Brighton withstand late comeback to beat Spurs in 6-goal thriller
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Tottenham went down in a six-goal thriller at Brighton on Thursday.
Spurs, this season's early pacesetters, remain in fifth spot after losing 4-2 despite threatening an astonishing comeback from 4-0 down against Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton.
Spurs, on a run of three straight league wins, looked sharp from the kick-off, putting Brighton under immediate pressure but the home side settled quickly and started stroking the ball around.
Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made a fine early save to keep out a firmly struck side-footed shot from Danny Welbeck from just outside the six-yard box, leaving the forward smiling in disbelief.
But Brighton were ahead minutes later when Jack Hinshelwood finished with brutal power following a weaving run from Joao Pedro along the edge of the penalty area.
The home side doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute through Pedro, who took full advantage after Dejan Kulusevski was penalised for a pull on Welbeck.
Veteran defender James Milner rattled the post with a curling shot just after the half hour as Brighton threatened to put the result beyond doubt.
But Tottenham continued to create chances and Richarlison hit the post with a stinging effort after a surging run from Brennan Johnson.
Brazil forward Richarlison twice had the ball in the net after the break but both times he was ruled offside.
Pervis Estupinan stretched the lead with a thunderbolt from 30 yards in the 63rd minute and Pedro scored a second penalty in the 75th minute.
Alejo Veliz grabbed what appeared to be a consolation goal in the 81st minute but it galvanised the visitors.
Ben Davies headed home Pedro Porro's deep cross as Spurs threatened to cut through every time they poured forward, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hitting the post during nine minutes of stoppage time.
But Brighton withstood the intense pressure to take all three points.
"I am really lucky to be this coach of this team with these players," De Zerbi told the BBC. "I am very pleased with the passion they have, they have everything.
"You can't forget we are Brighton. Sometimes they forget we are Brighton. We are not Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle or Arsenal, we are still Brighton."