EPL: Spurs win heated thriller with Brighton as Stellini, De Zerbi sent off

Harry Kane struck the winner as Tottenham fought their way to an important victory in the race for the top four, beating Brighton 2-1 in a heated contest which saw both managers sent off and the visitors denied three times by VAR.

Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi had clashed before the match had even started, setting the tone for a feisty encounter, which was lit up just 10 minutes in when Heung-Min Son bent in a beauty for his 100th Premier League goal. He is the first Asian player to reach that landmark.

Kaoru Mitoma then saw his strike controversially ruled out for handball, when the ball appeared to hit him high up on the shoulder or chest, with VAR eventually confirming the linesman’s call.

But on 34 minutes Lewis Dunk powered in a header from a corner to give Brighton a deserved leveller on his 200th Premier League appearance for the club.

Former Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck thought he had completed the comeback when he slammed a shot at goal 10 minutes into the second half but the effort deflected in off his team-mate Alexis Mac Allister, with VAR deciding it hit the Argentine’s arm on the way through and disallowing the goal.

Moments later there was a melee on the sidelines, as coaching staff from both teams squared up to each other. Stellini stepped away from the pushing and shoving but, like De Zerbi, was shown a red for failing to control his coaches.

There was more drama to come, with Mitoma then denied what looked to be a certain penalty when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg missed a clearance, caught the Brighton forward and then trod on his foot in the box – but for a third time Brighton came out on the wrong side of a VAR check.

Despite Brighton dominating possession and territory it was Spurs who had the final say, though, with Kane smashing in Hojbjerg’s cutback to grab a vital three points in the chase for Champions League football.

Spurs remain fifth but have opened up a seven-point gap on Brighton and can focus attention on the three-point deficit to Manchester United and Newcastle, who each have a game in hand. Brighton slip to seventh, with Aston Villa leapfrogging them with a win over Nottingham Forest.

Source: Sky Sports