Tottenham player ratings vs Brighton - Udogie and Romero poor after strong Solanke first half

Here are our Tottenham Hotspur player ratings after their 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Tottenham threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Brighton on Sunday in the Premier League and here are our Spurs player ratings.

Spurs came into the match having won five in a row in all competitions and they arrived at the Amex Stadium just two-and-a-half days after their 2-1 victory at Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday night. Postecoglou named the same starting XI to face Brighton that triumphed 3-0 at Manchester United last Sunday.

Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur were rested on Thursday and returned to the team as did Destiny Udogie after coming off at half-time at United. Brennan Johnson had scored in five consecutive games and was looking to continue that streak. With Son Heung-min still out, Timo Werner made it three starts in a row with 17-year-old Mikey Moore on the bench after his eye-catching full debut in midweek.

Tottenham opened the scoring within 24 minutes when James Maddison won a ball back in the Brighton half, fed Dominic Solanke and the striker played a perfect ball through to Johnson, who finished expertly with a first-time finish to make it six goals in as many games.

After a spell of Brighton pressure, Spurs got a second goal through Maddison. Solanke sent Werner away down the left and he pulled it back inside to Maddison. The midfielder took a touch and curled a low shot that the diving Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbled through his hands and into the net.

Brighton grabbed a goal back early in the second half through some messy Spurs defending. Van de Ven missed an interception for a bouncing cross into the box and then Udogie made a mess of his attempted clearance and the ball fell to Yankuba Minteh to fire low into the bottom right corner of the net.

The hosts levelled before the hour mark. First Kaouru Mitoma found a way through some weak defending and then Georginio Rutter ran on to his pass, skipped past a couple of half-hearted tackles before burying a shot into the bottom corner.

Only five minutes or so later it was 3-2 to Brighton as Danny Welbeck headed home. Udogie and Bentancur were far too easily beaten by Rutter and he picked out the unmarked striker to head into the net. Tottenham huffed and puffed but it was always Brighton from that point who looked more likely to score again.

READ MORE: Mikey Moore's special night and the unsung Tottenham player Ange Postecoglou kept applauding

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou warns against Timo Werner judgement and gives positive Richarlison injury update

Here are our Tottenham player ratings from the game:

Guglielmo Vicario

Didn't have much to do in the first half other than a flying punch out from a cross. Saved low down from Mitoma in the second period and couldn't do much about Brighton's three shots which were all put out of his reach. 5

Pedro Porro

Got caught out of position for Brighton's first goal and offered little going forward compared to what he normally does. 5

Cristian Romero

Picked out Maddison's early run with a lovely lofted pass. Struggled to make an impact during both of Brighton's early second half goals with a half-hearted challenge before the second. Caught napping to allow Welbeck his unmarked headed goal midway through the second half. 4

Micky van de Ven

Made a couple of important interceptions in the first half. Missed one though when sliding across for Brighton's early second half goal. 5

Destiny Udogie

Back after missing the midweek match and he played well in the first half only to make a mess off trying to clear a cross and presenting the ball to Minteh to score. Put in a weak challenge on Rutter before he scored Brighton's second and was poor again with the same player for the third, getting himself nutmegged and beaten. A poor day at the office from the young Italian. 3

Dejan Kulusevski

Made a great early run that ended with a blocked shot in front of goal. Was one of Spurs' best players in the first half but struggled to find ways through in the second, playing in various positions. 7

Rodrigo Bentancur

A calm first half gave way to a lacklustre second period. Jogged back for the second goal with no urgency and he was far too laidback in the build-up to Brighton's third goal. 4

James Maddison

Took Romero's early pass down well and saw his half-volley blocked by a sliding challenge in front of goal. Soon after having a scrambled effort over the line ruled out for an earlier offside, he won the ball back to set Spurs away for Johnson's first half goal. He scored himself later in the half with a low effort that the keeper fumbled into the net. As with his team-mates he was quiet in the second half before coming off. 7

Brennan Johnson

Needed a better pass from Werner in the opening seconds. Made it six consecutive games with a goal when he made a great run on to Solanke's pass and finished clinically first time. Sent an effort just over on the run from Kulusevski's pass. Like his team-mates, unable to find a way through in the second half. 6

Dominic Solanke

Kept taking up great deep positions in the first half. Put Werner away with a great ball within 18 seconds and then did the same for Johnson to score midway through the half. Also had a major part to play in Tottenham's second goal with his strength and pass to Werner and then was involved in another first half move that ended with Johnson sent away. Barely saw the ball in the second half as the service dried up. 7

Timo Werner

Put an early ball too far in front of Johnson in the six yard box soon after the kick-off. Had the beating of his man every time but couldn't find the final ball. Grabbed an assist before the break though with a run and pull back to Maddison. Tried to make things happen in the second half without much joy. 5

Subs

Yves Bissouma

Almost gave away a penalty soon after coming on and took his time to get into the rhythm of the match. 5

Pape Matar Sarr

Didn't offer much after coming on in the final 15 minutes. 5

Mikey Moore

Came on for the final minutes and made a couple of dribbles down the left. N/A

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham on Spurs' emphatic Man Utd victory! Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Want breaking and top Tottenham stories sent straight to you? Join our Spurs WhatsApp community by clicking this link. If you're curious you can check out our privacy policy here.