Pervis Estupinan’s screamer from distance and two penalties from Joao Pedro helped injury-struck Brighton hold off a similarly patched-up Tottenham at the AMEX Stadium on Thursday night.
Jack Hinshelwood thumped the Seagulls in front before Joao Pedro converted from the penalty spot after Dejan Kulusevski pulled Danny Welbeck’s shirt in the box.
Substitute Estupinan’s third Premier League goal gave Brighton an insurmountable lead in the 63rd minute, with the visitors unable to make the most of their forays into the final third while struggling without a recognised centre-back in defence.
Giovani Lo Celso’s foul on Evan Ferguson allowed Pedro to convert his second penalty, but there was enough time for Spurs to send some nerves shooting through the home fans as 20-year-old Alejo Veliz scored his first ever Premier League goal in the 81st minute.
Ben Davies headed in another from Pedro Porro’s cross, but Brighton’s lead proved too big and they held off the late surge from the Londoners to take all three points.
How the game unfolded
Both sides are in the midst of injury crises but an open game was almost guaranteed in the first ever managerial meeting between Roberto De Zerbi and Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs started well from kick-off but Brighton soon began peppering Guglielmo Vicario’s goal, with the Italian needed to save Welbeck’s curler before denying the striker again with a more eye-catching stop from eight yards out.
The depleted Tottenham defence was breached in the 11th minute by a second Premier League goal for Hinshelwood. Pedro drifted in-field and held off defenders well before finding the 18-year-old, who blasted his shot centrally but with too much power for Vicario to repel.
The hosts were gifted a chance to make it 2-0 seconds after hitting the woodwork. Jan Paul van Hecke’s header struck the post and Welbeck was denied a clean effort at goal as Kulusevski grabbed a chunk of the former Arsenal forward’s shirt. It was picked up on review and Joao Pedro confidently rolled in the penalty, Vicario diving in the opposite direction.
Spurs’ bright start had been well and truly snuffed out on the south coast, falling two goals behind as Brighton pressed and hounded the visitors. Veteran James Milner nearly scored his first goal for the Seagulls but saw his pop from outside the area rebound off the post.
Ange Postecoglou’s side threatened in behind but couldn’t capitalise in the first 45 minutes, with Brennan Johnson losing momentum when through on goal before…
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