Opinion: Player ratings from Tottenham’s FA Cup victory against Brighton

Tottenham grabbed a comfortable win against Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

We take a look at how each individual did for Spurs:

Hugo Lloris – 7 – Despite Brighton having long periods of dominating the ball, the Frenchman had relatively little to do. Made a comfortable save from March in the first half before an excellent save from Bissouma’s first deflected effort in the second half, but could do nothing about his second. Stayed big to collect Maupay’s effort just after Kane’s second goal, an all-around assured performance from the captain.

Emerson Royal – 7 – Lively performance from the man who remains Spurs’ number one choice at right wing-back. Got forward a lot to support the forwards, if as always seems to be the case, he did not create much. The obvious exception being the cross – that was seemingly aiming for no one but, a Solly March deflection took it in past Sanchez. Still, it seems the 23-year-old will improve under Conte, but perhaps not to the level required.

Davinson Sanchez – 7 – Looked the most solid among the starting back three, never looking anything more than at-ease and managing to support Emerson at times going forward.

Cristian Romero – 6 – The first game back after a long injury for Argentina international was certainly encouraging. In the centre of the back three, he made a good block after a deflected Lamptey cross in the first half, but could not stay with Bissouma for his goal. Nevertheless, excellent to see him back in Lilywhite.

Ben Davies – 6 – Made some good runs to support Reguilon and often get ahead of the Spaniard, but little came from them. Did what he needed to at the back and produced an excellent crossfield ball for Kane in the second half that got a ‘wow’ from some in the crowd.

Sergio Reguilon – 7 – Looked energetic running up and down the left, often being found in space by the central attackers. He played a nice little one-two with Son in the second half but a quality cross was lacking and fired a shooting opportunity straight at Sanchez late on.

Harry Winks – 7 – Kept the midfield ticking over when Spurs actually had possession, contributed to the press, being aggressive in the tackle and even had an effort from 25 yards that tested Sanchez. Was replaced by Bentancur 15 minutes from time.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6 – Picked up an assist for Kane’s opener after working hard to press high and, like Winks, kept the ball well when Spurs had possession.

Lucas Moura – 6 – The Brazilian winger worked hard as Spurs’ press was relentless, but was not really involved in Spurs’ best moments going forward. Replaced by new boy Kulusevski shortly after Tottenham’s third.

Son Heung-Min – 7 – His first appearance since the loss at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup semi-final first leg, Sonny looked back to his best contributing to the press and being part of some fast-paced counter-attacks. It was not until just before he was taken off that we saw some classic Son magic, however, when it came, it was like he had never been away. The South Korean picked up the ball on halfway, accelerated, and tore through the middle of Veltman and Webster. A deflection off Webster gave Kane a tap-in, an excellent way to cap off a good comeback.

Harry Kane – 10 – A typically excellent performance from the England captain. Gifted a chance by Brighton ‘keeper Sanchez that he could not quite contort his body for, to get enough pace on his shot. Seconds later, however, after winning the ball high up the pitch again. Kane produced an excellent curling finish into the top-right to give Spurs the lead. On a night when everything Spurs did going forward came through the 29-year-old, he completed a brace poaching a tap-in after Son’s excellent run. The man of the match by a country mile.

Substitutes:

Dejan Kulusevski – 5 – Seemed not quite up to the pace of English football, often slowing the play down on the counter-attack. Did show off that wicked left foot on occasion and teed up Bergwijn for an excellent chance, which the Dutchman could not convert.

Steven Bergwijn – 5 – Tried his best to get into the game, looking dangerous on the counter, but missed his only chance, blazing over after being found by new man, Kulusevski.

Joe Rodon – 6 – Was solid after coming on for Romero. Trusted at the heart of the defence and it will be interesting to see how many more minutes he gets there.

Rodrigo Bentancur – 6 – Slotted in comfortably in midfield, moved the ball quickly, but was booked for stopping another powerful Bissouma run illegally.

Matt Doherty – N/A – Came on late on for Emerson

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know