Tottenham vs Brighton LIVE updates and latest score as Xavi Simons scores stunner

1 hour ago 30

Tottenham can move up to 16th place with victory over Roberto De Zerbi's former side Brighton and Hove Albion, who they host in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Albion are in red-hot form having won five of their past six matches and they also held Spurs to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Amex back in September when Tottenham fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a point.

Now the situation is desperate for the Europa League winners as they head into the contest in the relegation zone and without a top-flight win since December 28.

Additionally, Tottenham have won just two home matches in the Premier League all season and have not tasted victory on home soil since December 6 when they ran out 2-0 winners over Brentford.

You can keep up to date with all the latest updates from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as we build towards kick-off at 5:30pm.

19:09KEY EVENT

GOAL! Spurs 2-1 Brighton (Xavi Simons)

WHAT A GOAL.

Xavi Simons has dragged Spurs out of the relegation zone again (for now) with an a thunderbolt.

He gets hold of the ball on the edge of the box, makes some room and then fires in a stunner off the post.

Unreal from the Dutchman.

19:09Matt Maltby

Nervy times for Spurs

Spurs living on the edge, with Brighton knocking on the door. The hosts are still in this game though, with Porro flying in with a meaty challenge but he loses the ball.

Minteh goes on the attack but Spurs manage to wrestle the ball back. Nervy times in north London. Still 1-1. Feels like there's another goal in this.

19:09Matt Maltby

Tight contest

All to play for at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Gallagher going close a moment ago. But Brighton continue to push forward and look dangerous when they get behind the Spurs defence.

The home side need to ride this wave and find a second.

19:09Matt Maltby

Back underway

We're back underway and Brighton are on the front foot right now. Like at the end of the first half, the visitors are dominating the ball and are playing deep in Spurs' half...

19:09KEY EVENT

It's level at the break.

Tottenham need to show their teeth in the second half. 1-1 at the break.

19:09KEY EVENT

Brighton equalise.

Brighton equalise just before the break. Great strike by Mitoma to be fair.

19:09Jake Stokes

Five added minutes

There will be a minimum of five added minutes.

19:09Jake Stokes

Tottenham hit the post!

Xavi Simons has hit the post from close range! How has he not scored?!

19:09KEY EVENT

GOAL!

Tottenham take the lead just before the break! Pedro Porro heads home! Five minutes or so, plus added time, left until the break.

19:09Jake Stokes

WOW

Brighton almost go ahead, but Tottenham manage to clear their lines. Micky van de Ven almost puts it in his own net, but his clearance rebounds off the post. Close!

19:09Jake Stokes

We're back underway

There was just a lengthy stoppage in play. Mitoma has replaced the injured Gomez.

19:09Jake Stokes

Tottenham denied penalty

Minteh just brought Udogie down inside the Brighton box, but VAR have confirmed the on-field decision. No penalty.

19:09Jake Stokes

Referee lays down the law

Mats Wieffer has just had a stern warning from the referee after a meaty challenge.

19:09Jake Stokes

Promising start

It's still early days, of course, but Tottenham have looked good so far.

19:09KEY EVENT

We're underway!

We're underway here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!

19:09Jake Stokes

Atmosphere is building

Every Tottenham fan here today has been given a flag to cheer on the team. The atmosphere is building ahead of kick-off!

19:09Jake Stokes

Udogie backs De Zerbi

Speaking to Sky Sports, Destiny Udogie tipped Roberto De Zerbi to lead Tottenham to safety.

The Spurs defender said: "Obviously, I personally, I knew he was a really great manager and I think since the first day he came, he brought his own style of play and I think he has quite given us the right tools to go into the game and to show our style.

"From the first day he said it’s really important we stay positive, we help each other on the pitch, off the pitch, to build the right connection.

"And I think it’s the right way to end the season, to have six games to go and it’s really important every day we come with the right mindset, the right attitude and just stay positive as much as we can."

Destiny Udogie of Tottenham Hotspur in action against Brighton (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

19:09Jake Stokes

De Zerbi welcomes Maddison back

Roberto De Zerbi described James Maddison as a 'top player' ahead of his long-awaited return to the matchday squad. The Spurs boss said: "There are a lot of different types of leader.

"The leader who talks inside of the dressing room, the leader with the ball, the leader in the tough moment, the leader because he helps the team-mates.

"I think to be a stronger team we need many many leaders, for sure Maddison is different, Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch."

(Image: The FA via Getty Images)

19:09Jake Stokes

De Zerbi believes in his players

Speaking to reporters at Hotspur Way on Friday afternoon, Roberto De Zerbi outlined his plan to rebuild the players' confidence. The Tottenham boss said: "I believe in the people. I believe in the human relationship. I believe in the spirit.

"I believe in the soul of the players, before speaking about tactical dispositions, style of play, defensive play, with the ball, without the ball, set pieces… these things are important but, first of all, I work with people, with their problems.

"There are a lot of players and we have to build or rebuild or find in these last weeks the best relationship we can find. I want to see on the pitch players help their team-mates and push everybody for one target and to achieve our big, big target for us, because if we don't achieve our target, everyone loses something in their career..."

Roberto De Zerbi speaks to Lucas Bergvall ahead of his first training session as Tottenham Hotspur head coach

19:09Matt Maltby

Maddison back on the bench!

19:09Jake Stokes

There's a first for everything...

Roberto De Zerbi will write himself into the history books this evening.

Funnily enough, the Italian's first home Premier League game in charge of Brighton was against Tottenham Hotspur in October 2022, losing 1-0.

When the Lilywhites face Fabian Hurzeler's side, it'll be the first time in the competition's history that a manager's first home game in charge of two clubs has been the same fixture.

Roberto De Zerbi during Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Brighton (Image: Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

19:09Ryan Taylor

How Brighton line up

Here's the Brighton team, they are top of the Premier League form table.

Albion: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Ayari, Groß; Gomez, Hinshelwood, Minteh; Welbeck.

The Seagulls are unchanged following their recent win on the road at Burnley.

19:09KEY EVENT

Full Spurs line-up and subs

Here's the Tottenham team in full...

19:09Ryan Taylor

Tottenham team news is in

Roberto De Zerbi has made four changes to the Tottenham side that lost 1-0 at Sunderland.

Xavi Simons, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Kevin Danso come in for Richarlison, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Cuti Romero drop out.

Importantly, James Maddison returns to the squad, which nobody really saw coming.

Great news for Tottenham, though it's unclear whether he will get minutes today.

19:09Ryan Taylor

Hello

Welcome to our live coverage of Tottenham vs Brighton!

As you may already be aware, Leeds are currently beating Wolves 2-0 at Elland Road.

If they hold onto that lead and run out victors, they will move nine points clear of Spurs.

Not ideal news heading into what is an absolutely huge game.

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