Tottenham hit with severe relegation setback after Brightons late leveller

Facing a desperate fight to avoid their first drop to the lower division since 1976/77, Tottenham needed a lively opening against Brighton to rally the supporters.

A flat beginning where they posed few threats up front failed to achieve that, though the contest soon gained momentum when vulnerabilities surfaced for the home side.

A lengthy free kick remained in play at the back post thanks to Jack Hinshelwoods nod back into danger, which Micky van de Ven deflected onto his own upright, leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in tense anticipation as the sphere trickled along the goal line.

This incident marked a shift for Tottenham, who took the lead just before the interval.

A clever play from Xavi Simons involved lofting the ball beyond the Brighton backline, allowing Pedro Porro to steal ahead of Bart Verbruggen and nod home for the home team.

The single strike almost doubled for Roberto De Zerbis outfit right away, with Simons striking the upright within moments of the second half starting, followed by Porros rebound attempt drawing a brilliant save from Verbruggen to maintain the margin at one.

However, true to Tottenhams pattern in the 2025/26 campaign, their lead vanished prior to the end of the first half, and quite spectacularly, with replacement Kaoru Mitoma smashing a exquisite left foot volley high into the net after Pascal Grosss cross left him free at the far upright.

This strike altered the matches direction decisively, yet the visitors could not capitalise on their dominance after the break and even risked conceding when Simons shot was stopped in the second periods middle stages, while Verbruggen stayed sharp to parry Joao Palhinhas subsequent attempt.

It grew clear that Tottenham required some luck to secure the victory, and Simons delivered it by drifting inwards onto his stronger right boot near the penalty areas edge before firing a powerful shot that rebounded off the post into the goal.

Tottenham defended resolutely in the final moments, only to suffer a devastating setback in the 95th minute as substitute Rutter found space inside the box to finish the equaliser, a result sure to spark joy in Nottingham and East London since it keeps De Zerbis side rooted in the relegation zone with only five matches left.