Tottenham star glad for the final whistle in win at Brighton

Goals from Harry Kane and Erik Lamela put Spurs 2-0 ahead, before Anthony Knockaert got a goal back in the third of four added minutes.

There was still time after the goal for Knockaert to have a shot saved by Paulo Gazzaniga and Rose said afterwards: "If the game had gone on for another five minutes, I dread to think what could have happened. But we stuck together, we fought and we'll all get ready for Wednesday and go again.

"The most important thing was the win, one way or another. We were brilliant first half, we controlled the game and did everything the manager asked of us.

"The goal we conceded at the end is something I'll have to look at because it's come from my side and it shouldn't have happened but overall I'm happy."

The win ended a run of three successive defeats for Tottenham and Rose said: "If I look over the last few years, we don't start great and normally pick up momentum in October, November and we always have a strong Christmas period.

"Today was a great start in hopefully picking up some momentum."

Tottenham striker Harry Kane added: "It’s a massive win, massive for momentum, for belief.

"Our energy was great. We pressed hard, everyone worked hard around the pitch and got what we deserved.

"Everyone battled, everyone pressed - and that’s when we’re at our best.

"That’s when we start to find gaps because we wear teams down and that’s what happened, especially in the second half, we could have scored three or four more and finished it off but we didn’t and had to fight right until the end but sometimes that makes it feel that much sweeter."