Leandro Trossard sends perfect message to Brighton fans after sublime Tottenham victory

The relief on Leandro Trossard's face at the final whistle was clear to see as his cleaver first half strike saw Brighton to their first Premier League home victory of the season against Tottenham
Leo Trossard celebrates Brighton's well worked goal against TottenhamLeo Trossard celebrates Brighton's well worked goal against Tottenham
Leo Trossard celebrates Brighton's well worked goal against Tottenham

Trossard gave the relegation-threatened Seagulls a major boost in the scrap for survival by ending his 19-game goal drought to earn a 1-0 success.

Victory for Graham Potter’s men was their first in 15 top-flight fixtures at the Amex Stadium and moves them seven points clear of the drop zone.

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"It’s a great result, we were nearly there against Fulham but it’s a sweet one," said Trossard. "We deserved it, we worked hard and had a lot of chances. We always try to finish off those actions

"I’m really happy for the team, to get a win at home as well, it’s special and we need to go on. We wanted to go at them, not let them play from the back. We defended well, kept it to nil and it’s a great result.

"You play one of the better teams and one chance can be enough, the whole team worked hard for it.

"We knew they would come at us, especially after half time but we worked hard and deserved it. It’s a confidence boost, we have worked hard all season, now we have won at home and we have a taste for more."

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Spurs created little in the absence of talisman Harry Kane, who suffered an ankle injury during Thursday’s defeat to Liverpool, and could have few complaints about a disappointing result which deals another major blow to their top-four aspirations.

Substitute Carlos Vinicius came closest to snatching a point for the visitors, while Gareth Bale – handed a rare start in Kane’s place – was ineffectual before being replaced in the 61st minute.

The defeat would have been heavier had Brighton forward Aaron Connolly not wasted a golden chance to put the result beyond doubt six minutes from time.

Tottenham were thumped 3-0 under Mauricio Pochettino on their last visit to Sussex and arrived this time having fallen out of title contention during a damaging past seven weeks.

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Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Jurgen Klopp’s champions left Mourinho’s men – who topped the table as recently as last month – with only nine points from the last 24 available, while also depriving them of leading man Kane.

The enforced absence of the England captain paved the way for Bale to make only his second top-flight start since his headline-grabbing return from Real Madrid as part of four changes, although he once again struggled to impress.

Mourinho also moved to tighten up his defence by bringing back Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld but his side were given a major wake-up call inside three minutes.

Brighton were dominant throughout and almost opened the scoring on three minutes. The excellent Pascal Gross was afforded time and space in the visitors’ box following neat interplay from Neal Maupay and Alexis Mac Allister before his effort with the outside of his right boot rebounded off the base of the left post.

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Spurs failed to heed the warning and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris – who had become only the 25th player to make 350 appearances for the north London club – was soon picking the ball out of his net.

Gross was once again heavily involved, playing a delightful one-two with Mac Allister on the right-hand side before cutting the ball back for the onrushing Belgian Trossard to sweep home his first goal since September at the near post.

Increasingly influential midfielder Mac Allister was pulling the strings and he, Maupay and captain Lewis Dunk were among those to threaten a second before the break.

Tottenham were better after the break but Brighton still created chances. France keeper Lloris – who suffered a serious elbow injury on his last visit to this ground – was required to keep out deflected efforts from Ben White and Mac Allister.

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Seagulls keeper Robert Sanchez was finally called into meaningful action 15 minutes from time when he superbly clawed away a stinging, goal-bound effort from Vinicius.

Brighton should have been home and dry late on but substitute Connolly somehow directed his shot straight at Alderweireld with the goal gaping after being teed up Gross.

The remarkable miss mattered little in the end as Potter’s men survived a nervy finish to claim a much-needed first top-flight win on home soil since a 2-1 success over Arsenal on June 20.

Tottenham manager Mourinho said, "We didn't start well. They could have scored immediately when they hit the post.

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"In the first half I felt the team was probably too sad with the goal conceded and the situation.

"There was a lack of energy. In the last 25, 30 minutes they gave everything but of course with some limitations. We couldn't score but at the same time gave them the chance to counter-attack.

"The boys showed great spirit in the second half and the boys showed they are suffering and they tried to fight against that sadness.

"They tried, so I have nothing negative to say about them. I leave the game with a good feeling about my boys because they tried hard in the second half.

"We tried everything but they defended everything, brought on another centre-back, and it was not possible for us to score."