Report, result and goals as Spurs fight back to earn deserved point

Tottenham battled back from two goals down to rescue a draw against Brighton in a thrilling Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls struck first after early Spurs pressure when Georginio Rutter picked out Yankuba Minteh, who beat the offside trap and calmly rounded goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to slot home after just eight minutes. VAR confirmed Cristian Romero had kept him onside.

Brighton then doubled their lead on the half-hour mark. Yasin Ayari found space on the left-hand edge of the box, opted to shoot from distance, and his low strike crept past Vicario at the far post.

The Italian shot-stopper got a hand to it but will feel he should have done better.

Spurs gave themselves hope just before the break. A Brighton error in midfield allowed the visitors to counter, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert all involved in the build-up before Richarlison bundled the ball past Bart Verbruggen at the second attempt.

Remarkably, all three of the Brazilian’s goals this season have been assisted by Kudus.

At half-time, Brighton led 2-1, but the numbers suggested it was closer: Spurs had more of the ball (63%) and led on xG (0.97 vs 0.86).

The second half began with both sides attacking, though Spurs gradually piled on the pressure. Manager Thomas Frank turned to his bench, bringing on Xavi Simons, who quickly made an impact with several dangerous efforts and incisive passes.

One curling shot whistled narrowly wide of the far post.

With under 10 minutes left, Spurs found their equaliser. Kudus once again did the damage, cutting onto his left foot and delivering a teasing cross. Joao Palhinha looked set to meet it, but the ball instead deflected cruelly off Jan Paul van Hecke and flew past Verbruggen for 2-2.

The closing stages were frantic. Brighton pushed forward again, and Spurs almost snatched a dramatic winner when Kudus’ late strike took a deflection and flew just over the bar.

But it ended all square in the pouring rain on the South Coast.

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