Strain showing on Tottenham Hotspur’s stretched squad after Brighton & Hove Albion setback
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Brighton & Hove Albion's Pervis Estupinan scores their third goal in the 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Dec 28.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou admitted his team lacked their usual energy as his overstretched squad unravelled in a 4-2 English Premier League away defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion on Dec 28.
Spurs, who have maintained their top-four push despite a host of key players missing through injury and suspension, went 4-0 down on the south coast before a late rally meant they salvaged some pride.
They have been without playmaker James Maddison and central defender Micky van de Ven since a 4-1 home defeat by Chelsea at the start of November, while centre-back Cristian Romero is also facing a lengthy lay-off.
Midfielder Yves Bissouma was also suspended for the trip to Brighton.
“I know I say I don’t make excuses but that doesn’t dismiss the enormous efforts of the players, not just today but through this whole period,” said Postecoglou, whose side are fifth in the table with 36 points from 19 games.
“They give everything they have, even today. Everything they had in them physically they gave to this game, even though sometimes we weren’t as sharp as we have been.
“It’s difficult. It’s been difficult this whole run. We’ve been stretched for a very long time and we’ve just tried to play through it. That’s what we’ve done and we’re only in the position we are because of the enormous efforts of the players to do jobs that normally is not in their brief.”
Late goals by substitute Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies were proof of Tottenham’s fighting spirit but with players heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup in January, Postecoglou knows he needs to bolster his squad.
“We’ve got 10 players injured. The way we play, the players give everything every game,” he added.
“It’s very demanding the way we play physically and today we kind of looked like a team that wasn’t at its sharpest. Ultimately, the players gave everything they have and that’s all I can ask for.”
Captain Son Heung-min also said the performance was nowhere near the levels Tottenham need to be at.
“Every team is strong in the Premier League and if we’re not playing like the last 15 minutes in every game, we’re going to struggle and this has to be a big wake-up call,” he said.
Brighton scored via Jack Hinshelwood, Pervis Estupinan and a brace from Joao Pedro, which pleased their manager Roberto de Zerbi.
“I am really lucky to be the coach of this team with these players. I am very pleased with the passion they have, they have everything,” he said, after his team moved up to eighth on 30 points. REUTERS
