Tottenham stay within the Premier League relegation zone after they have been surprised by a stoppage-time leveler from Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter throughout a pulsating 2-2 attract Roberto De Zerbi’s residence debut.
Spurs seemed set to finish a 15-match winless within the top-flight when Xavi Simons produced an excellent 77th-minute strike to spark wild celebrations.
Simon’s wonderful effort adopted up his help for Pedro Porro’s opener after 39 minutes, which was cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma in first-half stoppage-time.
However, scenes of jubilation turned to disbelief when Kevin Danso misplaced possession within the fifth minute of time added on and Rutter curled residence to make sure the spoils have been shared.
It denied De Zerbi’s workforce a primary victory in cost and means Tottenham will keep within the backside three for an additional week with solely 5 matches left to stop a primary relegation since 1977.
Spurs had spent a complete week within the relegation zone, however there was an air of positivity in N17 with James Maddison surprisingly named within the matchday squad for the primary time this season and Simons again within the beginning lineup.
A sea of white flags welcomed the groups earlier than De Zerbi’s pleasantries together with his previous gamers have been adopted by a number of warnings by the fourth official Ben Toner for strolling onto the pitch.
Clear-cut motion was restricted, however Tottenham had penalty appeals waved away within the Tenth-minute after Destiny Udogie tangled with Brighton attacker Yankuba Minteh.
Diego Gómez limped off for the guests quickly after, earlier than Simons went shut with a low effort deflected extensive.
Brighton loved a sustained spell of strain afterward and Spurs stand-in captain Micky van de Ven smashed a clearance in opposition to the publish to disclaim Danny Welbeck after a harmful Jack Hinshelwood knockdown, earlier than Antonín Kinsky saved Welbeck’s header.
After Tottenham survived, De Zerbi watched the primary aim of his period come from Porro. Simons was central to it with an exquisite clipped cross and Porro stole in to move over Bart Verbruggen.
Two minutes later and it ought to have been 2-0 when Dominic Solanke handed into Simons, who lower inside Ferdi Kadioglu however curled the ball in opposition to the publish from eight yards and Porro’s follow-up was tipped over by Verbruggen.
It would show pricey when Mitoma lashed residence on the volley in supreme trend from an equally spectacular Pascal Gross cross.
Hinshelwood headed extensive earlier than half-time and Brighton picked up the place they left off after the break with Danso pressured to clear forward of Welbeck after which block an effort by Mitoma.
De Zerbi obtained a warning quickly after for happening the touchline once more earlier than a raft of substitutes sparked a grand finale.
João Palhinha went shut after his introduction earlier than Lucas Bergvall marked his entrance with a key position in Simons’ aim.
Bergvall received again possession from Jan Paul van Hecke and performed in Simons, who made house in opposition to Mats Wieffer and curled sumptuously past Verbruggen.
Wild scenes in entrance of the South Stand have been adopted by a bout of cramp for Simons, earlier than the late twist within the story.
Danso needed too lengthy on the ball inside the world and Van Hecke stole in and teed up Rutter to interrupt Tottenham hearts and stop the hosts shifting out of the underside three.
