Ange Postecoglou admits Tottenham fell quick throughout their 4-2 defeat at Brighton – however says VAR ought to have intervened to ship off Lewis Dunk following a problem which may result in Dejan Kulusevski being added to his damage record.
Spurs arrived on the south coast looking for a fourth successive top-flight success to reclaim fourth spot from reigning champions Manchester Metropolis. However the north London membership have been ripped aside as Joao Pedro’s double and Pervis Estupinan’s thunderbolt added to Jack Hinshelwood’s opener.
Tottenham, who claimed late consolations via substitute Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies, may simply have misplaced by extra as rampant Albion twice hit the woodwork and had a Facundo Buonanotte effort disallowed.
This was the primary time Spurs had gone 2-0 down and trailed by multiple aim at half time of a Premier League sport underneath Postecoglou. Brighton had six pictures on the right track within the first half; the joint-most Spurs have confronted in a half of league soccer underneath their new supervisor.
“It is fair to say we looked like a tired team today, which is understandable,” mentioned Postecoglou. “We have requested a variety of these gamers for a really very long time and we lacked just a little little bit of vitality at present.
“They’re a very good staff and we struggled to deal with them. We hung in there and that is all you possibly can ask for, they left all the things on the market.
“There are no grumbles from me with the penalties. They were clear and obvious.”
Later within the press convention, Postecoglou sarcastically added on the primary spot-kick: “It was obviously clear and obvious because it only took him three minutes to see it at the screen.”
However it was the incident during which Veliz scored the primary of Tottenham’s two late objectives which angered Postecoglou, as Kulusevski was caught by Dunk, with the Swede set to be assessed forward of the go to of Bournemouth on New Yr’s Eve.
The Australian mentioned: “It’s amazing that VAR picks up everything apart from a tackle that maybe puts out another of our players. They’re the decisions.”
“It is demanding to play the football we ask and they are doing it week in week out. It’s not for a lack of effort. We haven’t been able to give the players a break at all and what we ask is pretty taxing.
“Every little thing they have, the gamers are giving me in the meanwhile. I can not ask anymore of them.
“We’re in the position we’re in because of the enormous efforts of a really small section of our squad. They did it again today and they’ve done it all year. Whatever they’ve got, they’ll give and you can’t ask for anymore.”
‘Everybody over the moon for Estupinian’
Spurs have conceded 19 objectives throughout their final 9 video games within the Premier League. Certainly, because the begin of November, they’ve the best anticipated objectives towards complete of any staff within the division (21.4), whereas no staff has conceded greater than their 19 objectives.
Richarlison struck a submit for the guests and was twice denied by the offside flag, whereas Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg additionally hit the woodwork.
But, on this proof, Champions League qualification seems to be a distant dream for Postecoglou’s aspect, who had registered only one level from 15 earlier than their latest upturn in kind. Victory lifts Roberto De Zerbi’s hosts above Newcastle into eighth.
Depleted Brighton have been lacking eight first-team gamers whereas their guests additionally had a prolonged record of absentees – however there was delight for Estupinan as he marked his return following a three-month lay-off with a surprising strike to stretch the lead.
Danny Welbeck, when requested by Amazon Prime about Estupinan’s aim, mentioned: “It was unbelievable. We have given him a little bit of stick as a result of he is taken just a few alternatives the place he has struck the ball from distance however at present was unbelievable.
“He’s been out for a while and everybody is over the moon for him. You’ve got to get the technique right first and foremost and I think once the ball left his boot he knew that was in. It was a beautiful goal, and one he will remember forever.”
De Zerbi toasted an excellent finish to a particular 12 months the place Brighton completed sixth, made the FA Cup semi-finals and progressed into the final 16 of the Europa League.
The Italian mentioned: “This was the best way to finish the year. I’m really proud for the last 10 minutes – not for the first 80 minutes – because it is too easy to speak about this. I’m really proud for the last 10 minutes when we were suffering a lot and made a mistake with the first goa we conceded.
“We have to know the place we wish to go and we have now to know who we’re and we performed a fantastic sport as a result of we confirmed unbelievable braveness to defend man-to-man for 90 minutes.
“I am sorry we concede two goals and I am sorry we have no clean sheet.”
De Zerbi hints Brighton could discover it robust to retain Pedro
De Zerbi has admitted Brighton could discover it robust to maintain Joao Pedro after one other spectacular show. The Brazilian ahead now has 13 objectives since signing from Watford in the summertime.
De Zerbi mentioned: “He played another incredible game. I am really pleased with his improvement in mentality, attitude. In the defensive phase he defended like a centre-back for 90 minutes.”
Nevertheless, the Brighton boss added: “He is becoming a top player. I hope in the next year to work with him, but it will be very tough.”
What’s subsequent?
Brighton’s subsequent sport is at West Ham on Tuesday, dwell on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 7.30pm.
The Seagulls then journey to Stoke within the FA Cup third spherical on Saturday January 6; kick-off 3pm.
Tottenham are subsequent in motion on New Yr’s Eve once they host Bournemouth; kick-off 2pm.
Spurs then welcome Burnley to north London within the FA Cup third spherical on Friday January 5; kick-off 8pm.