and Kayal managed to tee up Knockaert in the box, but the Frenchman took a touch and saw his close-range shot go straight at Paulo Gazzaniga in the Spurs goal.

Another chance went begging went Dunk won a tussle with Eric Dier in the box after meeting March’s corner, only for the centre-back to head over the bar.

But despite Albion’s much-improved second-half display, Pochettino’s men doubled their advantage through substitute Lamela, who fired home from Rose’s cross with 76 minutes on the clock.

The game headed into the closing stages and Knockaert handed Albion a late lifeline, as he broke forward and curled the ball into the far corner to make it 2-1 three minutes into stoppage time.

The Frenchman had another opportunity moments later, but Gazzaniga was equal to his effort, and the visitors held on for all three points on the south coast.

Albion will now turn their attentions to next week’s trip to the Etihad Stadium for a match against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

ALBION: Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens (Kayal 21), Propper, March (Jahanbakhsh73) ; Bissouma (Locadia 79); Murray.

SUBS NOT USED: Button (GK), Balogun, Bernardo, Andone.

LOTTERY RESULTS

1ST PRIZE £1000 171224
2ND PRIZE       169240
3RD PRIZE       170075
4TH PRIZE       167083
5TH PRIZE       161384

ALBION HAT TRICK
 
1ST £500 3617
2ND £50  3469
3RD £25  1972
1ST GOAL TIME 42 MINS