Tottenham player ratings vs Brighton: Xavi Simons stars as Kevin Danso makes fatal error | OneFootball

Dutchman’s wonderstrike would have delivered win if not for defensive calamity

Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser denied Tottenham a precious three points in their bid for Premier League survival as the Seagulls twice came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Antonin Kinsky 7

Pedro Porro 7

Opened the scoring with a brave header before he was denied by Verbruggen moments later. A constant threat down the right-hand side and covered in behind well. Let his concentration slip for Brighton’s equaliser.

Micky van de Ven 7

Made a vital interception to deflect Hinshelwood’s knockdown onto the post and captained the side well on the whole. Will be incredibly frustrated not to have held on for three points.

Kevin Danso 5

Looked assured in place of Romero, making a brave tackle to deny Welbeck and putting his body on the line. Looked distraught after losing the ball in his own box before Rutter’s late leveller.

Helped stretch the play down the left flank, and Minteh was lucky not to bring him down inside the area after he got goalside of the Brighton winger.

Rodrigo Bentancur 7

Did not hold back on his first appearance back after a serious hamstring injury. Roamed around the pitch, pinching possession and driving Spurs forward. Provided the energy they desperately lacked against Sunderland last weekend before being replaced by Palhinha in the 67th minute.

Starting higher up the pitch, he led the press well at times and nearly forced Verbruggen into a mistake by closing him down near his goal line. Always felt like he was stretching to keep hold of the ball, especially in the final third.

Yves Bissouma 5

Struggled with the ball under pressure, squandering possession on a number of occasions before being replaced by Gray just before the hour mark.

Xavi Simons 9

Did not deserve to have his moment cruelly taken away from him. Exploded into the game right before half-time, assisting Porro’s opener before striking what he thought was the winner with a wonderful right-footed effort. Constantly calling for the ball, he relished the responsibility in arguably the biggest game in Spurs’ recent history.

Dominic Solanke 5

Marshalled well by Van Hecke as he struggled to compete aerially with the Brighton defender. Fared slightly better when the ball was played into feet, but overall a quiet game from the England striker.

Randal Kolo Muani 5

Another ineffectual display from the Frenchman, who was a peripheral figure despite taking the most touches in the opposition box before his substitution. Pressed well early on, but quickly drifted.

Subs:

Mathys Tel 6

Positive as always, off the bench, as he looked to take his man on at every opportunity.

Archie Gray 6

Came into a pressurised atmosphere and took things in his stride as De Zerbi’s subs changed the impetus for Spurs. Had a late chance saved by Verbruggen.

Joao Palhinha 6

Saw his deflected effort almost wrong-foot Verbruggen. Battled well, but for little reward in the end.

Djed Spence 6

Could not help Spurs hold on as Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser stole a point for Brighton.

Lucas Bergvall 7

Nicked the ball in the lead-up to Simons’ winner. Provided energy and bite to give Spurs a second wind late on.