Strong Looking Spurs Beat Brighton to Advance to FA Cup Fifth Round

Saturday 5th February 2022

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Competition: FA Cup Fourth Round

"Pre-Match Thoughts – Spurs back in action after a two week winter break. It's difficult to judge how teams will perform after time off. We know Brighton are a good side under a promising manager, so it won't be easy.

Hopefully our boys return rested and ready to go, and with the home advantage, I can see us winning 2-1. "

Huge boost to see Son and Romero return from injury and start. They were two of a number of changes from our last outing against Chelsea a fortnight ago. It's a good job Romero was back as Dier and Tanganga were both ruled out with fresh injury concerns, Skipp joined them too, let's hope none of them are serious issues.

13' GOAL! Son started the game with a spring in his step and did well to chase down the ball and win it off the Brighton defence on the left side. He was quick to pass inside t0 Højbjerg, who took a touch before promptly playing into the feet of Kane, who weighed up the shot from outside the area and proceeded to execute it to perfection - a sublime curling effort that flew into the top right corner. 1-0.

24' GOAL! A freak second for Spurs - Royal received the ball in his own half and broke into the space ahead of him. When he'd reached the right side of the area he lashed in a cross that deflected off the boot of a Brighton defender which sent it looping up over the keeper and into the far side of the net. It was a passionate celebration from the Brazilian who thought he'd scored his first goal for the club. Unfortunately the deflection deemed it a Solly March own goal. 2-0.

28' The positive play continued and this time Højbjerg drove forward toward the centre of the Brighton box, he laid it right to Kane, who showed great composure to stop in his tracks around eight yards out and send a recovering Brighton defender sliding by him and out of the way. He then opted for an audacious chipped finish towards the far post which was just wide of the mark, but Son was there to meet it with his head, to his disbelief he couldn't force it back on target though, and headed wide from a yard or two out.

39' Spurs were creating opportunities at will and Kane was proving a real handful. This time Moura found him out on the left side, he cut inside before blasting low at goal, but the Brighton keeper dived to make the save.

"Thoughts at Half-Time – Excellent, exciting football from Spurs so far, they've made Brighton look like one of the FA Cup's lower league sides. The only criticism would be that we're only two goals ahead, but as long as they re-emerge from the break with the same positive mentality, then we should go on to win this game comfortably."

Brighton made a sub and changed formation from a back three to a more traditional back four. It made them noticeably more comfortable and the visitors started the half brightly.

51' Bissouma laced a shot at goal from outside the box, it deflected off Romero and almost deceived Lloris, thankfully he showed cat-like reactions to switch direction and make a diving save to his left and keep it out.

59' Following a challenge in the middle of the park the ball broke to Kane, suddenly it was two on one, with Kane and Son the two everyone expected only one outcome, Kane slid in Son to his left who tried to guide it into the far corner with the inside of his right boot, but it was too close to the keeper. A wasted opportunity.

63' Goal. It'd been coming since the break, and it was another Bissouma shot from outside the box that caused it. Again it was deflected, this time heavily off Højbjerg, and it was too much to ask of Lloris to keep this one out. 2-1.

66' GOAL! Spurs were quick to re-establish the two goal lead - Son received it in his own half, he burst forward with it breaking straight through the Brighton backline with blistering pace. It looked as if he was on for another Burnley-style wonder goal for a moment, but then a recovering defender got a foot in to take it away from him, fortunately the ball fell into an area in front of goal where Kane was there to slide in and force over the line from close range. 3-1.

67' A slip from Romero suddenly saw Maupay clear through on goal. Lloris was quick off his line to unnerve him and it worked a treat as the Brighton striker chipped his finish straight into the mid-rift of our skipper.

68' The crowd on their feet as Moura made way for new signing Dejan Kulusevski. Son also made way, Bergwijn his replacement.

77' The arrival of our second new signing - Rodrigo Bentancur. He came on for Winks in the centre of midfield.

83' A mistake at the back saw the ball fall to Kulusevski in a dangerous area. He drove forward into the box before teeing it up for Bergwijn to have a free shot at goal from around the penalty spot. Unfortunately the Dutchman was leaning back and he side-footed it way over the bar.

"Thoughts at Full-Time – The Spurs go marching on! A promising performance on the whole. We showed a lot of energy and created a number of chances which is really positive to see. The team seem to be really coming together under Conte now, and as we advance to the Sixth Round of the FA Cup, who knows, maybe he'll bring us a trophy home this season."

Tottenham Player Ratings

• 1. Hugo Lloris – 7.5 – Another commanding performance. Made two important saves at crucial times, and there wasn't a lot he could do about the one that did get past him.

• 6. Davinson Sánchez – 7 – Not a whole lot to note, which is often a good sign for a defender.

• 4. Cristian Romero – 8 – Great to see him back in action after a long lay-off through injury. Was solid in his tackles and his all round game, bar a slip in the second half that was almost costly. Will take time getting back to full fitness and was cramping up in the second half. Eventually made way with fifteen to go.

• 33. Ben Davies– 6.5 – Got forward well, especially in the first half and did his duties pretty comfortably throughout. One dodgy moment at the end when he let a ball under his boot. Thankfully it didn't lead to anything threatening.

• 12. Emerson Royal – 7 – Did well to cause the second goal with a long run and cross that deflected in. Didn't create much more but worked hard.

• 8. Harry Winks – 7 – So pleasing to see him getting back to somewhere close to his best. Had a decent effort from distance saved in the first half which is a really promising sign of his growing confidence.

• 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7 – His usual workhorse-self. Hassled and harried around the midfield and provided the assist for Kane's opener.

• 3. Sergio Reguilón – 6.5 – Raced up and down the left side. Delivery wasn't brilliant again though. Almost got himself on the scoresheet late-on.

• 27. Lucas Moura – 6 – Ran around trying to make things happen, but gave the ball away too many times. Another one of those performances where he didn't really manage to make an impact.

• 7. Son Heung-min – 7 – Clearly relished being back and was a bright spark from the off. Should have nodded away Kane's chipped finish in the first half but was just caught a bit off-guard. Also should have done better when teed up by Kane in the second half. His sharpness when finishing will return as he gets back to full match fitness. Embarked on a superb run that led to Kane's second.

• 10. Harry Kane – 9 – Worked tirelessly again, dropping into the midfield and creating havoc. Exquisite strike to open the scoring, unlucky not to chip in another moments later, eventually found his deserved second by pouncing to slide home the loose ball from Son's run. Continues to get back to his best under Conte.

Substitutions:

• 27. Lucas Moura ⬅ 68' ➡ 21. Dejan Kulusevski – 6.5 – Came on and got involved. Showed some nice touches and set up Bergwijn with a sitter but he skied it. Cut inside and set-up Kane for an effort too. Good start in a Spurs shirt.

• 7. Son Heung-min ⬅ 69' ➡ 23. Steven Bergwijn – 5 – Fluffed his one big chance which is unfortunate after his dramatic two goals against Leicester looked to have really boosted his confidence.

• 4. Cristian Romero ⬅ 77' ➡ 14. Joe Rodon – 5.5 – Came on for the tired Romero. Kept it tight in the closing stages except for when he was beaten to a header by Welbeck late on that Lloris had to save.

• 8. Harry Winks ⬅ 77' ➡ 30. Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.5 – Showed lovely feet on the edge of our area at one point that drew applause from the crowd. Looked pretty solid and assured on the ball.

• 12. Emerson Royal ⬅ 87' ➡ 2. Matt Doherty – N/A – On as a late substitute.

Man of the Match – 10. Harry Kane