Football news - Tottenham grind out win at Brighton to end losing run

Harry Kane got back on the goal trail as Tottenham picked up a much-needed win with a 2-1 success at Brighton.

The England forward grabbed his first in five matches for club and country when he smashed home a 42nd minute penalty.

It paved the way for a hard-fought victory for Mauricio Pochettino's men as substitute Erik Lamela's clinical low finish 14 minutes from time put paid to Brighton's strong push for a second-half revival.

Anthony Knockaert thundered home in stoppage time, but it was too late to deny the Lilywhites.

The result sees Tottenham move up to fifth spot, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Brighton are 13th after suffering a first home loss since March.

Next up, Spurs host Watford in a midweek League Cup encounter before travelling to Huddersfield on Saturday. And it does not get any easier for Brighton as Chris Hughton's men face a tough league trip to champions Manchester City.

Spurs stop the rot. Tottenham kicked off with a sense of purpose and an intent to shut up their detractors. They had to be patient with plenty of their early dominance with the ball going unrewarded as Brighton worked hard to deny them space. In the end, Spurs' pressure told and they picked up the win they needed to put all the negative talk about a lack of summer signings and three straight defeats for the first time under Pochettino, to bed... for now.

The fact their talisman Kane got himself on the scoresheet and weathered a second-half storm against a side who enjoy facing the so-called 'big sides' on home turf were real positives. Kane looked brighter than in recent showings and was unlucky not to add to his tally when he was foiled by Matt Ryan on three occasions. At times it wasn't pretty, but Poch and Co won't care so long as this is the spring board to better things.

Danny Rose (Tottenham): A real threat down the left throughout. Provided a superb assist for Lamela, but will feel he got caught out late on for Knockaert's strike. The full back was one of a number of solid if unspectacular performers for the visitors.

Brighton: Ryan 7, Montoya 7, Duffy 7, Dunk 7, Bong 7, Stephens 6, Bissouma 6, March 7, Propper 6, Knockaert 7, Murray 6. Subs: Kayal 6, Jahanbakhsh 5, Locadia n/a.

Tottenham: Gazzaniga 7, Trippier 7, Alderweireld 7, Vertonghen 7, Rose 7, Dembele 6, Dier 6, Eriksen 6, Lucas Moura 6, Son 6, Kane 6. Subs: Lamela 7, Alli 5.

9' - BRIGHTON CHANCE. Ryan produces a super save to keep out Alderweireld's deflected header from a right-wing corner.

42' - GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Tottenham. Kane hammers a confident spot kick into the corner with Ryan diving the other way. The penalty was awarded after Trippier's free kick was handled by Murray in the Seagulls wall.

63' - BRIGHTON CHANCE. March picks it up 25 yards out from the half-cleared corner and unleashes a stinging shot that takes a deflection and flies just over.

66' - BRIGHTON CHANCE. Brighton carve Tottenham open. Knockaert is in acres on the left of the box and cuts inside his man, but then fires straight at Gazzaniga.

76' - GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Tottenham. It's two! Lamela coolly tucks home a first-time strike from Rose's smart cut back.

90' - TOTTENHAM CHANCE. Kane drives into the left of the box but sees another thumping shot beaten away by Ryan. The

90+3' - GOAL! Brighton 1-2 Tottenham. Kane with another surge into the box, but Ryan again denies him. Brighton immediately break. A long ball to the right finds Knockaert, who cuts inside and rifles home.

Kane has now scored 143 goals for Spurs. He is now level with Jermain Defoe as Tottenham's fifth highest goal scorer of all time.

Kane has scored more penalties than any other player in the Premier League since the start of the 2015-16 season (13 penalties).

Lamela has scored four goals in his last four league appearances for Spurs, as many as he had in his previous 58 combined.