- Albion succumb to a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
- Stefan Vukoje on target
- Carl Rushworth saves a second-half penalty
- The Seagulls travel to Manchester United on Monday night
Brighton & Hove Albion's under-18s were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre on Saturday.
Stefan Vukoje had got the side back on level terms following Troy Parrott’s first-half opener, before further goals from Rodel Richards, J’Neil Bennett and Parrott once more gave the away side the victory.
The table-topping visitors took the lead after nine minutes when Parrott rose highest to head home Harvey White’s cross in from the left-hand side.
Mark Beard and Mikey Harris’s men soon got themselves back on level terms in the 24th minute through Vukoje.
Having seen two efforts blocked in quick succession, the Albion man took aim from the edge of the area and curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner to level the scores.
No sooner had the Seagulls drawn themselves level, Tottenham retook the lead. Bennett crossed from the left and Richards was on-hand to put the North London side back ahead.
Danny Cashman forced the visiting keeper into a smart stop soon after, but the hosts went in one goal down at the interval.
Laurent Tolaj missed an opportunity to bring Albion level once more after the break, before Spurs got a third on 64 minutes.
Armando Shashoua entered the action and found Parrott, and despite Carl Rushworth’s smart stop in the Albion goal, Bennett swept home the rebound.
The Seagulls’ stopper then saved a penalty from White to keep the home side in with a chance of getting something from the contest, before Julien Carre saw red moments later to strengthen Spurs’ grip on the game.
Parrott got his second and Tottenham’ fourth three minutes from time when he capped a move involving both Paris Maghoma and Shashoua.
The Seagulls face Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup on Monday evening, kick-off 7pm.
ALBION: Rushworth (GK); Tamimows, Lopata, Cocoracchib (Weaire 73), Tutt (Packham 64); Wilson (Leonard 64), Carre, Spong, Vukoje; Cashman, Tolaj.
SUBS NOT USED: Rees (GK) Shihab.