Tottenham showed signs of life against Brighton but only managed to secure one point as the game ended 2-2 in North London.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side took the lead twice through Pedro Porro and Xavi Simons, but the Seagulls responded through Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games.
The late draw came as a hammer blow to Tottenham’s hopes of survival. They find themselves a point behind West Ham and the gap could be extended to five if the Hammers beat Crystal Palace later today.
Nevertheless, the game against Brighton was a step in the right direction for Tottenham. However, Micah Richards feels De Zerbi made a tactical blunder that cost his side.
Richards baffled by Tottenham’s pressing
In the second half, Tottenham did well to stifle Brighton and grew into the game. And Xavi Simons appeared to win the game for the home side with a thunderous strike from outside the box as they edged closer to halting their winless run.
However, despite taking the lead, De Zerbi’s side opted to play front-footed football as opposed to sitting back to secure the points.
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Richards feels they missed the boat after taking the lead, as he questioned the Italian for making his full-backs press high up the pitch at that stage of the game.
“Some of the decisions when they were 2-1 up were mind-blowing,” began Richards on Rest is Football.
“You’ve got the Tottenham full-backs trying to press the Brighton strikers. Xavi Simons, at this point, is struggling with a cramp.
“Just sit in, that’s all you have to do. They are used to being in that low block in recent times and have only gotten a bit more expansive since De Zerbi came in. Some of his decision-making, I can’t get on board with that.
“They are experienced players. I know they’re going through a difficult time and confidence is massive in football, but some of the decisions they made at 2-1 were remarkable. They need to sort that out.”
Brighton performance typifies De Zerbi-ball
When Tottenham got De Zerbi on board, they signed up knowing full well what they were going to get.
This is a manager who always likes his teams to play on the front foot, which is what they tried to do against Brighton.
Granted, they were pegged back by a late goal that could well cost them their Premier League status.
However, there were signs that his players really bought into his philosophy as Tottenham showed a fighting spirit they have largely lacked this season.
De Zerbi’s contract doesn’t have a relegation clause, so he will be at the club next season regardless of what happens.
With that being the case, they might as well commit to his ideas wholeheartedly as they continue to pursue Premier League safety.
