Analysis: Brighton

Chris Hughton named an unchanged side from the XI that drew 2-2 away at Southampton in their previous fixture. They continued in their 4-1-4-1 structure, with lone centre forward Glenn Murray leading the line in attack.

Brighton saw little of the ball in the opening exchanges, with target man Murray extremely isolated in between Tottenham’s double pivot and central defensive pairing. This box of players ensured that even if Murray won the first contact, any loose balls were calmly collected by the visitors’ back line. Defensively, they prioritised blocking off central access into Harry Kane, but the England international’s rotations with Son Heung-min ensured he could actively link the play – particularly with right-back Kieran Trippier.

When in possession, Brighton looked to the dribbling capability of Anthony Knockaert to lure fouls within the Tottenham half. This created opportunities for centre-backs Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk to join Murray in attacking direct free-kicks into the penalty area. Goalkeeper Mat Ryan favoured the direct ball, too, and Murray soon began to move away from Spurs’ central defensive box and into the wide areas. The 34-year-old could then isolate the away side’s diminutive full-backs and flick the first ball into a midfield teammate. The hosts eventually sent their entire team over to the areas surrounding Murray to increase their chances of winning the second ball – but despite this showing signs of initial success, difficulty in creating passing combinations meant they struggled with the next phase of their attack.

While they remained compact and defensively aware throughout the first half, opportunities to counter-attack from deep were limited. Solly March and Knockaert were often too deep to create any momentum from their wide midfield positions, as they were charged with tracking the runs of full-backs. They consequently lacked width and numbers during breakouts, allowing their opponents to eventually regain possession in midfield.

With Kane’s penalty giving Spurs the lead just before half-time, Brighton reacted by increasing the intensity of their press as the second period got under way. Murray – supported by March, Knockaert and Davy Propper – stepped high on to the visitors’ back line, who continued to build short from goal kicks. Tottenham played with composure against this aggression, though, comfortably building around high-pressing attackers and driving at a more exposed midfield and central defence. If it wasn’t for outstanding recovery runs and slow decision-making from Spurs in progressing the ball forward, Ryan might have been busier in the Seagulls’ goal.

The hosts remained loyal to their approach of looking for Murray from deep, but were also afforded the luxury of bringing March and Knockaert into the game more during transitions and open play. Trippier at right-back had notably become far less aggressive with his positioning in the second half, reducing the defensive work March needed to carry out. March could now maintain a much higher starting position, so when possession was regained on the left side he could spin and receive in behind Trippier. Brighton enjoyed some success with this approach, as the winger’s crosses created chances for attackers and won a number of corners.

Their intensity soon faded, however, as the visitors regained control of the ball through long spells of possession – and Spurs eventually doubled their lead after a sweeping passing move from deep was finished off by substitute Erik Lamela.

Brighton saw little of the ball in the final 10 minutes, with Tottenham dominating possession to run down the clock. They did manage to grab one back with seconds remaining – Knockaert ran on to a long pass from deep before cutting back inside from the right and bending his shot into the far corner – but it was ultimately too little, too late for the hosts.