Spurs 2 Brighton HAFC 1

Brighton played doggedly in this defeat last night at the new Spurs stadium.

There were 2 surprise omissions in the line up: keeper Matt Ryan was on the bench and forward Neil Maupay not even in the eighteen. One can only think this was for disciplinary reasons.

Skipper and centre back Lewis Dunk was serving the second game of his red card ban so Graham Potter played 3-4-1-2 with defender Ben White in midfield but no recognised target man.

Spurs were coming off a poor result in the Europa League a 1-0 defeat to Royal Antwerp.

The first two goals owed something to VAR to the extent that I began to wonder whether John Moss – in his VAR hub – or referee Graham Scott on the pitch was officiating.

Canny Harry Kane held his ground on the edge of the box, forcing Adam Lallana to foul him and concede a penalty which Kane converted.

Lamptey equalised for the Seagulls.

The strength of football as a spectator sport is its continuity and this is undermined when there is a lengthy delay to establish whether there is a goal or not.

Spurs restored their lead when a totally unmarked Gareth Bale headed home.

It would not have happened on Lewis Dunk’s watch.

I was not displeased by the performance.

I can see the Seagulls avoiding the drop as there are 4 teams more likely to be relegated: Burnley, Fulham ,Sheffield United and WBA.