Tottenham 1-4 Brighton: Seagulls spoil Spurs’ party but miss out on Europe

Even against a Spurs side nursing some sore heads, this was a performance to be proud of from Brighton.

They seemed surprised by Spurs’ early endeavour, perhaps expecting a more languid display from the home side.

But they got to grips with the game midway through the first half and really clicked into gear following Mitoma’s introduction at the break.

So front-footed was the Japanese winger that Fabian Hurzeler may privately admit he should have started the 32-year-old.

He was instrumental in running against tired legs, and earned the corner which led to Hinshelwood’s equaliser.

Fresh from his winner against Liverpool last week, the young Englishman smashed in from close range.

If his equaliser was crucial, his second was even better as he sharply backheeled a stunning effort past Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The goal relaxed the away side, who knew a point would be enough to seal eighth spot and that European qualification was essentially out of their hands as it required Chelsea to finish seventh and to win the Conference League.

But the Seagulls continued in search of more goals, finding a third through O’Riley from the spot for his first goal since November.

The pick of the bunch came late on from Gomez, when the Paraguayan curled a stunning effort past Vicario from long range in injury time.