### Tottenham's Defensive Lapses Cost Them Victory Against Brighton

Tottenham Hotspur's thrilling match against Brighton lived up to expectations, though not in the way Spurs fans had hoped. Leading comfortably 2-0 at halftime, Tottenham experienced a shocking collapse in the second half, allowing Brighton to bounce back and secure a 3-2 victory by the 66th minute.

The game began with early scoring opportunities for both sides, as the teams utilized high defensive lines. Brennan Johnson continued his impressive streak by becoming the first Spurs player since Harry Kane to score in six consecutive matches. James Maddison soon doubled the lead for Tottenham, following a brilliant link-up with Dominic Solanke. However, an error by Destiny Udogie allowed Yankuba Minteh to initiate Brighton's comeback, which gained momentum with goals from Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck.

Jack Pitt-Brooke and Anantaajith Raghuraman provided a detailed analysis from the Amex Stadium, pointing out the fundamental flaws in Spurs' defense that led to their downfall. The second half of the game saw Tottenham's defense fail to deal with the threats posed by Brighton, especially from Kaoru Mitoma. Micky van de Ven and Udogie's inability to intercept crosses was prominently highlighted, culminating in Welbeck's decisive header, unchallenged by Cristian Romero.

The defensive issues for Spurs were apparent even in the first half, as Pedro Porro visibly struggled against the dynamic play between Mitoma and Ferdi Kadioglu. Brighton's attacking maneuvers repeatedly exposed gaps in Tottenham's defense, serving as a precursor to the eventual collapse. Rutter's persistence in the second half allowed him to deliver a critical cross that was effortlessly converted by Welbeck, finalizing Brighton's remarkable comeback.

Spurs' head coach reflected on the disappointing performance, criticizing the lack of competitiveness and basic defensive duties shown by his players. He emphasized how crucial it is to maintain intensity and win individual battles, aspects Tottenham woefully neglected in this match.

Despite a solid first half facilitated by Solanke's strategic deep runs and incisive passes, Tottenham's second-half performance left much to be desired. Solanke, who had been impactful in setting up both first-half goals, found himself ineffective as the team lost control post-halftime.

The defeat compels questions about Tottenham's progress under manager Ange Postecoglou, especially with an impending international break. The immediate future will see Spurs prepping for a home clash against West Ham United, where they will aim to regain their momentum and defensive solidity.

Saturday's fixture against West Ham now looms large for Tottenham, as they seek to rectify the defensive lapses that marred their performance against Brighton and prove their progress is genuine.