Is Frank Right to Call it Tottenham’s Most Complete Performance?

Tottenham Hotspur Show Resilience in Brighton Fightback

For the second season running, Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion produced a dramatic storyline. This time, there was no collapse to rue, no dressing room inquest. Instead, under Thomas Frank, Spurs clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit to rescue a point at the Amex and left feeling they had missed an opportunity to win.

Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in June, was bullish post-match, calling it their “most complete performance of the season”.

Frank’s Tactical Approach Takes Shape

“We conceded two goals but it is never that black and white,” Frank explained. “We defended well. The high pressure was very aggressive and we were winning the ball back more or less all the time. In phase one, we got out every time, more or less. We controlled it up there and we created many good opportunities. Counter-pressing and rest defending. On top of that, the mentality to come back from two goals down is so important.”

Brighton had their moments, stretching Spurs’ defence and targeting the space left by Destiny Udogie, who made his first start of the season. Frank called him “exceptional” and praised his driving runs, adding that “he was almost unstoppable going forward”. Yet the Seagulls repeatedly exploited the gaps he left, with Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter darting into the channels and Brajan Gruda forcing Micky van de Ven into a last-ditch intervention.

Photo: IMAGO

Key Performers and Missed Chances

Jan Paul van Hecke’s late own goal salvaged the draw, but Spurs had enough opportunities to take all three points. Frank was candid about Richarlison’s role, admitting that “if Richy had run in the right gaps, he could have scored maybe two more goals today”. There were moments where the Brazilian was slow to react to crosses from Wilson Odobert and Udogie, allowing Brighton to regroup.

Xavi Simons’ introduction after 61 minutes changed the game’s rhythm. The Dutch midfielder looked every inch a natural No 10, finding space between the lines and linking with Lucas Bergvall and Mohammed Kudus to apply sustained pressure. Within eight minutes of coming on, he had three sights of goal and repeatedly drew Brighton defenders out of position.

Signs of Progress Under Frank

Spurs’ mentality was tested after conceding twice inside half an hour, especially with this being their third game in eight days. Missing Randal Kolo Muani and coping without club-record signing Dominic Solanke could have been ready-made excuses. Instead, Frank and his coaching staff kept demanding more from the players and pushed for a winner right to the final whistle.

When Djed Spence and Archie Gray came on late, it looked like a defensive switch, but the pair combined brilliantly to create one last chance for Kudus, whose shot was deflected wide. That late energy summed up Spurs’ intent. They left the south coast frustrated rather than relieved.

Frank’s claim that this was Spurs’ most complete performance may have raised eyebrows given their 2-0 win over Manchester City and draw with Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the season, but it felt like a turning point. Spurs did not crumble as they had in previous meetings with Brighton. They showed aggression, patience and belief, qualities that could carry them through the rest of the campaign.