Premier League

TOTTENHAM 2 (Porro 39, Simons 77)
BRIGHTON 2 (Mitoma 45+3, Rutter 90+5)

IT was heartbreak in N17 this evening (Saturday) as Tottenham’s desperate scramble to escape relegation came undone in added time with visitors Brighton scoring a late, late equaliser to rob Roberto De Zerbi’s side of three vital points.

Spurs had led via a Pedro Porro header but were pegged back in first-half injury-time via a rocket of a volley from Kaoru Mitoma.

The hosts regained the lead via a Xavi Simons wonder strike, but deep into eight-minutes added time, Georginio Rutter capitalised on Kevin Danso’s failure to put his foot through the ball – and three massive points became a morale-sapping one.

Speaking after the game, a hoarse De Zerbi – the manager had been booked for leaving his technical area and was a hive of constant activity throughout the game – was upbeat. He said he felt his side could win all five of their next games. “We can stay up with the qualities of the players,” De Zerbi said defiantly.

“We can play better than we did today, with more quality and more calmness, especially when we are in possession. But in this moment, with this attitude, this mentality, it’s not finished yet.

“We have five more games. Everyone knows it’s tough, but we have another five games and 15 points, this team is able to win five games in a row. If you watch the players and analyse their levels, we have the qualities.”

De Zerbi accepted his side had sat too deep defending their lead as the nerves jangled off the terraces and into tired limbs. He added: “I think we deserved to win the game, especially when you concede in extra-time.

And he defended his players for the late, late loss of two-points that look crucial. He said: “I did not think it was anxiety – Brighton’s first goal was incredible, the second goal they got possession, Danso played a fantastic game but the ball was with him and he lost the ball and then we conceded, but there was no mistake with personality. We have to be positive and not just sit back and defend.”

De Zerbi was able to make wholesale changes to the side beaten by Sunderland last week and saw enough from Rodrigo Bentancur in training to give him a first start since January.

The stadium also enjoyed the morale-booster of seeing James Maddison named for the first time in a match day squad this season.

Spurs, two points from safety, began with intent. Destiny Udogie got round his marker on eight minutes and bore down on goal, only to have his legs tangled from behind by Yankuba Minteh. There were calls for a penalty – it would have been Tottenham’s first this season – but referee Stuart Atwell ignored the howls.

While Tottenham were full of running, they lacked composure – that is, until Simons worked some magic.

On 38 minutes, Dominic Solanke won the ball, jinked a pass back for Simons, and the Dutch number seven dropped a peach of a cross on to Porro’s head as the full-back arrived to score the opener.

When the season is done, big moments will stand out: a minute after taking the lead, Simons got in and guided his shot past Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal, but hit the far post. Porro’s rasping follow up was athletically tipped over.

Instead of going in with a two-goal cushion, things went pear shaped. Brighton had something to offer whenever they got forward, and they were rewarded via an absolute screamer of a volley by Mitoma. The winger, who had come on for the injured Diego Gomez, met a deep cross first-time. He left Antonin Kinsky with no chance.

Spurs, driven on by a desperate home support, created chances through sheer effort. But it took a moment of magic from Simons for the home side to get their noses in front once more.

On 77, Lucas Bergvall nicked the ball high up. He laid it off for Simons, who had a full deck of Brighton defenders ahead. He nudged across from the left and unleashed a curler into the top corner.

Now Tottenham just had to hang on. They sat deeper and deeper, and Brighton peppered Kinsky’s goal with crosses.

It looked like the home side had done enough – until Danso failed to send the ball away to safety. He was robbed in the box and Rutter finished to make it 2-2.

It was heartbreaking stuff, but if Spurs can play with this passion and add a little bit more wit, the great escape is still on.

Tottenham: Kinsky, Porro, Danso, van de Ven, Udogie (Spence, 76), Bissouma (Gray, 56), Bentancur (Palhinha, 67), Gallagher (Bergvall, 76), Simon, Kolo Muani (Tel, 57), Solanke
Substitutes not used: Austin, Dragusin, Richarlison, Maddison

Brighton: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gross, Ayari (Kostoulas, 82), Minteh, Hinshelwood (O’Riley, 75), Gomez (Mitoma, 19), Welbeck (Rutter, 74)
Substitutes not used: Steele, Julio, Baleba, De Cuyper, Veltman