As I mentioned in previous article games won in advance are the hardest to win. This game looked like game between cat and mouse, between Champions League semi finalist and club who fight to avoid relegation. I am sure for Tottenham fans that was one torture game to watch. Coach of Spurs picked up the strongest squad he could in present situation. Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertongen, Rose, Weynayama, Erisken, Ali, Son, Lucas, Llorente. Brighton coach decided to set up bunker in front of his goal and to defend with 10 and sometimes even all 11 players without much ambition in attack.

Spurs dominated the game, took the ball completely from Seagulls and tried to break the bunker on all ways. Crossings from flanks looking for Llorente who was alone between two Brighton players every time, trying to make chances by playing in the middle, but ball simple did not want to go into the net. They did not create a lot of clear chances, but some good shoot occasions which were either blocked or saved by Brighton goalkeeper. Passes were mainly slow at close range like I pass to you you pass to me on 5 meter distance, but we can't make a chance. I got feeling Spurs are not running enough. It looked like just player with a ball is running while rest are simple walking on the field. During first half I was thinking that Spurs should try more often to shoot from 20-25m if they can. Desperate crossings to hidden and well covered Llorente will not bring any good.

When you are in war in front of bunker way to destroy it is long bomb throwing inside tiny little hole. Similar is in football. You need either to change side of attack fast if you want flank attack either to shoot bombs toward goal in hope that one will get in. Spurs were very slow in changing sides and not precise in shoot attempts.

In second half it looked like Poch told them to try shoots more and as game went to final stage shots became more and more precise. Alderweireld was unlucky his excellent shot was denied by the inner part of the post, Rose, Eriksen and Son also tried their luck. Son simply could not shot at goal last night. Rose had some attempts, he was according to statistics man of the match, but he could not score. Eriksen's good shot was also denied by Brighton goalkeeper. Game looked very similar to one Spurs played against Burnley at home. That one was decided by Eriksen in the last minute. I was wondering can something similar happen here. Frustration went to maximum, I could not believe that Tottenham will fail to win Brighton and lose Champions League place for next season. Thoughts like if they can not beat Brighton what to search in Champions League next season etc...

Then Eriksen took the ball and fired up a bomb shot toward the goal. He founded little emptiness between 2 Brighton players and smuggled the ball-bomb between them which ended in the net for great celebration in stadium and eating grass of Brighton players. I am sure Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United fans were frustrated just like Brighton players. It was joy to look at Seagulls eating the grass of new Stadium. While this bunker tactics is legitimate it is never fun to watch games when one club is playing like this. If it is well known bus you can turn it on at some point and make some counter attack, but with this bunker you can just sit and defend and hope nothing will go in.

Brighton players showed skill in defending and blocking, but I think it will not be enough to stay in Premier League. Tottenham on the other hand showed that they have great problems at home ground when face clubs playing bunker. Poch says after the game Spurs have fatigue in both legs and heads. I feel they did not run enough in this game and that passes were to slow and easily predictable. They also did not show some long range shot skills (except Erisken and once Alderweireld). I hope against West Ham things will be better, because with this type of play more ambitious team like West Ham could catch us on counter attacks and ruin Champions League hopes.