Spurs up to fourth after Aurier fluke steals show
TOTTENHAM beat Brighton to make it three wins in seven days at Wembley but a sense of belonging still eludes their players and supporters. A goal ahead through Serge Aurier’s lucky strike, they decided to engage in an exercise of keep-ball midway through the second half. As the ball moved back towards the halfway line once more, a familiar sense of distress overcame supporters. In a rare moment of dissent towards manager Mauricio Pochettino, the fans grunted and growled, anguished by their side’s slow tempo. Their unease may have proved prescient, particularly if Brighton forward Tomer Hemed had been more clinical when presented with a shooting opportunity inside Tottenham’s area 20 minutes from time. As it was, Hugo Lloris responded and Tottenham saw this through to go fourth in the table, although it was only in the 88th minute when they could finally relax, as Son Heung-min headed the second goal from Christian Eriksen’s curling free-kick. But this was yet another occasion where Tottenham made heavy weather of their work and only a stroke of fortune broke through the Brighton rearguard. Aurier wrongfooted Jose Izquierdo with a smart piece of footwork on the right flank and earned his half a yard of space. He whipped in a cross, taking a blow from Izquierdo in doing so, but the ball looped up and over Mat Ryan in the Brighton goal. The Ivorian defender did not intend to shoot and it was hard to blame the goalkeeper, who was primed to respond to a conventional cross. Yet in one lucky swish, this game moved beyond Brighton’s grasp. The story of Tottenham’s Premier League season has too often been one of frustration and anguish in these surroundings. Tottenham have dropped points against Burnley, Swansea and West Bromwich at Wembley, while they only edged past Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in single goal victories. Their next task? Mission Impossible: a visit to Pep Guardiola’s high-flying Manchester City. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6; Aurier 6.5, Dier 6, Vertonghen 6, Rose 6; Sissoko 6, Winks 7 (Dembele 66min, 6); LAMELA 7.5 (Alli 74, 6), Eriksen 6, Son 6 (Davies 90); Kane 6. Subs not used: Vorm, Trippier, Llorente, Foyth. Scorers: Aurier 40, Son 88. Booked: Rose. Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 6.5. BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION (4-5-1): Ryan 6; Schelotto 5.5, Duffy 6.5, Dunk 6, Bong 5.5; Knockaert 6.5, Stephens 6, Propper 6, Kayal 5.5 (Gross 78), Izquierdo 5 (March 62, 6); Hemed 5 (Murray 72, 5). Subs not used: Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Brown. Booked: Knockaert. Manager: Chris Hughton 6. Referee: Bobby Madley 6.5.