Five things we learned from Tottenham 2-2 Brighton after 95th-minute heartbreak
Tottenham Hotspur’s 111-day wait for a Premier League win continues after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser to Brighton that leaves them rooted in the relegation zone.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:
Better from Tottenham but it’s too late for just better
It was undoubtedly a positive performance from Tottenham, but that will do little to console the Spurs faithful. The time for ‘better’, and ‘positives to take’, and ‘incredible effort’ was back in February. The only currency Tottenham can afford to deal in now is points and wins. Five more ‘better’ performances will not keep the Lilywhites in the Premier League. A few wins will.
Spurs were literally one clearance from Kevin Danso away from all three points this evening – three points that would have taken them up into 16th and could have sparked a revival. As it stands, Tottenham have to pick themselves up, go again, and make the Wolves game their winning spark instead.
Where does that leave Spurs in the table?
Tottenham remain in the bottom three despite the fact that West Ham and Nottingham Forest haven’t even played yet this weekend. To make matters worse, Forest are at home to 19th-place Burnley, and West Ham face a Crystal Palace who were distracted with a huge European win in mid-week. A win over Brighton would have taken Spurs up to 16th on 33 points with a goal difference of -10.
Although that would have been a positive marker and a step in the right direction, you suspect both West Ham and Forest would have had a good chance of leapfrogging once again thanks to their kind fixtures. Without that win as a buffer, Tottenham now risk falling four behind the Hammers and five behind Forest if both claim all three points in the next 48 hours. Put your Burnley and Palace hats on, Spurs fans!
Xavi Simons, Yves Bissouma, and Rodrigo Bentancur star
Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur were both thrown back into the Tottenham starting XI against Brighton, and both looked head and shoulders above what we have seen in recent weeks in the Spurs midfield. You suspect both will be nailed on to start against Wolves, despite the superb form of Archie Gray. Unfortunately, due to a severe lack of minutes in 2026, both players tired in the second half. Spurs will hope their fitness will improve over the coming weeks, and the wins (fingers crossed) could follow.
Xavi Simons also showcased his (almost) match-winning ability, highlighting the strange fact that he has been absent from the Tottenham starting XI since his Champions League brace. You suspect he will play almost every minute between now and the end of the season after his screamer and generally positive performance against Brighton. Spurs need more creativity and players who are willing to run through brick walls, and Simons does both.
It is also worth noting that De Zerbi got the best out of Conor Gallagher by playing to his strengths. The Spurs boss played the 26-year-old further up the pitch, almost alongside Solanke at times. This took the focus away from Gallagher’s ability to pick a pass between the lines and instead shone a light on his greatest strength, his pressing. The English midfielder hassled and harried the Brighton defence all day long – effort we have rarely seen from Tottenham midfielders of late – and it paid off in a big way for the Lilywhites. Gallagher almost even scored a goal of his own simply by chasing down a sluggish Verbruggen. Once again, you can expect to see him in the number 10 again next weekend.
Roberto De Zerbi chooses his Tottenham captain
With Cristian Romero out for the season, all eyes were on who De Zerbi would name as his new Spurs captain. However, the Italian didn’t throw up any surprises by handing the armband to Micky Van de Ven, who has regularly deputised for Romero this season amidst his litany of suspensions and injuries. The long-term problem for De Zerbi is that neither will probably be at the club come next season.
James Maddison back on the Tottenham bench
You suspect that James Maddison’s inclusion on the Tottenham bench was more symbolic than anything else today. I doubt very much that De Zerbi ever planned to actually use the England midfielder. However, his comments about saving Maddison for ‘one more match’ rather than risking injury now seem rather interesting. At the time, many assumed it was just a figure of speech, and Maddison would require a few extra weeks of training to get back fit and healthy enough to make a matchday squad. But, with him making the bench against Brighton, could we see him get a few minutes next time out vs Wolves?
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