Closer to Salah

fouled the England man as he tried to make up for his own potentially disastrous back-pass.

And the Australia goalkeeper did even better with a fine diving save to his left as Son’s shot seemed certain to find the bottom corner.

Spurs needed only three minutes of the second half to take the lead and Brighton presented them with the goal.

Bong’s attempted clearance was blocked by Aurier and Son was on to the loose ball in a flash, beating Dunk along the goalline on the right and setting up Kane for a shot that went in off Bruno.

But Brighton did not cave in and equalised two minutes later.

Aurier was judged, perhaps harshly, to have tripped Izquierdo as he ran on to Glenn Murray’s flick only 18 seconds after the kick-off and Gross, taking over the penalty duties from Murray, who had his last effort from the spot saved, hit his shot low past the right hand of Lloris. Although that levelled the score, Tottenham remained far ahead in possession and threat.

Brighton tried to press but found the ball passed around them. It was a case of kicking the ball anywhere and Duffy was especially lucky not to turn the ball into his own net.

Brighton replaced Murray with Leonardo Ulloa and the former Leicester striker provided a welcome outlet for the hardpressed defence by winning virtually every aerial challenge and combining with lively fellow substitute Solly March to take the momentum out of the visitors’ late push for a winner.

BRIGHTON (4-4-1-1):

Booked: NEXT UP: TOTTENHAM Goal: Referee: (4-2-3-1): Goal: NEXT UP:

Main picture: JOHN WALTON TAKE AIM: Kane fires in with menace to open the scoring for Spurs SPOT ON: Gross makes no mistake after Aurier is adjudged to have fouled Izquierdo ARM’S LENGTH: Pochettino is left frustrated by Brighton’s feisty fightback