Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Rutter strikes late to dent Spurs’ survival push

Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Spurs appealed for a penalty in the ninth minute after Destiny Udogie went down in the area under the challenge of Yankuba Minteh, but nothing was awarded after a VAR check.

Xavi Simons came close to opening the scoring after he met a corner on the volley, but his deflected strike flew wide of the far post. Randal Kolo Muani blasted over the resulting corner.

Micky Van de Ven almost turned the ball into his own net, stabbing the ball against his own post under pressure from Minteh’s delivery. The ball rolled agonisingly across the goalline before being cleared.

Danny Welbeck could’ve given the visitors the lead after he met Pascal Gross’ free kick, but Antonin Kinsky kept out his header.

Pedro Porto gave Spurs the lead in the 39th minute after he met Simons’ chipped pass to finish past Bart Verbruggen.

Simons almost doubled the hosts’ lead after he teed up with Dominic Solanke, but his strike struck the post. Bart Verbruggen denied Porro on the rebound.

Kaoru Mitoma equalised for the Seagulls in added time, connecting with Gross’ cross at the far post with a sharp volley.

Brighton began the second half on the front foot, but Verbruggen nearly handed the Lilywhites the lead when his clearance struck Connor Gallagher and spun just wide.

Simons and Joao Palhinha had chances to put Spurs ahead before the former finally made it 2-1 in the 77th minute with a stunning strike.

Ferdi Kadioglu almost restored parity for the visitors, but his effort flashed just wide.

Georginio Rutter drew the Seagulls level in stoppage time. Jan Paul Van Hecke dispossessed Kevin Danso to find the Frenchman who finished past Kinsky.

Tottenham are still in the relegation zone, sitting 18th in the Premier League standings with only six games remaining.