TARIQ KNOWS STATS THE WAY TO DO IT

IN a game dominated these days by numbers, Tariq Lamptey is heading for the top of the charts.

The Brighton full-back is gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in the top flight, with the stats showing he is getting forward more than his rivals and committing teams to fouling him.

Lamptey (above) was fouled 3.28 times on average in 90 minutes, which is higher than Wolves flier Adama Traore (2.10), who often starts as a wing-back.

The 20-year-old also comes out on top when it comes to dribbling, with an average of 4.82 runs past opponents in every game – better than Trent Alexander-arnold, Kyle Walker and Hector Bellerin.

Lamptey has already caught the eye of major European clubs, with Bayern Munich, Sevilla and Manchester City all watching his progress.

Brighton signed him in January in a bargain £3million deal from Chelsea, as the Londoner wanted to play regularly in the Premier League.

That decision has been rewarded with a string of excellent performances and also an England Under-21 call-up.

Having played in an Under-21s qualifier he has pledged his allegiance to the Thee Lions, despite being eligible for Ghana.

Brighton are keen to tie him down to a new contract but that is unlikely to happen quickly as Lamptey focuses on his football after quickly establishing himself in the top flight.

Brighton boss Graham Potter knows Lamptey may have more defending than usual to do today because of how highly he rates Tottenham’s attacking options.

Potter said: “Kane and Son are probably as good a partnership as there is at the moment in the Premier League.

“There are other players as well, and they have Gareth Bale coming back. I’m really impressed with them. They are as good as anybody I’ve seen this year.”

PREMIER LEAGUE

2020-21 stats per game Dribbles by defenders:

4.82 Tariq Lamptey

4.24 Kyle Walker

2.82 Hector Bellerin

2.41 Aaron Wan-bissaka

1.88 Trent Alex-arnold Cross accuracy %:

55.56 Jamal Lewis

46.15 Tariq Lamptey