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When Josh Flint when on a marauding run to set up Crawley Town's first goal against Fleetwood Town, it was a like watching a rerun of a a goal scored at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this week.

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The Reds defender, after quick thinking from keeper Jojo Wollacott, ran almost the length of the pitch before laying off the perfect pass to Louis Flower, whop put Reds ahead.

And it was a repeat of Micky van de Ven’s much-lauded goal against Copenghagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The only thing missing was Flint scoring himself, but everyone in the stadium was still full of praise for the defender for the part he played.

And when we asked Harry Forster, who scored what turned out to be the winner in the 2-1 victory for Reds, if Flint had been comparing himself to van de Ven after the game, his reply was: “Do you know what? That's what I was shouting at him. it's an unbelievable run and fair play to him, how fast he ran up that field.

"If the gaps are there for our centre-back to go on a marauding run at 80 yards down the pitch, then we're going to do it. That came from their corner, so, we've got all that space there then. But when they're banking up like that, it's impossible for the centre-backs to do that, but with all that space there. It was an unbelievable run from Flinty.”

And boss Scott Lindsey praised goalkeeping coach Kris Dixon for his part in the goal. “The credit's got to go to the goalkeeping coach as well, Dicko, because we do a lot of work on defensive set-pieces and we don't just defend the set-piece, we then talk about and go through in training what it looks like if Jojo catches it.

"Can we spring off the back of them and go counter-attack quickly to kind of turn their strength in the fact that they've got a corner into their weakness, the fact that they've got all their players up the pitch? And I thought that Jojo did it great. Flint, he ran brilliantly with the ball, didn't he? And I thought Louis Flower's movement off the ball, his willing determination to run forward was excellent and a great finish from the boy.”

And Forster said there was only one thing on hs mind when he got the ball leading up to his goal. “100%. When it was opening up like that, I was just waiting for the centre-back to come and press me, but he didn't. So, I was like, ‘oh, even better’. I get a couple of touches at my feet, get near the box and then finish it. That was all in my mind,” he said.

The winger, who replaced Scott Malone early on after the he got an injury, has got a habit of scoring worldies for Crawley, but he didn’t rank this as his best – he said his one against Bristol Rovers a couple of years ago bettered it. “I actually prefer dribbling goals to shots from outside the box,” he said.

Brighton let a two-goal lead slip to an impressive Tottenham team at the Amex Stadium last Saturday.

Excellent goals from Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari gave Fabian Hurzeler’s side the advantage but a first half effort from Richarlison and an own goal from Jan Paul van Hecke earned each team a point.

The Seagulls have five points from the opening five matches and sit 14th in the table, while Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are second, behind leaders Liverpool, with 10 points.

"There were two teams on the pitch with a lot of energy, with a lot of intensity,” said Hurzeler. “They have a squad with really, really good players. I think it's also part of the truth. They just have a lot of individual quality on the bench.

"So when you look at the bench, it's just unbelievable which options they have. I think that's maybe the biggest difference.”

Brighton face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and then return to Premier League action at Chelsea on Saturday.

Tottenham welcome Doncaster in the League Cup on Wednesday and are then in top flight action as they host lowly Wolves on Saturday.

We take a look at the latest predicted table provided by the stats experts at Opta...

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'All claiming' - Brighton players plead in vain for VAR intervention after Richarlison halves deficit for Tottenham in entertaining first-half

Brighton took a two-goal lead at home against Tottenham Hotspur but conceded at a less than ideal time, just as the half-time whistle was approaching.

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Richarlison was the goalscorer on the 43rd minute – with Tottenham's first shot on goal – after the striker was found by Mohammed Kudus. Bart Verbruggen got a hand to it but couldn’t keep the Brazilian’s effort out.

Albion players immediately remonstrated with the referee Chris Kavanagh – appealing for a handball in the build-up.

Replays showed that the ball appeared to hit the hand of João Palhinha, when he won the ball for Spurs in the middle of the park.

Andy Stevenson, BBC Final Score’s reporter at Amex Stadium, said: “The Brighton defenders are all claiming a handball and it has gone to VAR. A way back into the game for Tottenham... For now.”

The goal was given after a quick check behind the scenes.

There was a slightly longer VAR check earlier in the match when Yankuba Minteh brilliantly opened the scoring for Albion against the run of play, after eight minutes.

The Gambian wide man took his first goal of the season in style – rounding Guglielmo Vicario after a fast break-away. It was Minteh’s second goal in three appearances in the Premier League against Tottenham.

A VAR check confirmed Minteh timed his run perfectly from Georginio Rutter’s pass – before bursting clear of the defence.

Andy Stevenson said: “One of the most against the run of play goals we have seen in the Premier League so far.

“Tottenham have dominated the opening minutes but Minteh finished coolly.”

Dion Dublin, former Aston Villa and Man Utd striker, added on Final Score: “You have to drop off there if you're Tottenham. It was too close to the half way line to play offside, you have to step back.

“Minteh still has to time his run absolutely perfectly because he just steps into the Spurs half as the ball is played and it's a cool finish.”

Former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown said, on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Yankuba Minteh won the ball back, he pressed really strongly.

“He's got such a long way to travel as he enters the Spurs half but his touches are good.

“He sits the goalkeeper down and pokes it in. Sensational finish.”

The Seagulls doubled their lead through Yasin Ayari, after 31 minutes. It was well-hit strike from distance but Vicario did not cover himself in glory.

Brown said: “This is from absolutely nothing again.

“Yasin Ayari was so far away, really wide on the far left hand side.

“It moves late but the goalkeeper will be disappointed as it drifts into the far corner.”

Former Newcastle and Man City goalkeeper Shay Given, who is another pundit on Final Score, said it was a ‘good strike’ from Ayari but ‘Vicario has to do better’.

He added: “I think he was surprised a bit. Bergvall gave the ball away and he wasn't set, so he gets a hand to it but doesn't drive into the save with his feet.”

Related topics:TottenhamVARBrightonRicharlison

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Crawley Town’s newest signing Ryan Loft has impressed Scott Lindsey this week – and the Reds boss said the striker brings something different he hasn’t had before at the Broadfield Stadium.

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The 27-year-old forward has plenty of EFL experience, having also played for Stevenage, Exeter City, Carlisle Utd, Scunthorpe Utd, Bristol Rovers and Port Vale. He originally came through the Tottenham Youth system, playing at u18 and u23 level, as well as playing for Leicester City u23s.

And he is contention to be involved in Saturday’s match at Harrogate Town after impressing in training this week.

Lindsey said: “I think that the biggest thing for me was bringing a little bit more nous and experience to the team. Obviously we did that with Scott Malone and now Lofty as well.

“He's added to that little bit of experience, played many games in the Football League. And I think he's 27 years of age. It's not kind of a young, young one.

“And I'm watching him in training and I'm quite excited to see him play.”

But what has caught Lindsey’s eye most about Loft? “He's a good footballer, first of all,” he said. “He's come out of Tottenham. Tottenham don't usually have bad footballers for a start.

“He can handle the ball really well. He's actually really, really quick. He's a fast runner for a big lad.

“And he's a big lad, which, we've not been blessed with certainly at the top of the pitch over the times I've been here.

“Not that we're going to start lumping it forward because we're not, but it gives us that physicality from set pieces in both boxes and probably would encourage us to probably cross the ball more, which I've been trying to get the players to do anyway.

“He’s a brilliant signing for me. Looking forward to seeing him play. He's been amazing in training, I've got to say.”

And Lindsey confirmed he is likely to be involved at Harrogate. “He's fit and available so he stands a chance of being involved in the game certainly.

“It’s exciting to see him in a Crawley shirt actually. I think it's something that I've never had is kind of a little bit of size up the pitch.

“So we’ll see how that looks and I'm looking forward to that.”

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Three former Kawasaki Frontale players are currently set to play in the Premier League next season

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Tottenham’s deal to sign Japan international defender Kota Takai from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale means three former Frontale stars could be in the top flight next season.

The 20-year-old will move to north London in July for a £5million fee and will compete in central defence with Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin.

Takai will join Ao Tanaka of Leeds United and Brighton’s Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma. Here’s a look at the talented Japanese trio.

Kaoru Mitoma

Brighton’s 28-year-old Japanese winger, is one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League, currently attracting interest from Bayern Munich. Sky Germany stated: “Bayern Munich will target Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma if they miss out on Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.”

Since joining Brighton in 2021 from Frontale for around £3m, Mitoma has notched 20 goals and 13 assists in 88 appearances, showcasing his dribbling and pace.

Mitoma is a huge favourite with the fans and has a habit of producing spectacular goals, which has made him one Brighton’s most in-demand players. His contract runs until 2027 and the Seagulls hope he will be at the Amex next season.

Ao Tanaka

Leeds United’s 26-year-old Japanese midfielder, has become a fan favourite since his £3.4m move from Fortuna Düsseldorf in August 2024.

He moved to Düsseldorf in 2021 after making 79 appearances for Kawasaki Frontale.

His technical prowess, passing, and tactical awareness earned him a spot in the Championship Team of the Season and Leeds’ Players’ Player of the Year award.

He is nicknamed “Tiger Tanaka” by manager Daniel Farke but fans often chant “A-O!” for the midfielder, who expressed his joy at promotion with 150,000 supporters.

Kota Takai

The 20-year-old Japanese centre-back, has joined Tottenham Hotspur from Kawasaki Fron for a record-breaking £5m J-League transfer.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Takai’s athleticism, 88 per cent pass completion, and defensive ability – including his performance against Cristiano Ronaldo in the AFC Champions League – make him a promising talent.

He rejected Udinese, Borussia Monchengladbach, and Hoffenheim to join Spurs, where he’ll compete with Romero, Van de Ven, Danso, and Dragusin.

Japanese football expert Dan Orlowitz noted, “It was inevitable a player of Takai’s ability would make the jump to a leading European league”.

His contract runs until 2030.

He made his international debut in September in a 7-0 World Cup qualifying win over China having helped his club side to an eighth-place finish domestically last season.

He is the club’s second signing since Thomas Frank was appointed as head coach in place of Ange Postecoglou earlier in June, after Mathys Tel’s six-month loan from Bayern Munich was made permanent.

In 2024 he was named Japan’s young player of the year having broken into Kawasaki’s first team two years previously.

Related topics:BrightonPremier LeagueBayern MunichJapanLeeds UnitedTottenham

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Brighton starlet Jack Hinshelwood was disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to get his first career hat-trick on the last day of the season.

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The Seagulls came from a goal down to comfortably beat Europa League champions Tottenham 4-1 in North London on Sunday (May 25). The result confirmed their second highest ever league finish (eighth) but it was not enough for Europe due to results elsewhere.

Playing in a more advanced role in the absence of a recognised striker, 20-year-old Hinshelwood scored his first career brace to put Brighton 2-1 ahead.

The visitors had to fight back from a goal down after Dominic Solanke’s early penalty – but eventually ran out comfortable winners.

As the clock ticked down, Brighton were given an 88th minute penalty after their former midfielder Yves Bissouma fouled Diego Gomez.

Designated penalty taker Matt O’Riley stepped up to tuck home the spot-kick – despite chants from the away fans for Hinshelwood to take it.

Asked about that moment, post-match, Hinshelwood said: “I did want it.

"Obviously I missed the last penalty [in the FA Cup defeat against Nottingham Forest] but I wanted to score the hat-trick.

"But I had to put the team first.

“Matt O'Riley was the designated taker and he was confident, so it was more important to win the game rather than me getting my hat-trick.

“It would have been nice to get a hat-trick if it had gone in. I probably would have missed! I’m joking.”

Fresh from scoring the winner against Liverpool, Hinshelwood – a product of the Albion academy – grabbed two instinctive goals against Spurs, the second of which being a sublime back-heel.

When a journalist remarked that he has a ‘real eye for goal’, Hinshelwood replied: “Yeah, I suppose so. I’ve got a knack or whatever it is.

"I just try to put myself in good positions in the box. I was lucky today, two fell at my feet and I was able to turn them goalwards.

"When they hit the back of the net, it's always a nice feeling. Scoring a goal, if you could bottle up that feeling every time, it would be more worth it. Well, that's the key thing, to get inside that six-yard box and be right on the spot."

On the back-heel, he added: “I think the ball just fell at quite an awkward height. I tried to get whatever I could on it and when I turned and saw it rolling in the net, that was a relief and a nice feeling.

“I think first half I was more sort of playing like a striker. Obviously we missed Danny [Welbeck[ today, he's been massive for us all season. I'll give my all in any position, maybe it's not my best position, but if the manager puts me there, I'll give my all and try to contribute to the team.”

Hinshelwood revealed that Hurzeler told the players after the match that they should have ‘no regrets’ about missing out on Europe.

He added: “We gave it our all.

“Obviously there were points in the season where we were a bit disappointed and we could probably have ended on a higher points tally. But it’s all learning and I think next season is going to be a really exciting one if we can continue on that kind of trajectory.

“I think there was obviously lots of ups and downs and we had some really good runs. If we can polish that up next season and have a bit more consistency, obviously it helps when you've got players fit, then we'll have a real chance.”

On his rapport with the fans, he said: “I can sort of resonate with them. I've been in their position, so I know what it's like.

“I know what they want to see from players on the pitch. I just try to do that to the best I can. I haven't got the ability of people like [Kaoru] Mitoma, Joao Pedro, but one thing I can guarantee is how hard I'm going to work and show that grit and determination.”

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Danny Welbeck and Pervis Estupinan were notable absentees from the matchday squad at Tottenham Hotspur.

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Brighton were without a recognised striker for the final Premier League match of the season.

Joao Pedro was not involved after being left out of the squad once again following a training ground ‘altercation’ with Jan Paul van Hecke.

It was therefore a surprise to see Welbeck missing, alongside left-back Pervis Estupinan.

Explaining their absence post-match, Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler said: "They had a minor injury, and we had to take care of them.”

It was a case of no striker, no problem for Brighton as they thrashed Europa League champions Tottenham 4-1.

The Seagulls came from a goal down to comfortably win 4-1 in North London. The result confirmed their second highest ever league finish (eighth) but it was not enough for Europe due to results elsewhere.

Hurzeler was asked by a reporter if it was ‘overlooked’ that Brighton were just one point (61) short of their best final tally in the Premier League. Albion finished on 62 points when they qualified for the Europa League under Roberto De Zerbi.

The German, 32, replied: “No, because I judged the season in my way, and I think, like I said, we faced a lot of adversity.

"We faced a lot of challenges, but we always stick together. I can judge the season in the right way, and I'm really proud of the team, I'm really proud of my staff, I'm really proud of the whole club.

"If we would reach Europe, everyone would say it's an incredible season, and I think we did enough to get to Europe.

"We can't influence the other results, and like you said, we finished one point behind the record, so I think it's a great achievement and we can be proud of ourselves.

"I would also say the same message, that there are things to improve, we know it, we try to improve it. That's the challenge we have to have for the next season, and we're looking forward to it.”

As well as avoiding defeat at Spurs, Brighton needed Chelsea to lose against Nottingham Forest to keep their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Conference League alive – but former Albion loanee Levi Colwill scored the winner for the Blues. Aston Villa also lost 2-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Hurzeler said he was not keeping an eye on results elsewhere in the Premier League during the match.

He added: “I was in my tunnel when I coached my team, I can't have any distractions beside me, so I was really focused, and that's the only thing we could influence.

“I said it before the game, I said it in press conference, I said it to the team, focus on the things we can influence, and all the other things we can't influence, and therefore we have to accept it, and we have to get an understanding, and the right reflection on the season, and try to come back stronger next season.”

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It was a case of no striker, no problem for Brighton as they thrashed Europa League champions Tottenham in the final Premier League match of the season.

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Albion – playing without a recognised striker – came from a goal down to comfortably win 4-1 in North London. The result confirmed their second highest ever league finish (eighth) but it's not enough for Europe due to results elsewhere.

Brighton needed Chelsea to lose against Nottingham Forest to keep their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Conference League alive – but former Albion loanee Levi Colwill scored the winner for the Blues. Aston Villa also lost 2-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the visitors fell behind after 17 minutes with Dominic Solanke scoring a penalty – after Mats Wieffer brought down Mathys Tel.

The second-half was a completely different story though, with the Seagulls scoring four times without reply.

Jack Hinshelwood – who scored the winner against Liverpool last weekend – grabbed a brace to put Brighton ahead. The second goal was one of his best in a Brighton shirt, brilliantly back-heeling the ball past Vicario.

Albion were then given a penalty on the 88th minute and there were shouts from the fans for 20-year-old Hinshelwood to step up and get his first ever career hat-trick.

However, Matt O’Riley instead took the spot-kick and he made no mistake to put Brighton 3-0 up.

Albion were not done there, with Diego Gomez curling in a sublime strike from distance to seal the victory.

Watch the video at the top of this page to see the post-match celebrations, with Hinshelwood, Gomez and manager Fabian Hurzeler among those to celebrate with the travelling fans.

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Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said he will not concern himself with results elsewhere as he prepares to face Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur.

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The Seagulls still have a chance to get European football next season if they finish eighth, and hope that Chelsea drop out of the top six with a defeat at Nottingham Forest – before winning the UEFA Conference League final.

Eighth would also be enough if Carabao Cup winners Newcastle finish seventh and Chelsea finish sixth – whilst also beating Real Betis on Wednesday (May 28).

Brighton will be hoping for another taste of European football next season after Roberto De Zerbi guided the Seagulls into the Europa League.

On the preparations for the Spurs game, he said: “The only thing we can influence is our result and our preparation for the game and that’s what we try to do. The other results we can’t influence, we try to focus on us.

“We are fully focused. We always emphasise that we can only be successful as a group when we feel this togetherness, when we have this togetherness on and beside the pitch. That’s what we really try to emphasize every day.”

Tottenham edged out Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final on Wednesday, qualifying them for the Champions League next season despite being 17th in the league.

There were wild celebrations from the players after that win, with Hurzeler not focusing on what Spurs have done, with him only focusing on his team.

He said: “They played the final. I think both teams felt a lot of pressure and in the end, Tottenham won. They played very maturely. They scored one goal and that’s why they deserved to win.

“We don’t know. I think that’s one of the questions I was asked most in the last few hours, but my answer will be always the same.

"I can’t influence how they celebrate or how they will prepare for the game. The only things I can influence are how we prepare our team, and we will try to be the best prepared team we can be. That’s what our focus is on.”

There could be a party atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Ange Postecoglou’s side achieved the club’s first trophy since 2008.

Hurzeler said: “That’s why we don’t know what we will face there. We don’t know how the atmosphere will be. We don’t know which team we will face and which mood they are in. They’re all factors and things we can’t influence.

“The only thing we can do is make sure that we have a good training session, that we have a good training week and that we are mentally, physically ready for this game, because one thing that will hundred percent happen is we will face an opponent. They can beat every team in the league. They have individual quality. They play high intensity football, so that’s what we have to expect.”

Hurzeler spent a day in 2023 with Postecoglou at Tottenham, gaining valuable experience which he has taken into this season.

He went on to praise the Aussie, adding: “I’m happy for him because he’s a very good guy. He deserves this. He deserves it and he has a lot of pressure on how he deals with it.

“I think he’s a role model for young coaches as well, like me. I’m very happy for him.

"I know that he worked hard for this and what I really like is that he said already in September after a game against Arsenal [that he wins things in his second season]. He’s a man who can look into the future and that’s something very impressive.”

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Brighton are without a recognised striker for the final Premier League match of the season, away at Tottenham Hotspur.

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Danny Welbeck has not been named in the matchday squad due to a suspected injury.

Joao Pedro is also not involved after being left out of the squad once again following a training ground ‘altercation’ with Jan Paul van Hecke.

Pervis Estupinan is also missing from the squad after picking up an unspecified injury. He is replaced in the team by Jack Hinshelwood, who scored the winning goal against Liverpool.

In better news for Albion, Igor starts for the first time since January and James Milner is back in the squad after nine months out of action.

With Albion without a striker in the team, it is perhaps a surprise to see star forward Kaoru Mitoma on the bench once again.

The Japan international has been heavily linked with Bayern Munich and Arsenal, as Albion brace themselves for a great deal of interest in the winger this summer.

National media reports suggest Joao Pedro could also be leaving Brighton in the summer. The 23-year-old has plenty of admirers, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

European football is still a possibility for Brighton, if they finish eighth in the Premier League – and Chelsea win the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis, whilst finishing outside the top six.

Eighth would also be enough if Newcastle finish seventh and Chelsea finish sixth.

If this happens, this will be Brighton’s first time competing in the Conference League and the second time in three seasons the Seagulls will be playing in Europe.

Before the trip to Spurs, Fabian Hurzeler told reporters: “The only thing we can influence is our result and our preparation for the game and that’s what we try to do. The other results we can’t influence, we try to focus on us.

“We are fully focused. We always emphasise that we can only be successful as a group when we feel this togetherness, when we have this togetherness on and beside the pitch. That’s what we really try to emphasize every day.”

Brighton line-up: Bart Verbruggen, Igor Julio, Adam Webster, Jan Paul van Hecke, Jack Hinshelwood, Carlos Baleba, Mats Wieffer, Simon Adingra, Yasin Ayari, Brajan Gruda, Yankuba Minteh.