SPURS SLIP ON ROAD TO SEMI
Kane delivers but Poch’s men seem distracted by Cup
THE cavalry will return on Saturday and Tottenham need them back fast on the evidence of this performance.
This was always going to be an awkward clash with Brighton for Mauricio Pochettino with a crack at reaching the FA Cup final just three days away. The prospect of a semi-final can do funny things to footballers.
The Spurs manager insists securing a top-four finish in the Premier League remains the priority. And speaking after last night’s match, he did his utmost to dismiss suggestions his team had one eye on Wembley, but he was not fooling anyone.
A desire to end the club’s decade-long trophy drought was at the heart of Spurs’ failure to put Brighton to the sword, with Dele Alli and Davinson Sanchez left at home as Pochettino made six changes ahead of the semi-final against Manchester United.
Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld was brought in for his first Premier League appearance since October. It is likely, of course, that the centre back will find himself back in the wilderness this weekend, such is his diminished role as a result of a contract dispute.
‘Winning the FA Cup does not bring Champions League football, so I was thinking about today and trying to win,’ said Pochettino. ‘We played late on Saturday (against Manchester City), we assessed the players and some needed a rest. This was a moment to give fresh legs to the team.’
None of which should detract from Brighton’s spirited display. They have 36 points now and it would take a capitulation of epic proportions for them to be relegated. Even so, boss Chris Hughton warned: ‘It’s a step in the right direction, but I don’t think we are safe. We can’t afford to think like that.’
Tottenham’s changes disrupted their normal attacking fluency in the opening stages and a Christian Eriksen free-kick fired straight at the Brighton wall was all they had to show for their early possession.
If it had not been for Hugo Lloris’s agility, the home side could even taken the lead inside 20 minutes, Lewis Dunk and Anthony Knockaert forcing the Spurs captain into action.
Credit to Brighton, they were far from overawed. Perhaps they sensed Spurs were there for the taking, given Pochettino’s decision to rotate his team. Perhaps they sensed damage to Tottenham’s confidence following Saturday’s loss to City. Whatever it was, they looked full of belief in a vibrant opening.
Tottenham, on the other hand, looked short of ideas. Lucas Moura’s effort from distance was comfortably tipped over the bar by Maty Ryan, and that was the best they had to show for their first-half efforts.
However, Knockaert nearly undid Brighton’s hard work just before the break when his clumsy pass led to Spurs being awarded a free kick. This time Kane stepped up, but the England man slipped as he struck the ball, allowing Ryan to make a routine save.
There was nothing routine, though, about the Brighton goalkeeper’s stop from the final kick of the first half. Son Heung-min was played through by Kane and looked certain to put Spurs ahead, only for Ryan to conjure a brilliant save low to his left.
It was a warning of what was to follow as Tottenham took a 48th-minute lead. Inevitably, it was Kane (below) who fired home, despite Bruno’s valiant attempts to block. The striker was indebted to Son, who put the ball on a plate for him. He could also be grateful to Brighton’s Pascal Gross and Gaetan Bong, whose comedy of errors left the home defence horribly exposed.
That should have been the signal for Tottenham to cruise to victory, but Brighton had other ideas. Serge Aurier appeared to haul down Jose Izquierdo in the box and the Amex Stadium held its breath. Referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot.
The home crowd erupted in joy as Aurier protested, but replays showed the defender had pulled down Izquierdo with his hands.
Gross stepped up to fire home the penalty. Lloris got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out, and Brighton were level two minutes after falling behind.
Hughton clenched his fists in the technical area, while Pochettino was left pondering how his team could have been so careless.
Brighton defender Shane Duffy nearly turned into his own net on 72 minutes before Alderweireld fired into the side- netting as Brighton held on for a point. BRIGHTON (4-3-3): RYAN 7.5; Bruno 7, Duffy 7, Dunk 7, Bong 5.5; Gross 6.5, Stephens 7, Knockaert 7; Kayal 6.5, Murray 6.5 (Ulloa 74min, 6) Izquierdo 7 (March 77).
Subs not used: Krul, Baldock, Goldson, Schelotto, Locadia. Scorer: Gross 50 pen. Booked: Dunk.
Manager: Chris Hughton 7. TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6.5; Aurier 5, Alderweireld 6.5, Vertonghen 6.5, Davies 6.5; Wanyama 7, Sissoko 6.5 (Dembele 74, 6); Moura 7 (Lamela 74, 6), Eriksen 7, Son 6.5; Kane 6.5 (Llorente 85).
Subs not used: Vorm, Trippier, Dier, Foyth. Scorer: Kane 48. Booked: None.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 6.5. Referee: Kevin Friend 7.5.
Attendance: 30,440.