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‘Worst since I’ve been here’ – Ange fumes as Tottenham bottle 2-0 lead in 3-2 defeat at Brighton

‘Worst since I’ve been here’ – Ange Postecoglou fumes as Tottenham bottle their 2-0 lead in a 3-2 defeat at Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

The 59 year old didn’t hold back when giving his verdict on the second half collapse after Tottenham bottled their 2-0 lead at half time.

Brennan Johnson and James Maddison had them two up at the break, before then conceding three goals within 18 minutes, with Brighton’s comeback completed by Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter, and Danny Welbeck.

Postecoglou was in disbelief come giving his post-match comments where he described the defeat as “unacceptable” and highlighted it as the most disappointing loss during his time at Tottenham.

This defeat not only marked a significant psychological blow but also statistically became a notable event, being the 10th time Tottenham have lost a Premier League game after leading by two or more goals, setting a dubious record in the league’s history.

The manager’s criticism was aimed around the team’s lack of fight and intensity, particularly in dealing with adversity.

He emphasised the need for mental resilience, indicating that his team failed to do so on this occasion, with the defeat coming after a run of five consecutive wins, which included notable victories against mna Utd, highlighting the inconsistency that has occasionally plagued Spurs under various managers.

Postecoglou’s tenure, which began with high hopes and an unbeaten start earning him back-to-back Premier League Manager of the Month awards, has seen moments of brilliance overshadowed by such losses, prompting strong reactions from Ange who always takes accountability or pushes his squad for better performance.

The result leaves Tittenham sitting 9th in the table with 10 points from 7 games played, while Brighton are up to 6th with 12 points from 7 games.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou to BBC Match of the Day: “Fair to say that the second half was unacceptable and we paid a price for that.

“We probably should have put it to bed in the first half. What we did in that second half is unacceptable and we got what we deserved.

“Maybe we just thought we’d roll out there and play well again and that’s not how it works and we paid for it.

“We’ve conceded before but it is how you react and our reaction wasn’t what it should be. It’s a bad day for us and when it’s a bad day the responsibility falls at my feet.”

Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports: “Disappointing. Frustrated and absolutely gutted with that. Worst defeat since I’ve been here. Unacceptable second half. Nowhere near where we should be. We got carried away with how were were going.

“We kind of accepted our fate and it is hard to understand as we’ve not done that while I’ve been here. We paid the price.

“The problem is we are travelling along too smoothly, football and life will trip you up if you get too far ahead of yourself.”

On message to the players: “There is no message. It is a terrible loss for us – as bad as it gets. Only one way to fix it and that’s my responsibility.

“We lost all our duels and if you’re not competitive it is not going to work – we were not competitive.

“They all go international duty the majority of them. They will process it individually and I will process it when everyone gets back.”

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison, speaking to Sky Sports about changes from the first to the second half: “Not 100% sure.

“We couldn’t deal with the momentum shift. We lost control of the game when the first goal went in. We dealt with momentum poorly and couldn’t get any control of the game – it felt like attack after attack.

“They are a good side and have good players. Adversity in the Premier League – you have got to stay strong and weather the storm – we definitely didn’t do that.

“We have been on a good run, but it feels like a couple of steps back today.

“We were saying all the right things to not get complacent, but words mean nothing if you don’t go out and show it.”

Fabian Hurzeler speaking to PLP after his side’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham:

“My team deserved to win, they worked hard and focused on the things they could control.

“I think Tottenham always have a great start. They play with intensity and we were not ready for that. We also created chances but defensively we have to improve.

“We focused on the positive things, the second important thing was to win the duels to build self-confidence. The players worked hard to gain flow and they used it.

“In general I leaned nothing new, this is always possible in football. When you are 2-0 down it is not easy but it was important to stay positive and I’m really happy for the players.”

 Hurzeler, speaking to Sky Sports: “The first half it was not a tactical thing that we conceded the two goals.

“It was playing with intense, fulfilling the match-plan with energy – that was the main topic. That is what I had to get back at half-time. It is the job from the players they played an amazing second half and did enough to win.”

On confidence within the team: “I think little bit was missing. Being ruthless is the most important, in the duels we were not ruthless and if you win the personal duels and get the ball into the opponents half you get self confidence – that was the biggest change.

“Tottenham had some moments, but most of the time we controlled transitions.

“I always say ‘we have enough quality to always score’. It is always important to learn from the first half.”

On attacking players: “In every team it is important to have individual quality – the four players in front they shouldn’t define themselves on individual quality. They should define themselves on how they work for the team.

“I am happy for them – they worked hard and they deserved it.”

On Danny Welbeck: “He is very free. He seems to be young, he is in great shape and he has taken care of himself.

“He is a role model for young players. It is impressive to play in the Premier League with a big age.

“I enjoy working with him, he’s a big professional and a lot of young players should see how hard he works and see what is possible in the football career.”

On Brighton’s impressive comeback: “In the process it is normal to have bad performances as the process is not linear, it’s up-and-down – you have to accept these downs.

“You have to focus on your own quality and that is what I said to the team – focus on the process.

“That is how you react from bad performances.”

Brighton’s forward Danny Welbeck, speaking to Sky Sports after the game said: “It is obviously amazing to win the game and get the three points. In the first half we were bitterly disappointed and frustrated – the performance we put in was embarrassing. Nothing we want to be part of, but we showed our character. The attitude was right in the second half we come out and fought.

“We have got to give credit to the senior boys who are not in the pitch the likes, of Steely [Jason Steele] and Milner [James Milner] – they told us the bare minimum is we’ve got to fight. Everyone is together in this.

“We are wanting to be challenging the establishment like the management touched upon.”

On Rutter’s assist for his goal Welbeck said: “I nicknamed him velcro as his touch sticks to him – it was a nice assist.”

Brighton’s forward Georginio Rutter, speaking to Sky Sports: “We are happy and stayed together like the coach said ‘we have to believe’. Today is what we do. We have three points so we’re happy.

“What we said at half-time was ‘it’s not about tactics, it’s about fighting’.”

Twitter users gave their thoughts while Ange fumes as Tottenham bottle 2-0 lead in the 3-2 defeat at Brighton…

@craig_pankhurst: Ange has to shoulder the blame for this. No changes at all until we’d lost control of the match and were losing from 2-0 up. We play such high-intensity pressing he has to recognise when the team needs freshening up. He sits on his hands for far too long.

@LukeBullen10: Awful attitude from the players in the second half. Thought the game was already won. Got complacent and payed the price. Been on a good run of wins but not against top quality opposition and started to believe our own hype. Today was rude awakening. A lot of work to do.

@GuySports_: He never looks you in the eyes, does he? Wants to hide away after defeats all the time.

@SB8308715342770: What did you do ange mate to change it? Nothing! we deserved that, learn from it please stop zoning out and manage in game 🙏🏾

@aron_seb85252: Unbelievable. Looked like they felt they had it in bag & didn’t need to bother in 2nd half. Have to say too that AngeBall doesn’t allow for shape & tactical defensive work. There is only Plan A.

@leetb77: Ange ball is great until you go 2 up and then just carry on without any game management, especially knowing your opposition is going to change things up. Never a plan B to see the win out, he needs to change that side of his game quickly.

@Halfway_Nayim: You could see the game changing in the last 15 minutes of the first half. It wasn’t just the second half that was poor.

@JimmyBCSpurs: Unacceptable yet you stood there looking completely gormless while the players had lost control of the game. You said you were happy with the squad. Use it! #MoronBall

@peter_risley: 100% his fault for not changing it earlier

@arnott_marc: Make changes earlier when you feel the games going.

@MalcolmNichola1: Although honest, he has the resources to get the best out of these professionals. Why does he keep picking Werner? Isn’t there another formation that can be adapted? If Tottenham want to win trophies, they have to be the best side for the whole game. I thought reading a game

@jk22262: Zero eye contact. He hates that guy.

@RobinsonDarryl: Can’t even look at the camera says it all complete embarrassment in the 2nd half somebody tell Ange to consider some game management absolute chaos in relation to tactics.

@harwood_steve: Unacceptable yet you just stood there is your clueless way! The mentality of this team is down to you and you obviously give no positive vibes that the team can defend well when teams start playing football & apply pressure You’re the manager & it’s your job to correct this

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