Rutter strikes late as Brighton deny Spurs in stoppage time

Spurs remain in the relegation zone. They are a point behind West Ham, who play at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Georginio Rutter scored at 95th minute equaliser for Brighton against Spurs. Pic: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire.

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Porro 39, Simons 77) Brighton 2 (Mitoma 45+3, Rutter 90+5) 

If only Tottenham could see out stoppage time without conceding goals, they would be celebrating their first victory under Roberto De Zerbi, and their first league win in 2026.

Instead, as has happened repeatedly, Spurs buckled in extended time at the end of each half to give up equalisers to Brighton. Pedro Porro's first half opener was equalised by Kaoru Mitoma in the 48th minute of the first half, and then when Xavi Simons looked to have hit a sensational winning goal in the 77th minute, Georginio Rutter hit back for the visitors five minutes into stoppage time.

At the final whistle, the fans celebrated the loudest were Brighton's, in contrast to the sense of deflation among the home support. Spurs fans had given their struggling side a rousing reception before kick-off, barely stopped singing and urging on their team, and were rewarded with a display of commitment, drive and energy. But in the end it was not enough as Brighton pegged them back to just one point, which is not enough to lift Spurs out of the relegation zone.

It also means Wolverhampton Wanderers have a reprieve, having lost earlier in the day to Leeds United. If Tottenham are to avoid relegation, they will need more displays like this and perhaps a bit of luck.

More than once they were denied by the woodwork and goal-line clearances, and could have been two goals ahead before half-time.

Roared on by a full house, Tottenham were quick out of the blocks and had the best of the early chances. Simons had a shot deflected away for a corner, Randall Kolo Muani volleyed over, and Destiny Udogie felt he should have had a penalty when he was bundled over in the Brighton box.

So it was well deserved when Porro put them ahead six minutes before half-time. Conor Gallagher, having his best game since arriving from Atletico Madrid in January, nicked the ball off Jan Paul van Hecke wide on the left and Dominic Solanke fed it to Simons. The Dutchman had his back to goal but chipped a delightful reverse pass into the goal area, where full-back Porro appeared from seemingly nowhere to get ahead of keeper Bart Verbruggen and head into the net.

The home support exploded with a mixture of joy and relief, and two minutes later Solanke set up Simons for a curled shot that clipped the far post. From the rebound, Porro fired in a ferocious drive that Verbruggen did well to tip over the bar.

But as the clock ticked towards half-time, Brighton hit back in style. Mitoma, on as a substitute for the injured Diego Gomez, met a deep Pascal Gross cross at the far post with a spectacular volley into the roof of the net. It was not quite Marco Van Basten in the 1988 European Championship final, but it was a superb strike.

Spurs regrouped and almost regained the lead when Gallagher closed down Verbruggen, the rebounding ball going just wide of goal. But Brighton showed more attacking intent, and it took last minute blocks and tackles from Gallagher and Kevin Danso to keep them at bay.

But Brighton continued to dither at the back and the hapless van Hecke was caught in possession again by Lucas Bergvall in the 77th minute. The young Swede passed to Simons, who cut in past two defenders before curling a powerful shot in off the far post. The roof of the stadium was in danger of coming off as the noise levels went up a notch, but nerves set in too. And with Spurs just minutes away from an invaluable victory, Rutter fired a powerful shot from 15 yards past Tottenham's stand-in keeper Antonin Kinsky, who had barely had a save to make for most of the game.

So Tottenham stay a point behind West Ham, who play at Crystal Palace on Monday. More displays like this, though, and they may yet survive.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Kinsky 6; Porro 7, Danso 7, Van de Ven 7, Udogie 6 (Spence 56); Bentancur 6 (Palhinha 67), Bissouma 7 (Gray 57), Gallagher 8 (Bergvall 76), Simons 9; Kolo Muani 5 (Tel 57), Solanke 7.

BRIGHTON: Verbruggen 8; Wieffer 6 (De Cuyper 76), Van Hecke 5, Boscagli 6, Kadioglu 6; Ayari 5 (Kostoulas 82), Gross 7, Hinshelwood 6; Gomez 6 (Mitoma 20), Welbeck 6 (Rutter 75), Minteh 7.