With a 2-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium, Tottenham increased their chances of finishing in the Premier League’s top four.
Antonio Conte’s team closed to within three points of fourth-placed Arsenal thanks to goals from Cristian Romero and Harry Kane, however the gap will widen if Arsenal avoid loss against Liverpool later on Wednesday.
Romero scored his first goal for Tottenham in the 37th minute, deflecting Dejan Kulusevski’s shot past Robert Sanchez.
Kane extended the visitors’ advantage and clinched the victory 12 minutes after the break, becoming the Premier League’s all-time best away scorer with 95 goals in 139 games.
Aiming to end a run of five successive defeats, Brighton almost gifted their opponents the lead inside five minutes.
After taking a heavy touch way outside his penalty area, Sanchez’s attempted clearance was charged down by Kane. Despite having an empty goal to aim at, the England captain could only drag wide from a tight angle.
The visitors enjoyed over 56 per cent of the possession during the first half and eventually made their superiority tell eight minutes before the break.
Following a patient build-up, the well-placed Romero deflected Kulusevski’s low first-time shot beyond Sanchez for his maiden Tottenham goal.
Kulusevski was presented with a tremendous opportunity to double the lead as he capitalised on Shane Duffy’s loose header soon after, but Sanchez was quickly out to deny the Juventus loanee.
Tottenham did get their second goal following a quickfire counter in the 57th minute. Rodrigo Bentancur’s throughball released Kane, who neatly slotted home.
Sanchez prevented Sergio Reguilon from increasing the advantage, but the visitors held on to claim a first win at the Amex Stadium since September 2018.
What does it mean? Brighton hit for six
Tottenham got back on track and averted a sixth defeat in nine Premier League games.
However, their opponents have now suffered six successive league losses for the first time since doing so between February and March 2006.
The Seagulls have also failed to find the net in 30 home Premier League games; more than any other side since their promotion to the English top-flight in 2017.
Busy Bentancur
The Juventus loanee produced a commanding performance in the middle of the park.
Bentancur led the way with the game-highs in touches (93), passes (79) and final-third entries (11).
He also produced the most passes in the final third (11), while no player recorded more interceptions (three) along with Leandro Trossard.
Kane delivers
Kane reached yet another landmark strike as he surpassed Wayne Rooney to take the outright lead on the Premier League all-time away goal list.
That came from one of six shots – more than any other player – while he also had the most touches in the opposition box (seven) and completed the most dribbles (five).
The England captain was also involved in more duels than anyone else (14) and won the most fouls throughout the contest (three).
What’s next?
Tottenham will look to build on their momentum when they welcome West Ham for what promises to be an intriguing London derby on Sunday.
