Tottenham Hotspur suffered last-gasp heartbreak as their first win of 2026 was stolen away from them in the dying minutes on Saturday evening, but there were a lot of positives when it came to the performances of certain players.
Spurs looked on course to pick up their first three points in the Premier League since beating Crystal Palace on December 28, as they led Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 in second-half injury time.
Xavi Simons' stunning goal looked set to prove to be the difference between the two sides, with manager Roberto De Zerbi knowing that he needed a victory against his former employers to take Tottenham out of the relegation zone.
Instead, with just five games remaining, the north Londoners are a point from safety, with the two teams above them, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, having a game in hand as they are yet to play this weekend.
Forest have a potentially favourable home game against 19th-placed Burnley, while West Ham will fancy their chances of beating Palace at Selhurst Park, with Eagles players seemingly focused on Europa Conference League success having been allowed to have a night out in Florence on Thursday after advancing to the semi-finals of the competition.
Xavi Simons 'Unstoppable' Against Brighton
Simons has been something of an enigma following his move from RB Leipzig.
Despite there being no doubts over his ability and what he can contribute in the final third, neither Thomas Frank nor Igor Tudor, during his short reign, wanted to select the Dutchman in the starting XI on a consistent basis.
Clearly, the 23-year-old wasn't showing enough at Hotspur Way in training that he should be a guaranteed starter, but the clash against Brighton could be a turning point for the playmaker.
Simons was described as 'Tottenham's best player' on the night and his goal 'unstoppable' by Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith during the game, and it was a statement that was fully deserved based on his showing.
He set up the opener with a beautiful cross which Pedro Porro bravely headed home, before he could have got on the score-sheet himself when he hit the post.
Simons did find the net in the second half with a brilliant strike though, which has surely cemented his spot in the XI in the crucial clash against Wolves next weekend.
Gallagher is Now Undroppable Like Simons
Conor Gallagher has flattered to deceive following his move from Atletico Madrid in January, which is far from ideal given he is reportedly earning £200,000-a-week at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Englishman hasn't been without his critics either, with talkSPORT pundit and former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara labelling him as being 'absolutely awful' following defeat to Crystal Palace last month.
Gallagher was benched for the defeats to Palace and Nottingham Forest under Tudor, but he has now started both matches under De Zerbi.
The 26-year-old was much improved against the Seagulls on Saturday too, with one site giving him a 7/10 rating and calling it 'arguably his best game in a Tottenham shirt'.
It's quite a low bar admittedly, but it's hard to argue against it as he pressed well and was everywhere across the pitch. One of Gallagher's biggest strengths is his endurance and energy, and if he leaves everything on the pitch over the next five games like he did on Saturday, then he has to keep starting alongside Simons.