Tottenham Hotspur Beat Brighton

Tottenham Hotspur brought an end to a run of three successive defeats as they won 2-1 at Brighton on a damp Saturday evening on the south coast.

Harry Kane gave the Londoners the lead from the penalty spot shortly before half time, and substitute Erik Lamela sealed the points inside the final 15 minutes before Anthony Konackaert’s late response.

Kieran Trippier was at the heart of much of Spurs’ early attacking intent and was behind the move from which they almost took a 10th-minute lead.

The chance came when Trippier whipped in a corner that was headed on by Toby Alderweireld and superbly saved by home keeper Mat Ryan, with Jan Vertonghen unable to make anything of the rebound.

Son Heung-Min then tried his luck from distance, a strike across a skidding surface gathered by Ryan, before Spurs lost Lewis Dunk from a free kick after 15 minutes but the defender’s attempt was wayward.

Knockaert wasted a free kick after a foul by Danny Rose, before Spurs fashioned an opening when Kane and Rose combined but Son’s strike cannoned to safety.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton was forced into an early substitution when Dale Stephens appeared to suffer a hamstring strain and was replaced by Beram Kayal.

But although Spurs were dominating possession it was a game of few chances, Brighton content to soak up the visitors’ pressure and launch counter-attacks.

Son’s speculative effort on the half-hour mark was well off target, but shortly before half time the breakthrough came when referee Chris Kavanagh adjudged that Trippier’s free kick had been handled by Glenn Murray.

After Brighton’s protests had subsided, Kane stepped up and powered home the penalty to give Spurs a 42nd-minute advantage.

The home side began the second half with purpose, Trippier booked early on for fouling Solly March, but Spurs were mighty close to a second soon afterwards as Christian Eriksen’s curling 25-yard effort was narrowly off target.