Brighton 4-2 Tottenham (Hinshelwood 11′, Joao Pedro 23′ pen, 75′ pen, Estpuninan 63′ | Veliz 81′, Davies 85′)
AMEX STADIUM – Inspired by the excellent Joao Pedro, Brighton signed off for the year by overwhelming a Tottenham side whose frantic late rally could not disguise the fact they were second best by a margin.
From the moment teenage full-back Jack Hinshelwood drilled home the opening goal, Roberto De Zerbi’s side were in control and on course for victory. Pedro capped an outstanding display with two expertly taken penalties either side of Pervis Estupinan’s long range third.
Spurs finally came to life when Alejo Veliz replied in the 81st minute, followed by a Ben Davies header five minutes later. The nine minutes of added time was unnecessarily nervy for De Zerbi and his players, while for Ange Postecoglou, the final period of the game only highlighted his frustration at the performance of his players earlier in the evening.
Both managers had spoken before the game about the impact of lengthy injury lists on their squad but while De Zerbi could draw plenty of positives from his reshaped side’s performance, Postecoglou was given more cause for concern and will no doubt be even keener to do business in the January transfer window.
There was an alarming frailty to the Tottenham defence, particularly on the right where Pedro Porro was unable to handle the threat of Pedro who was the architect of Brighton’s 11th minute opening goal.
Pedro cut in from the left flank, drawing a number of Spurs defenders before finding Hinshelwood. The full-back made the most of the space he had been given to drive a superbly struck effort into the roof of the net.
Struggling to contain the home side, the last thing Spurs needed to do was help Brighton double their lead. But that’s exactly what Dejan Kulusevski contrived to do when Danny Welbeck attempted to volley a loose ball after Jan Paul van Hecke headed against the post from Pascal Gross’s corner.
The Spurs winger pulled at Welbeck’s shirt and, after being advised to review the incident by VAR, referee Jarred Gillett awarded a penalty that was calmly converted by Pedro. To add to Postecoglou’s growing list of problems, Kulusevski was shown his fifth yellow card of the season for the foul, ruling hm out of Sunday’s meeting with Bournemouth.
Brighton might have extended their lead with Milner sending a curling shot against the post and Vicario again denying Pedro after the forward had been sent clear by a misplaced Porro pass.
There had been few signs Spurs were capable of working their way back into the game before Richarlison’s first time shot was deflected onto the post in first half added time. And they managed to at least develop some sense of momentum early in the second half with the Brazil forward again coming close.
But Postecoglou’s side’s failure to pay closer attention to Estupinan from a corner allowed the left-back to drill a swerving, dipping 25-yard shot beyond Guglielmo Vicario into the top corner in the 63rd minute.
Player of the match: Joao Pedro
Gave the Tottenham defence a torrid time, capping his performance with two assured penalties.
What a hit from Estupiñán!
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 28, 2023
On his first game back from injury, the Ecuadorian scores a screamer!#PLonPrime #BHATOT pic.twitter.com/c2ZbDh6gpt
Ten minutes later Pedro again sent Vicario the wrong way after Evan Ferguson was brought down by Giovani Lo Celso.
With the game apparently over Spurs finally woke up. Veliz struck from close range in the 81st minute and Davies headed a second five minutes late. The response though, had come too late.
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