Sussex

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I normally watch Brighton through the haze of multiple pints and a half-time glass of red wine. This can often lead to discrepancies between what I think I have seen on the pitch and what has happened.

Reviewing the post-game comments of Fabian Hurzeler after the draw with Spurs and defeat at Bournemouth, I initially thought this must be the case. Hurzeler seemed to have witnessed both games totally differently.

He talked about dominating and having chances at Vitality Stadium. My recollection was the Cherries having more possession, chances and shots on target.

After seeing Brighton squander a 2-0 lead against Tottenham on Saturday, Hurzeler said the two goals conceded were unlucky and there were a lot of good transition moments in the second half.

Did he mean the second half that felt like the Alamo with the Albion repelling wave after wave of Spurs attacks. Transition moments? Non-existent.

And I would not call leaving Richarlison unmarked in the six-yard box or Lewis Dunk missing an easy clearing header leading to Jan Paul van Hecke putting through his own goal unlucky.

Turns out there was no alcohol-induced warping of reality going on here. Other Albion supporters on social media were equally baffled by how Hurzeler had seen both games. Some presumably will have been sober.

This raises two possibilities. Maybe Hurzeler is remaining overwhelmingly positive about a disappointing start to the season to protect his players in public? In which case, fine.

More concerning would be if Hurzeler believes what he is telling the media. Because aside for the final 30 minutes of the 2-1 win over Manchester City, the Albion are yet to look like a side who can challenge for Europe – as is the stated aim.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Jon: Spurs were by far the better team. Against the run of play, we found ourselves two goals up, but seemed clueless as to how to maintain it. The second-half substitutions were baffling - bringing on defenders rather than trying to win the game. Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck's legs have gone. If we persevere with them rather than the new signings and youngsters, we will be hovering above the drop zone all season. Feels like it is going to be a long, hard season while Fabian Hurzeler continues to learn.

Joe: Hurzeler is tactically out of his depth. Surrendering a 2-0 lead with poor second-half substitutions - not for the first time. That completely changed the dynamic of the match.

Tim: An excellent first half and very good performances from Yasin Ayari, Ferdi Kadioglu and Yankuba Minteh. But trying to simply defend a one-goal lead for the entire second half was a doomed approach with the inevitable outcome. Hurzeler's substitutions made no sense and were a negative approach that nullified us as an attacking force.

Chris: Now Hurzeler is setting up to defend and counter-attack, allowing the opposition to gain a good foothold in the game before we do. Fortuitous goals but poor game management in the latter half and second best again overall. I'm losing interest in this season after five games. Hurzeler isn't cutting it, tactically or with setting up his team with any intensity or momentum.

Tottenham fans

Ian: For the first 30 minutes, it felt like Ange Postecoglou's team from last year. In the end, it felt like Thomas Frank's, with more guts and cohesion. Xavi Simons needs to play a number 10 role and Richarlison needs to stop rolling on the floor all the time. He is not a natural centre-forward and we need one to get fit for all those crosses from our excellent wing play.

Kevin: We need to cut out the sloppy passes (Cristian Romero a big culprit more recently) and be more decisive in the final third. Brighton were sharp and moved the ball quickly, which we struggled to deal with at times. Need to up the energy levels to match such opposition, and to do so I am not sure playing Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur together works. Showed good spirit to battle back from 2-0.

Terry: Frank can say whatever he wants, but it was still a pretty poor performance by Spurs. Why leave Djed Spence on the bench? And there were other poor selections as well. One point is better than none, but it was still a very bad result against a team like Brighton, if you want to finish in the four or five in the Premier League. Get a grip or the season could go like the last one.

Chris: I'm not happy about it but I'll take it! We didn't get the three points, granted. But to fight back and salvage one? It's a marked improvement in last year, so while it's not perfect, it is growth. Well done!

Andy Stevenson
Final Score reporter at Amex Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have now not lost at home in 11 Premier League matches.

Having beaten Manchester City at the Amex last month, they held Tottenham to a creditable draw on Saturday, despite Spurs putting in their "best performance of the season", according to Thomas Frank.

And yet, I imagine the conversation among many Brighton fans after the match was whether the side was too passive after half-time.

Conceding a goal to Richarlison just before the break was undoubtedly a blow to Fabian Hurzeler and his team, but as the second half unfolded it was clear Tottenham had taken complete control.

The equaliser came in unfortunate circumstances from the home team's perspective, deflected in off Jan Paul van Hecke's thigh, but there is no doubt Spurs deserved at least a share of the spoils.

Could Brighton have done more on the front foot at 2-1 up to repel Tottenham?

Did they sit deep by design or were they forced into that rearguard action by the threat of Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison, plus subs Xavi Simons and Brennan Johnson?

Whatever the reasons, both teams will probably see the result as two points dropped.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has urged Carlos Baleba to remain grounded despite rumours of a move, with Manchester United interested in signing the midfielder in the summer. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 2-2 Tottenham

• Wolves 1-3 Leeds

• Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Brighton impressively beat Manchester City in their previous home game and this game had the credentials for another eye-catching result against a side expected to also be battling for a top-four finish.

They did not see much of the ball against Tottenham but their gameplan was effective, looking dangerous on the break when such opportunities came.

While Spurs fully deserved their equaliser it ultimately came from a moment of misfortune from the Brighton defence.

While they were eight minutes away from a very impressive win, the draw does continue their unbeaten form at home this season despite some tricky fixtures.

It doesn't get any easier, with an away trip to Chelsea next up for the Seagulls in the Premier League.

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's draw against Tottenham: "When we looked at the timings of how and when we conceded the goals, it doesn't feel great. The result is a little unlucky for us but overall I saw a lot of positive things. We did some good steps forward, we had a lot of energy on the pitch and good intensity. I thought we did enough to win this game.

"In the end of course Tottenham also had chances, created, had a good energy. It was a tough game, a 50-50 game but like I said we conceded in the wrong moments and therefore it's only a draw.

"We can be very dangerous in transition moments but overall we want to have the ball and control the ball. That is not always possible in football. You need to defend. It is good to know we can be dangerous in those moments."

On Baleba: "We need to give him time, be patient with him, he is a very young player. Last season he was consistent and always on the up but now it is normal that he has ups and downs, it is part of development. It is something that we knew that we need to help him and give him the environment where he can feel comfortable and well and then we need to get him back in shape as quickly as possible."

Yankuba Minteh spoke to Sky Sports about Saturday's draw: "A little bit disappointed. We came here with the mentality to win and all of a sudden we share the points. It is not bad, we have one point but we need to try to win games at home.

"The team played well first half. We tried to dominate them in the middle, if you do that you can get the space in behind. There was a huge space so I tried to run in there every time. And it was successful."

Did you know?

Since the start of their first Premier League season (2017-18), Brighton have conceded more own goals than any other side (20).

Hear more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Hear from Yasin Ayari

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

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