Premier League: Player ratings for Spurs against Brighton with Son Heung-Min 8 and Harry Kane just 6

Alex Broun 01:01 18/04/2018
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  • Harry Kane was desperate to score against Brighton

    With their focus clearly on the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Saturday, this was a tame performance from a much-changed Tottenham Hotspurs against Brighton.

    They seemed more intent on getting Golden Boot contender Harry Kane on the score sheet in the first half rather than winning the match, although they did grow into it in the second half as they strove for a winner.

    Kane got his goal on 48 minutes, thanks to some extraordinary back spin that kept the ball in for Son Heung-Min to tee him up, while Brighton struck back less than two minutes later through a penalty to Pascal Gross to earn a deserved 1-1 draw.

    Here are our player ratings:

    Hugo Lloris – 6: Made an important stop in the 18th minute but didn’t have to do much else during the match, still lacking authority and appears tentative at times, almost a disastrous slip in final moments

    Toby Alderweireld – 6: Long-awaited return to the starting line-up, his first appearance in the Premier League since October, tidy at the back and one chance in second half, four clearances – the most by a Spurs player on the night, one tackle and one blocked shot.

    Jan Vertonghen – 7: Untroubled for most of the night, marshalled his back line effectively. A less-organised defence may have struggled against a game Brighton team. Made three tackles – the most by a Spurs player

    Serge Aurier – 6: A rare start for the right-back, Pochettino would have hoped for him to get forward more and provide more crosses. He gave away the penalty early in the second half with a rash challenge. Tried to redeem himself by getting forward in the second half.

    Ben Davies – 6: A solid showing rather than an outstanding one from the left-back, Pochettino would have liked him to get forward more.

    Son Heung-min – 8: Worked hard down the left, as usual, and had the best chance in the first half that was well saved by Matt Ryan. Battled well to set up Kane’s opening goal, tireless.

    Victor Wanyama – 6: Made some good, surging runs forward but distribution not as crisp as he would have liked. Often beaten for the second ball in midfield. Made 84 passes with 86.9-per-cent passing accuracy and zero key passes

    Moussa Sissoko – 5: Not at his best and showed why he has not been a regular starter for much of the season. Made a few good passes and runs but failed to put his stamp on the game. Replaced on 74 minutes as Pochettino searched for the winner. Zero tackles, zero interceptions

    Christian Eriksen – 7: Was his regular tricky self as he tried hard to find the killer pass for Kane. Began to dominate in the second half finding Moura with a peach of a pass that should have led to a goal. Three shots and four key passes

    Lucas Moura – 5: Dangerous at times but missed badly when perfectly teed up by Eriksen in the second half. Needs to take his limited chances better than tonight. Replaced on 74 minutes by Lamela. Dispossessed four times, with one poor control

    Harry Kane – 6: Desperate to peg back Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the race for the Golden Boot but over-eagerness saw him mistime his runs in the first half. In the right place to finish well for first goal and became more dangerous as game went on. Replaced on 84 minutes.

    Substitutions:

    Erik Lamela – 5: Had a good chance late in the second half to steal it for Spurs but his tame shot was easily saved, lost the ball once

    Moussa Dembele – 6 (74 mins): Instantly made an impact with a powerful box to box run, Spurs immediately looked more dangerous with the Belgian on the field

    Fernando Llorente – N/A: Got into good positions without really getting involved, only one pass while on the field

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