Tottenham’s four-match winning run ended in untimely fashion as a lacklustre performance saw them leave the field to jeers following a shock 1-0 defeat to Brighton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Antonio Conte’s side went into the game with a three-point advantage over Arsenal in fourth spot and seeking their sixth win in seven games. However, they struggled to get going during the early exchanges.
They eventually started applying some pressure without creating anything too meaningful.
Indeed, the first solid opening of the match fell to Enock Mwepu, whose first-time volley was heading goalwards only to be blocked by Ben Davies.
Spurs were forunate not to go down to 10 men when a frustrated Dejan Kulusevski swung a wild elbow in the direction of Marc Cucurella.
Tottenham dangerman Harry Kane finally had a sighter of goal as the game reached the reached the 38-minute mark. However, the chance was quickly snuffed out by the lively Cucurella before he cut pull the trigger.
Mwepu was quickly in the thick of it again. Having already been cautioned, he was fortunate to escape a red after two resulting fouls. That resulted in referee Craig Pawson giving the player a final warning.
That was the final action of the half, with a lacklustre Spurs leaving the field to boos.
Wisely, Seagulls boss Graham Potter withdrew Mwepu at half-time with Danny Welbeck coming on in his place.
Spurs picked up the tempo far quicker as the second half got underway. Indeed, a long-throw from Kane, of all people, picked out Heung-min Son, with his acrobatics resulting in a shot being blocked.
Tottenham fail to find winning formula
Kane then saw another opening snuffed out as the game began to open up.
And at the other end, Moises Caceido took a touch too many as he wasted an opportunity to launch a shot at goal.
Alexis Macallister then rifled a shot over the bar as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg lost possession in midfield.
Spurs brought on Lucas Moura and Harry Winks for Kulusevski and…