A moment of absolute magic from Kaoru Mitoma featuring a spectacular volleyed goal pretty much single-handedly secured top spot in the Spurs 2-2 Brighton player ratings.
The Albion were 1-0 behind in first half added time when Mitoma struck. Pascal Gross crossed from the right and the Japanese winger met it with a technically superb, first time right footed volley which three goalkeepers could not have kept out.
Think Marco van Basten against the Soviet Union at the 1988 European Championships and you are close to how good this was.
It was not the only goal to come late in a half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium either. Georginio Rutter popped up with a 95th minute equaliser to secure a useful point for Brighton and leave Spurs crushed.
Tottenham are now 15 Premier League games without a victory stretching back to December, still marooned in the relegation zone whilst Roberto De Zerbi awaits his first three points as Spurs boss. De Zerbi did at least get an excellent reception from the away end when he came over at full time.
Here are your Spurs 2-2 Brighton player ratings.
Bart Verbruggen – 5.82
An excellent second half reaction save from Joao Palhinha involving a cricket-style long barrier looked very important by full time once all the late drama was done and dusted. But his role in the Spurs opener when coming for a cross and getting nowhere near it cannot be overlooked.
Mats Wieffer – 5.73
Picked up a 37th minute yellow card which meant he had to be really clever managing the second half. Decent enough given those circumstances and that he was up against the lively Xavi Simons.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 5.27
At fault for the second Spurs goal when he was dispossessed as last man with Brighton ironically attempting some DeZerbiBall esque playing out from the back. Thrown up front in the closing stages as Fabian Hurzeler went all Mark McGhee and Adam Virgo. It worked with Van Hecke setting up Rutter for the leveller.
Olivier Boscagli – 7.18
The only defender to score a seven in the Spurs 2-2 Brighton player ratings. Very assured and performed much better than the erratic Van Hecke on the day. How does Hurzeler justify bringing Lewis Dunk straight back into the team after suspension, given Boscagli has been excellent in the two games he has played?
Ferdi Kadioglu – 6.09
Did not really hit the high standards he has set for himself this season as Spurs caused Brighton a fair amount of problems.
Pascal Gross – 7.18
Another assist for Gross. The quality of the finish from Mitoma has rightly taken all the plaudits. But the curling cross from Gross straight onto Mitoma’s foot was a thing of absolute beauty.
Yasin Ayari – 6.00
Got through a lot of unglamorous defensive work protecting the back four, allowing Gross to be more prominent in dictating play.
Diego Gomez – 5.55
Looked to be having one of his off-days before landing awkwardly when challenging for a header and appearing to do serious damage to his knee on 20 minutes. Gomez limped off in tears which is bad news for him, Brighton and potentially Paraguay heading into the World Cup.
Jack Hinshelwood – 5.91
His goal bound header almost led Micky van de Ven to score a comical own goal when volleying it against the post as he attempted to clear. Hinshelwood struggled to have much impact other than that at a venue where he scored twice last season.
Yankuba Minteh – 7.00
Started on the left before switching to the right when Mitoma replaced Gomez. The change impacted his rhythm a little bit, although he still managed to be at the heart of most good things Brighton did going forward. Including playing a big role in the Rutter goal with his low cross into the box starting the sequence leading to it.
Danny Welbeck – 5.45
Should have done better with a header. Plenty of hard work but not really in the game much other than that.
KAORU MITOMA – 7.91
An afternoon which was ultimately all about the volley scored using his weaker right foot. Was forced off 15 minutes before the end with an injury the Albion will be hoping it not too bad. Otherwise Hurzeler will be facing a potential selection crisis out wide for Chelsea on Tuesday night with Gomez certain to be missing.
Georginio Rutter – 7.45
Second place in the Spurs 2-2 Brighton player ratings goes to Rutter for his last gasp heroics. He has not enjoyed the best of seasons and this was only his third goal of the campaign. What a time though to score it.
Maxim De Cuyper – 5.91
Took over from Mitoma on the left flank and helped the Albion pile the pressure on Tottenham through the final 10 minutes.
Matt O’Riley – 5.55
Who else had forgotten he existed? Came on for Hinshelwood for the last 15 and like De Cuyper, helped Brighton dominate the closing stages.
Charalampos Kostoulas – 5.64
Underrated movement in the box played a part in the Rutter equaliser. He should be playing a more prominent role over the remaining five games of the season.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via social media. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter or We Are Brighton on Bluesky and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
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