Ange Postecoglou hails Tottenham response to 'really disappointing' first half

The Lilywhites rose into the top four of the Premier League table thanks to a dramatic comeback at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Brighton — without the suspended Roberto De Zerbi — took an early lead through a Pascal Gross penalty.

Tottenham spurned a handful of promising openings to draw level before the half-time whistle sounded, but the visitors were full value for their advantage in a stop-start battle, where fouls on both sides were commonplace.

However, Tottenham drew level just after the hour mark, as Pape Sarr's attempted cutback was intercepted by Lewis Dunk, but the Brighton defender could only deflect the ball onto the post, offering Sarr a simple tap-in from the rebound.

Sarr's strike preceded a raucous reception for the returning Son Heung-min — making his first appearance since the Asian Cup as a second-half substitute — although Brighton soon took the game by the scruff of the neck as Tottenham lost their defensive shape.

The Lilywhites weathered that defensive storm, though, and with six minutes of injury time on the board, a last-gasp Tottenham attack ended with Son squaring for fellow substitute Brennan Johnson to tap home at the back stick.

Mayhem reigned supreme inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs recorded their fifth Premier League home win on the bounce, and Postecoglou unsurprisingly talked up his side's mentality and character after the contest.

«Fair to say the first half wasn't great. Part of that is because Brighton are a good side, they're well coached