Spurs grind out hard-earned victory away to Brighton
Brighton, who starred at Anfield in a 3-3 draw under new boss Roberto De Zerbi started with intent in a battle of two teams sitting in the PL’s top four.
The host’s have enjoyed their football recently, and had already equalled their best seven-game opening to a PL season (W4, D2, L1) but it was Tottenham who grew more dominant after the early exchanges.
Despite this, it wasn’t until 20 minutes in that Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sánchez (24) was truly tested, when Rodrigo Bentancur (25) struck powerfully from 20 yards.
Just minutes later however, Harry Kane (29) would head in from Son Heung-min’s cross, marking goals for the England international in four consecutive PL games and handing his side a deserved lead in the process.
An intense 25 minutes ensued, which bore witness to numerous full-blooded tackles from a hungry Spurs side looking to impress Conte’s trademark physical approach on the game, while Brighton were mostly limited to long-range efforts before the HT whistle blew.
The hosts started the second period positively, taking charge of the ball, as Tottenham dropped deep and looked to unleash Son on the break. Chances before the hour-mark were few and far between for both sides however, with Spurs regaining their footings quickly and taking the sting out of Brighton’s advances.
The visitors would continue to create openings from deep as the half wore on, and Kane threatened his brace throughout the second half, with the striker spurning a golden opportunity after dragging his shot from 12 yards across the goal.
Son saw a goal ruled out in the closing stages for offside as Brighton pushed up the pitch and left themselves vulnerable to the counter.
On a difficult day for the Seagulls, they struggled to match their attacking outputs from last weekend, with Anfield hat-trick hero Leandro Trossard unable to influence the result as Tottenham saw out a victory that solidifies their top-four position in relative comfort.
