A fantastic late strike from Christian Eriksen rescued Tottenham Hotspur and gave them a vital 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday evening.
Spurs dominated large swathes of the game but they were unable to find a way past a determined Brighton side.
Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy defended manfully and threw their bodies in the way of everything Spurs could muster.
Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Dele Alli(2R) has an attempt saved by Brighton's Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (2L) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur
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However, Eriksen decided the game in the final minutes as he picked up the ball from Dele Alli and launched an unstoppable shot low into Mat Ryan’s bottom left corner.
The result moves Spurs three points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and four and six points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.
TALKING POINT
29 shots from Spurs. Only five on target. And 78% possession too – if it wasn’t for a sprinkle of Eriksen magic, we could be talking about a huge missed opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
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But it’s three points, another clean sheet at their new home, and takes them one step closer to next season’s Champions League, regardless of what happens in Europe.
They missed Harry Kane, that much was obvious, and made more so when Vincent Janssen came on for his first Spurs in 20 appearances, but they got the job done – just.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lewis Dunk (Brighton) – On the losing side, but Dunk was an absolute rock alongside Shane Duffy at centre-back for the visitors. They kept Spurs at bay for 88 minutes, and Dunk was there time and time again with last-ditch clearances and blocks. Very nearly the perfect away performance.
Lewis Dunk of Brighton and Hove Albion looks dejected following his sides defeat in the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.
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PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham: Lloris 6, Rose 6, Trippier 6, Alderweireld 6, Vertonghen 7, Wanyama 6, Eriksen 7, Alli 5, Moura 6, Son 5, Llorente 5. Subs: Janssen 6, Davies N/A, Foyth N/A.
Brighton: Ryan 7, Bernardo 7, Duffy 8, Dunk 8, Stephens 7, Bissouma 7, Montoya 6, Gross 6, Jahanbakhsh 6, Locadia 6, Andone 6. Subs: Murray 6, March 6, Kayal N/A.
KEY MOMENTS
10’ - CLOSE! Eriksen tries his luck from 25 yards out. It's a low strike and Alli looks to flick it into the opposite corner, but he can't quite get a touch on the ball as it bounces wide.
34’ - WHAT A BLOCK! Dunk has had a terrific game so far, and he somehow gets a vital touch near his own goal-line to prevent Moura finding Alli with Ryan beaten.
45+1’ - SO CLOSE! Alli brings the ball down superbly and his stabbed effort takes a slight touch off goalkeeper Ryan before Duffy blocks it on the line. Ryan they gratefully clutches onto the ball and Brighton survive.
67’ - SAVE! Closest Spurs have come this half and it's Rose from distance, but Ryan is there to parry it into the air before claiming it at the second time of asking.
73’ - OFF THE POST! How's your's luck? It's a quality couple of touches from Alderweireld to set himself on the edge of the area, and as he shoots on the turn his effort hits the inside of the post before Brighton clear the following cross.
88’ - GOAL! Eriksen to the rescue! With two minutes left, the Brighton barrier is breached. The Dane fires a low strike past Ryan from distance and it's joy for the hosts, heartbreak for the visitors.
KEY STAT
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