Tue | Dec 24, 2024

Brighton heap misery on Spurs

Published:Monday | February 1, 2021 | 12:24 AM
Brighton’s Leandro Trossard (left) celebrates after scoring the lone goal during an English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, England yesterday.
AP
Brighton’s Leandro Trossard (left) celebrates after scoring the lone goal during an English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, England yesterday.

BRIGHTON, England (AP):

Tottenham struggled without the creativity and cutting edge of injured striker Harry Kane in a 1-0 loss at Brighton yesterday, leaving Jose Mourinho’s team six points off the English Premier League’s top four.

Leandro Trossard scored the winner for fourth-from-last Brighton in the 17th minute, side-footing home a finish from inside the area after a cut-back from the right by Pascal Gross. It was Brighton’s first home win in 15 league games dating back to June 2020.

Kane was missing after injuring both ankles in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Thursday, and his absence — for a “few weeks”, Mourinho said — could be crucial in Tottenham’s bid to keep in touch with their rivals for UEFA Champions League qualification.

“In the first half, I felt the team was probably too sad with the goal conceded and the situation,” Mourinho said. “There was a lack of energy. In the last 25, 30 minutes, they gave everything, but, of course, with some limitations.

“The boys showed great spirit in the second half, and the boys showed they are suffering, and they tried to fight against that sadness.”

Gareth Bale replaced Kane in the Spurs attack for his first start in 12 weeks, but the on-loan Real Madrid forward squandered possession regularly and looked off the pace before being substituted in the 61st minute.

Tottenham have won only three of their last 13 league games without Kane.

Brighton were the likelier scorer of a second goal at Amex Stadium, with Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld needing to produce a sliding block near his goal line to clear a goal-bound shot from substitute Aaron Connolly in the final minutes.

Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister also hit the post in the first half for Brighton, who moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham stayed sixth, ahead of Chelsea and Everton on goal difference. Chelsea travel to Tottenham for a league match on Thursday.

Yesterday’s EPL scores

Chelsea 2-0 Burnley

Leicester 1-3 Leeds

West Ham 1-3 Liverpool

Brighton 1-0 Tottenham