CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN’S STUNNING late strike secured Tottenham a crucial 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion to give Spurs complete control in the top-four race.
Spurs appeared to be heading for an underwhelming draw that would have seen Brighton edge closer to securing their Premier League safety, but Eriksen struck two minutes from time to cruelly deny Chris Hughton’s hard-working side.
After a quiet opening, the first half grew into a lively encounter, with Spurs going closest just before the interval when Dele Alli had an effort blocked on the line.
Spurs stepped things up a notch in the second half but looked to have run out of ideas after Toby Alderweireld hit the post, but Eriksen continued plugging away and eventually found the net late on, taking Mauricio Pochettino’s men four points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
Precious little occurred during the early exchanges until Victor Wanyama’s wild clearance went just over his own goal following a free-kick in the 14th minute.
Spurs livened up soon after and went close to the opener – Lucas Moura collected Eriksen’s exquisite pass and played the ball across the face of goal, but Lewis Dunk brilliantly intercepted before Dele Alli could tap in.
Brighton were fortunate again a few moments before half-time – Shane Duffy crucially clearing Alli’s close-range effort off the line.
Spurs dominated thereafter, but they struggled to break down Brighton’s compact defence – Danny Rose’s 25-yard strike testing Mat Ryan, before Alderweireld struck the right-hand post 18 minutes from the end.
Vincent Janssen was introduced for his first Premier League appearance since August 2017 as Spurs ran out of ideas.
But finally their persistence paid off, as Eriksen’s left-footed drive found the bottom-right corner from 30 yards to continue Spurs’ unblemished start at their new home and keep Brighton looking over their shoulder at Cardiff City in the relegation battle.
With all of the candidates for the remaining top-four places dropping points in their last fixtures, it almost seemed as though none of them want Champions League football next season.
Consistency has been hard to come by all for all of them, so a win for Spurs could prove to be massive in the long run, particularly with Chelsea and Manchester United set to face each other at the weekend.
Match-winner Eriksen had looked like Spurs’ most likely route to goal throughout, with the Dane pulling the strings from midfield and going fairly close with a couple of long-range efforts. He eventually found the target and just in time, continuing his fine run of form.
While Fernando Llorente would never be expected to run around and make things happen, he was anonymous even by his standards. He might complain about the service, but he could have made himself more available and he was generally dealt with easily by the excellent Brighton defence.
Spurs have another two home games on the horizon, as they host West Ham in a London derby on Saturday, before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Ajax. Brighton continue their survival battle at home to Newcastle United in four days’ time.
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Eriksen has the class. Deserve their top 4 spot with Son flying. Better suited to Cup Football for sure, 2 legged and a potential one-off just COULD BE!
Eriksen would be perfect for Liverpool or Utd or even a successor for,David silva at city but can see him at Madrid next season quality player
@Aj Leahy: he wouldn’t make the Liverpool team no offense his a stand out player but where would he play
@Who ate all Depays: sorry Jordan Henderson is better
@Aj Leahy: I support Sheffield it’s I don’t watch Liverpool but Henderson is goin ok at the moment from what I’ve heard
@Who ate all Depays:
He’d walk into any team in the PL lad. Sheffield United look like they’ve done enough. Leeds blew it. Villa will bate them too.
@Nollaig Elliot: Sheffield utd play great football I wouldn’t watch the premier league only the odd time mcgoldrick is in top form
@Who ate all Depays: in all fairness if you don’t watch Liverpool or the premier league how can you say if he would or wouldn’t get in the liverpool team? Personally could see eriksen go to Barca, another product of ajax
@Aj Leahy: Why would you think he wants to leave THFC for a team he will soon beat? COYS
@Who ate all Depays: absolute rubbish..this guy could play for any team in the world ..if the Liverpool players are irreplaceable then I presume klopp will be keeping the cash in the bank this summer!
Seriously could you imagine this guy threading passes through for Liverpools front three..would be hard to stop..
I’m a spurs fan and it kills me to say I think he’ll be off to Spain in the summer!
Brighton looking to be in trouble at this stage , hughton one of the nice guys in football , his old club spurs , heaping on the agony .
@Tricksy: Brighton should stay up. I think it’ll be Cardiff that goes
My honest opinion on the relegation is Cardiff do not deserve to go down they have been robbed of points against the top 6 and with Emiliano sala tragic accident I respect Cardiff for coming out and giving every game there best fair play to the group of players
@Who ate all Depays: thought you don’t what the prem???
@Aj Leahy: watch
Spurs deserved the win playing against a team that parked the bus .brighton deserve to be relegated