Thomas Frank cut a bedraggled figure, hair drenched by the drizzle, but the Tottenham boss would have left Sussex with a warm glow of satisfaction.
His Spurs team is finding its balance. He is learning new things about them all the time and here came the reassurance that they are up for a fight.
Despite going two goals down shortly after the half-hour mark, Frank’s team persisted and managed to draw level, thanks to an own goal by Jan Paul van Hecke in the 82nd minute, even though they had dominated possession throughout.
Aside from their never-quit attitude leading to the draw, Frank likely took joy in watching his team maintain belief in their approach. They set a lively pace, controlled the ball, executed incisive runs from central positions, and utilized their key players in impactful areas.
This was a sharp contrast to their poor performance in this fixture last season, where they let a 2-0 lead slip in the second half, hinting at their pattern throughout that Premier League season where strong starts faded into weak finishes.
Thomas Frank’s team showed much needed resilience as they fought back at Brighton
Frank praised the outing as their ‘most complete’ performance of the season. ‘Very happy,’ he asserted. ‘Resilience, mentality, so important. We kept at it, stuck to the game plan, and we appeared physically strong despite having played a midweek game.’
Quality Kudus
Mohamed Kudus consistently troubled Brighton left back Ferdi Kadioglu. As the standout attacking player, closely matched by Yakuba Minteh, Kudus contributed to both of Tottenham’s goals.
The first goal emerged when Kudus’s shot inadvertently reached Richarlison, who scored from six yards, while the equalizer stemmed from Kudus’s precise cross from the right with his left foot, delivered at pace.
It caused problems for Van Hecke, who lost the flight as Palhinha ran across his eyeline with Lewis Dunk in pursuit. The Spurs midfielder tried and failed to get a head on it and the ball struck Van Hecke and deflected past Bart Vergbruggen.
Mohamed Kudus was the best player on the pitch and reminded Brighton what they’re missing
Kudus was close to joining Brighton when he left Ajax in 2023. They had a deal agreed when gazumped by West Ham. Ajax offered to honour the deal if Kudus wanted to move to the Amex, but he opted for the Hammers.
Here was further proof if needed that the Brighton recruitment department can spot talent.
Simons for No.10…
Xavi Simons made his first two Spurs appearances playing off the left but the Netherlands international looked much more at home here in a central position behind Richarlison.
Simons had a terrific impact with three efforts at goal in quick succession after coming on with his team 2-1 down in the 61st minute, and helped turn up the pressure on Brighton.
He wasn’t as clinical as he might have been. Two of the shots missed the target but one forced a fine save from Verbruggen. Frank says he can play in either position, but he looked much more natural in this role with a hint more freedom to roam.
Xavi Simons made his case for playing in a freer role in the No 10 position
Vulnerable at the back…
For all these positives and Destiny Udogie’s impressive display on his first start of the season there were concerns at the back. Brighton opened Tottenham up easily on the break in the first half.
Brighton’s opener was a classic counterattack, scored by Minteh bursting clear onto a pass by Georginio Rutter. It was very close to being offside.
The second goal was a mistake by Guglielmo Vicario, who misjudged a sweet strike from an angle by Yasin Ayari, to compound a poor pass out of a defensive area by Lucas Bergvall.
Frank can take credit for solving this at half time. In the second half Spurs took control and did not have the same issues on the counterattack.
Baleba hangover…
Fabian Hurzeler replaced Carlos Baleba at half time because he was ‘tired’ and admitted we could be seeing the after-effects of Manchester United’s interest on the 21-year-old midfielder.
‘For sure when a young boy reads there’s interest from Man United, a big-big offer, it might affect him deep down even if he’s saying it doesn’t,’ said Hurzeler. ‘It’s also part of the development to understand when you play well there comes a big offer from a big club.
‘He is a young boy and we need to understand he’s not a machine you turn on and he always runs and turn off and he stops. We need to understand his feelings and emotions and where he comes from. That’s my job.’
