BRIGHTON, England: Tottenham Hotspur battled from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Brighton & Hove Albion with Jan Paul van Hecke’s own goal giving the visitors a deserved share of the spoils on Saturday.
Van Hecke turned in a cross by Mohammed Kudus in the 82nd minute of an entertaining clash on the south coast with the point moving Spurs into second place in the Premier League.
Tottenham could even have snatched a win but will be reasonably content to maintain their strong start to the season under new manager Thomas Frank.
After five games they have 10 points with their only league defeat coming at home to Bournemouth.
Brighton, who will also feel they should have picked up their second win of the season, have five points.
“We have to be more ruthless sometimes. Be more stable in some moments,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said.
“But we have to see the positives.”
Tottenham began the game in strong fashion with Kudus a lively presence but they fell behind to a sucker punch.
Brighton stopped a Tottenham attack and Georginio Rutter’s first-time pass sent Gambia forward Yankuba Minteh who was just onside, racing clear and he coolly rounded Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to score with ease.
Tottenham then gifted the hosts a second goal with Lucas Bergvall giving the ball away deep on the right before Yasin Ayari struck a right-footed angled drive that Vicario should have kept out after getting a hand to it.
Richarlison pulled a goal back just before halftime, stabbing in from close range after controlling a low pass into the area by Kudus and Tottenham dominated the second half.
Substitute Xavi Simons was especially lively and was denied by a great save from Bart Verbruggen before side-footing another chance wide after more good work by Kudus.
Tottenham plugged away though and when Kudus again delivered a dangerous ball across the area it struck the thigh of Van Hecke and nestled in the goal.
Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton
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Tottenham battle back to earn 2-2 draw at Brighton
- Van Hecke turned in a cross by Mohammed Kudus in the 82nd minute of an entertaining clash
- “We have to be more ruthless sometimes,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said
Norris grabs the sprint pole at the Brazilian GP from title rivals
- “It was difficult and we did a good job,” Norris said on Friday.
- Norris is coming off a win in Mexico City and leads the driver standings by one point over Piastri. Verstappen was 36 points back
SAO PAULO: Lando Norris set up a chance to pad his one-point lead in Formula 1 by securing pole position for the sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Of his title rivals, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri will start third and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will be sixth.
“It was difficult and we did a good job,” Norris said on Friday.
Norris is coming off a win in Mexico City and leads the driver standings by one point over Piastri. Verstappen was 36 points back.
For the sprint pole, Norris beat Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by only 0.097 seconds and Piastri was just 0.185s behind.
“We did the job we needed to do which was to be fastest today,” Norris said.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was rapt with the results. Norris and Piastri were also 1-2 in the first practice on Friday.
“The mood is very positive,” Stella said. “We have what is needed. We have a fast car, two fast drivers, a team that is prepared and determined and we definitely will keep the fight going until the last corner in Abu Dhabi.”
Piastri has struggled lately; he’s winless in five races and has not reached the podium since Monza in Italy two months ago when he finished third.
Verstappen, who aims to become the fourth driver to win five world titles, knows how to win in Brazil after victories in 2019, 2023 and 2024, when he fought from 17th at the start.
“We are very excited by the idea that we could be the one that are attempting to kind of stop Verstappen’s dominance,” Stella said.
The Dutchman has shown great poise at Interlagos, a track featuring climbs and drops with changes of gradient. The middle sector has slow corners where aerodynamic downforce can make the difference.
The track is also renowned for its dramatic changes in weather. Rain is expected toward the end of Saturday and throughout Sunday. A year ago, the qualifying was canceled and moved to Sunday due to torrential downpours.
“It was a good day for us, but we will see tomorrow,” Piastri said with a smile. “it is going to be raining so everybody bring their rain jacket.”
