Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Albion failed to capitalise on several second-half chances as Spurs took full advantage of some generous referring decisions.
Tottenham penned Albion back for a majority of the first half as full backs Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose both pushed forward.
The last time an England World Cup semi-final scorer played a league match against Albion was Bobby Charlton for Preston in 1973 at the Goldstone.
The nearest either team came to scoring in the first half was Dier’s deflected header which Maty Ryan expertly punched away.
In truth Spurs third choice keeper Paulo Gazzaninga didn’t even get his gloves dirty as Albion failed to provide Glenn Murray with any ammunition.
Just as the teams looked like cruising to a goalless first half, a free kick given away on the edge of the area by Gaetan Bong was fired at the wall on the edge of the penalty area.
Glenn Murray was adjudged to have handled the ball as he protected his face. With no appeals from Spurs players, referee Chris Kavanagh gave Tottenham a penalty.
Harry Kane emphatically fired the spot kick past Ryan, to put Spurs in front just before half time.
At the break there was a poignant moment as Albion played Chas n Dave’s Ain’t No Pleasing You as a tribute to Chas Hodges who passed away earlier in the day. Both sets of fans gave hearty applause.
The Seagulls showed a little more ambition in the second half.
Knockaert saw his shot deflected over then Solly March, virtually absent in the first half, showed great skill to skip past Rose, but Albion still couldn’t capitalise.
Albion’s best chance fell again to Knockaert after great inter-play between Yves Bissouma and substitute Beram Kayal.
Knockaert was one on one with Gazzangia but took an extra touch and tamely played the ball into to keeper’s arms from close range.
Not long and after a sustained period of Spurs pressure, Erik Lamela doubled Tottenham’s lead with a shot swept into the bottom right hand corner.
Kane had at least three chances to make it three but each time Ryan made a superb save.
Deep into injury time Knockaert scampered clear and from a tight angle pulled one back for Albion. This was timed at 90+3.
Agonisingly for Albion there was one more chance but Knockaert instead of sliding a ball through for Murray, tried to pick his spot but Gazzangia smothered his effort in what was virtually the last kick of the match.
Knockaert’s goal sends Albion up to 13th in the Premier League, courtesy of having scored one goal more than Southampton, but otherwise having an identical record.
The Seagulls take on Manchester City at the Ethihaad next Saturday 29 September.
