Tottenham renewed their pursuit of a place in the Premier League top four as they came from behind to beat Brighton in north London.
The result temporarily lifts Spurs up to fifth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who host Southampton later on Thursday.
Adam Webster had given the visitors a richly deserved lead, heading in from Pascal Gross’ right-wing delivery towards the end of the first half.
However, Spurs, who played at a pedestrian pace during the first period, raised their tempo after the interval to fight back.
Harry Kane levelled matters with a right-foot shot into the bottom left corner after Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan had brilliantly parried his first effort.
And Dele Alli’s sublime lobbed finish then found the top left corner to complete the turnaround.
It ensured Brighton’s miserable record on 26 December continued – with the Seagulls now winless in their last 11 games on this date.
Tottenham won 60% of their Premier League matches while finishing fourth last term and although this win ensured an improvement (71%) on that ratio during Mourinho’s first seven games in charge, the Portuguese boss still faces a significant challenge to steer his side into a Champions League place at the end of the season.
Defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea have been damaging in that respect and Tottenham went into this match needing 15 victories from their remaining 20 games just to replicate last season’s 71-point tally.
But the manner of this victory and the second-half performances of Kane, Alli and Lucas Moura will at least provide Mourinho with optimism.
Mourinho had won just one of his last 21 Premier League matches when his side trailed at the interval but that trio galvanised Tottenham after the break, prompting their recovery.
Brazil winger Moura was pivotal to that, instigating many of Tottenham’s attacks and helping to shift the momentum of the game.
While in Kane, Spurs have one of the deadliest finishers in the top flight.
England forward had the ball in the net with his first chance midway through the first half, but the video assistant referee deemed he was offside when receiving Harry Winks’ long pass.
Kane was then brilliantly denied by Ryan but exhibited his predatory instincts to drive in a follow-up and bring up his eighth goal in five Premier League games on 26 December.
Alli, who covered more ground than any other home player, continued his and Spurs’ resurgence under Mourinho, with an exquisite finish to register his fourth Premier League goal under his new manager.
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Source – BBC
