Tottenham squeezed past a valiant Brighton side to pick up a crucial three points amid a busy festive fixture list.
A first-half goal from Adam Webster had given the visitors a well-earned half-time lead, and left Spurs with plenty of work to do after the break.
But the Lilywhites came roaring back, courtesy of goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli, and will be mightily relieved to have come away with the win.
Let's head back to the beginning...
Tottenham were forced in to making a pretty big change before kick-off with Son Heung-Min serving a three-match suspension. Many thought it would result in the return to the lineup for Christain Eriksen, but oh no, in came Ryan Sessegnon for his first start.
Big call Mr. Mourinho....
Sessegnon over Eriksen wow.
— (@nathiscorrupted) December 26, 2019
Sessegnon starting over Eriksen
— ً (@Jorgi5i) December 26, 2019
After consulting the VAR, referee Graham Scott has overturned the goal because Harry Kane was offside
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2019
Spurs 0-0 Brighton (26 mins) #TOTBHA https://t.co/OMpzh2bn6Q
Come on Kane mate, have a shave get that armpit onside ffs #TOTBHA #VAR
— Lewis Whitehead (@LWhitehead92) December 26, 2019
Seems to me that Harry Kane is not offside. VAR you pile of shit #TOTBHA pic.twitter.com/7Y7Z7PJ0Ge
— Brad (@brad_nb) December 26, 2019
Adam Webster grabbing his second goal in four games with a towering header that, once again, highlighted Tottenham's weaknesses at the back.
Great header from Adam Webster. Spurs have been poor again
— Jack Toulson (@JackToulson12) December 26, 2019
Yesss Webster, great header #TOTBHA
— AllThingsFootball (@TheFinalWhistl3) December 26, 2019
Poor defending from spurs
— Julien (@DjemaK20) December 26, 2019
The second-half started in much the same vein as the first, but Spurs didn't take long to equalise. Seven minutes after the restart and Kane had his goal...and there was no doubt about this one.
1-1 Very lucky goal by Kane, but we are equal. Time be more creative and grab the winner! Common Spurssss #COYS #THFC
— Sons of Jose (@SonsofJose) December 26, 2019
Finally THANK YOU KANE
— NiKlaus Mikaelson (@mstcs_x) December 26, 2019
Yes! Get in, Kane!
— Jacqui Martin (@jackolinemartin) December 26, 2019
And I was just about to turn this off and watch Guys and Dolls...#COYS
Despite Spurs' dominance in possession, Brighton looked dangerous on the break and made life difficult for Spurs.
After about 66 minutes though, Spurs found themselves slightly fortunate to still have eleven men on the field, Harry Winks scything down Pascal Gross on the edge of the box having already been booked. Lucky boy, perhaps?
Winks should be off there
— Steviemac (@steviemac2010) December 26, 2019
How has Winks not got a second yellow. Dele could of also been sent off. Let's see what Mourinho has to say about that.
— Oaky (@JoshuaOakford) December 26, 2019
That's a yellow card for Harry Winks, all day long, if he isn't already booked. Very lucky to get away with it.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 26, 2019
Not sure what's going on with Spurs players. The keeper with the wild tackle, Son with a ridiculous red card.
Eventually Spurs' quality would prevail, despite Brighton's best efforts. Alli's superb lobbed effort finished off a lovely move and would be enough for a hard-fought three points.
Dele Alli has just scored an absolutely gorgeous lob. Or ‘lofted finish’. It wasn’t a chip though. That much I know
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 26, 2019
Beauty.
— Vilanova⚽ (@ayitey_derrick) December 26, 2019
Normality restores.
Dele Alli puts Tottenham in front.
Jose's substitutes have made the difference.
omg alli and aurier i love you
— Liam gbsct (@bremmonk) December 26, 2019
Alli that is amazing.
— Guts (@MrMeeds) December 26, 2019
But Brighton battled well and probably should have got something out of the game. No late Christmas present for the Seagulls.
Brighton the better side against Spurs and unlucky to lose. The Jose way. #TOTBHA
— Michael Kernan (@Michaelk696) December 26, 2019
Unlucky for Brighton they’ve played well
— Tchanney曆 (@elicta_xo) December 26, 2019
Brighton didn't deserve to lose this tbh
— ❌Ra'id❌⚽⚡️ (@MesutsTouch) December 26, 2019
Unlucky
However, it's those in London who will be the happier, even if they're a tad sceptical.
Get in Spurs. Hard work, but win and three points.
— Geoff Humphrey (@grhumphrey) December 26, 2019
They're good just not rolling with the tactics we'll yet but I'm sure by the end of the season this Spurs team will be a top tier contender for next season's champions of the PL and the UCL
— David ✨ (@soliteary) December 26, 2019
Hard fought important win for #Spurs. Great #Dele goal. Leading by example #Kane. #coys
— Rafi Cohen-Almagor (@almagor35) December 26, 2019
Source : 90min