JuicyTalk
For a short spell at the Amex on Saturday, Tottenham supporters might have feared the familiar tag of inconsistency was about to resurface.
Despite beginning the season strongly and controlling much of the early play against Brighton, Spurs somehow found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening half-hour.
Given that this was the same stadium where, less than a year ago, they let a two-goal lead slip in a 3-2 defeat, the situation carried an all-too-familiar sense of déjà vu.
This time, though, Tottenham steadied themselves and clawed their way back. Richarlison struck to halve the deficit, and Jan Paul van Hecke’s own goal ensured Thomas Frank’s side left the South Coast with a point.
In truth, Spurs created enough opportunities to feel they should have claimed all three.
The comeback was significant in another respect too: it was the first time in three years that Tottenham avoided defeat in a league away fixture after falling behind by two or more goals, ending a run of 15 consecutive losses in such situations. That resilience hinted at a shift in mindset under Frank.
“I think this is our best performance of the season,” the Spurs manager told BBC Match of the Day.
“I actually think that overall, if there should have been a winner, it should have been us.
“So many crosses into the box, near chances, missed opportunities. We were physically strong and mentally strong, and that is so important if you want to achieve something.”
A tougher Tottenham?
Following their 1-0 Champions League victory against Villarreal earlier in the week, midfielder Lucas Bergvall praised the squad’s “clean-sheet mentality,” with that shutout being their fourth in the opening five fixtures.
But when Brighton struck twice early on at the weekend, Tottenham’s defensive resolve was tested in a different way.
Instead of collapsing, they showed determination to fight back, a notable departure from their history of struggling in such scenarios.
“The mentality that we showed, I was so impressed with,” Frank reflected.
“[We showed] the mentality to stay in the game, to keep going, to keep pushing and come back and get a well deserved 2-2.”
Midfielder Joao Palhinha echoed that view when speaking to Sky Sports: “At least what we can take is the mentality that we had fighting for the result.”
He continued: “This mentality needs to be there always regardless of the result.”
The statistics backed up Tottenham’s dominance: 45 touches inside Brighton’s penalty area compared to just 17 for the hosts.
Spurs also registered 11 attempts at goal, although only three were on target – a reminder that chance creation and finishing still require refinement.
Palhinha admitted there is work ahead: “There are a lot of things for this team to keep improving. But these improvements have come week by week.”
