JOSE MOURINHO’S Tottenham bounced back from a demoralising loss to Chelsea with a 2-1 win against Brighton on Boxing Day.
Fans may be pleased with the upturn from Spurs’ last game, yet this was almost a carbon copy of the previous underwhelming victory over Wolves.
Dele Alli continued his fine form with the winner on ThursdayCredit: Reuters
A fantastic effort curled across the face of goal won the gameCredit: PA:Press Association
Neither side took control of the game under the Tottenham Stadium drizzle in a typical lunchtime kick-off opening that Harry Kane finally attempted to inject life into after 24 minutes.
A cute ball over the top from Harry Winks set the offside England forward in and his calm finish past Mat Ryan was correctly knocked on the head by VAR.
Brighton, chasing an unprecedented double over Spurs, then led when Winks gave away a sloppy free-kick and Adam Webster buried the ball in.
A reply was not to be forthcoming until after the break when the hosts woke up, soon after Aaron Connolly headed over for the Seagulls from a great position.
Lucas Moura provided the necessary spark and two deflections, plus a rebound, provided the necessary good fortune to allow Kane a legal equaliser.
The momentum turned in Tottenham’s favour but Brighton remained a threat – Pascal Gross following up on his earlier assist with another free-kick that troubled Paulo Gazzaniga.
Kane fired in the leveller at the second time of askingCredit: AFP or licensors
The forward’s earlier goal was chalked off in a narrow VAR callCredit: Prime Video
But Dele Alli stole the show with a delightful 72nd minute winner.
Serge Aurier’s dart into the box teed up the midfielder who scooped the ball over Ryan and into the top corner for his fifth goal under Mourinho.
The win returned Spurs to the top-five ahead of the 3pm kick-offs with trips to Norwich, Southampton and Middlesbrough upcoming.
A fantastic Webster header had put Brighton aheadCredit: AFP or licensors
Jose Mourinho reveals his dog died on Christmas Day in emotional interview before Tottenham vs Brighton
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
