Left wing-back call
Matt Doherty's season-ending knee injury meant Antonio Conte had to make a change to his Tottenham team that won at Aston Villa last time out. Sergio Reguilon, who replaced the Republic of Ireland international early on at Villa Park, was the man to come into the side as Ryan Sessegnon remained on the bench.
As the former Fulham ace appeared to be the first-choice left wing-back in Conte's system before picking up a hamstring injury against Everton, it certainly wasn't a straightforward decision for the boss to make. Reguilon had played more football out of the duo over the past month, and it was he that came into the team to face Brighton & Hove Albion.
With both in a big battle to become Conte's automatic choice at left wing-back, the head coach's selection between now and the end of the season could be telling what he believes is his strongest Spurs XI. Doherty's absence saw academy player Marcel Lavinier handed his chance on the bench for the first time this season.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings: Kulusevski and Reguilon struggle as Kane and Son fail to ignite
Wearing the No.57 shirt for Spurs, the ex-Chelsea youngster's name wasn't even included on the squad list on the back of the matchday programme. Lavinier does have experience of first-team football with Spurs in the past, though, having made his senior bow last season under Jose Mourinho as he came on for the final 16 minutes of their Europa League game against Wolfsberger AC.
Conte in the dugout
It has been a rather strange week for Antonio Conte and his Tottenham players leading up to the Brighton fixture. The head coach tested positive for Covid after last Saturday's win over Aston Villa and had to distance himself from the team as a result.
It meant Conte's coaching staff took training at Hotspur Way during the week as he kept his distance, while his pre-match press conference had to take place virtually because of the positive test. Making it clear in the press conference that he was feeling better, and it was looking like he would be back on the bench, the 52-year-old did indeed take his usual place in the technical area.
Despite testing for Covid last weekend, Conte, as per usual, was all action in the technical area as he appealed for every decision and shouted at his team as he looked for more from them. He wouldn't have been happy with what unfolded in front of his eyes, though.
Quiet Kulusevski
Making a huge impact in his first 13 games for Tottenham with three goals and six assists, Dejan Kulusevski had a rather quiet start to the Brighton game going on his usual high standards. Spurs were really struggling to impact proceedings, and the Swede just wasn't in the match.
It really didn't get any better for Kulusevski as the half wore on, with the player perhaps lucky not to see red after catching Marc Cucurella with his elbow after the Spaniard had tugged him back. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was clearly frustrated by his side's struggles upfield as midway inside the first half. He could be seen waving his arms about due to a lack of options ahead of him, with the player again doing the same on the hour mark as he made his feelings clear to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Tottenham did improve after the break as they created some openings, but their play came from the left flank. Needing to find a way to find the breakthrough, it came as no surprise to see Lucas Moura introduced and Kulusevski make way.
Kane's latest trick
Kane may not have been on the scoresheet in Tottenham's three games before Brighton, but he was still contributing in a big way with a number of assists. Registering five assists in that time, including two last times out at Aston Villa, the England captain almost got another to his name after the restart.
Usually pinging balls across the pitch to set his teammates free, Kane this time almost teed up Son following a quick throw. Seeing a gaping hole in the Brighton area, the 28-year-old grabbed the ball quickly and launched a long ball over a couple of defenders to pick out his teammate in the area.
Son took it down perfectly but unfortunately saw his effort on goal blocked as he looked to test Robert Sanchez. It would have been a moment of brilliance had the South Korean found the back of the net.
Missed opportunity
Coming into the game on the back of four successive wins in the Premier League, Tottenham fans were buoyant ahead of kick-off in N17. However, there wasn't much for them to shout about, with Conte's men really struggling to break down Brighton and take control of proceedings.
Instead, the Seagulls went home with all three points after Leandro Trossard picked up a loose ball in the box and prodded it into the far corner after a neat turn. In his pre-match press conference, Conte admitted that Spurs couldn't take Brighton lightly as they are a good team, and he was proved right, as they secured a win in north London for the second Saturday on the trot.
Quite how damaging this result is to Spurs' top-four aspirations remains to be seen. Missing a glorious chance to open up a six-point advantage over Arsenal prior to the Gunners taking on Southampton, today's results show there will be plenty more twists and turns in the race for Champions League football between now and now the final day.
