The Argus

Fans were treated to a promising start with a goal from Yankuba Minteh in the eighth minute of the game.

This followed a second from Yasin Ayari, sending a wave of excitement through the stadium and putting the Seagulls two goals ahead.

However, this excitement was short-lived with Tottenham's Richarlison scoring just before half time.

Spurs pushed for a second goal, but it was an own goal from Jan Paul Van Hecke which saw the game finish 2-2.

Despite the disappointing finish, fans remained in good spirits as the sun shone at the Amex.

This is how they fared as individuals.

Bart Verbruggen 7/10

Made an outstanding save from Simons low to his left and had a decent game marred by a couple of unusual goals he could do little about.

Joel Veltman 7/10

Quite enjoyed his tussles with Richarlison and continues to give good, professional backbone but he could not always seal off his touchline.

Jan Paul van Hecke 7/10

Unfortunate or at fault when the ball hit him for the equaliser? Either way, he produced some excellent and important interventions in his own box apart from that over 90 tough minutes.

Lewis Dunk 7/10

Like his partner in defence, came up with some strong and important challenges and clearances as balls were driven across goal.

Ferdi Kadioglu 7/10

Battled away with infectious enthusiasm and looked to get forward. Kudus got past him quite easily at times although there was an argument Kadioglu was intentionally showing him down the outside.

Carlos Baleba 6/10

Some really good work in the first half-hour and it felt like old times but it felt like was fading late in the half. And it wasn’t an optical illusion.

Yasin Ayari 7/10

Made a very sweet connection on his goal and did some good work in midfield, even if the scissors volley did not quite come off.

Yankuba Minteh 8/10

Was again Albion’s most dangerous player. Opened the scoring with a superb finish and a moment of tracking back to shut down Richarlison also stands out. There was concern he was no longer doing defensive graft when he was replaced.

Brajan Gruda 6/10

Asked to work off Rutter in attack. Without having a massive impact, his footwork was at the origin of the opening goal.

Kaoru Mitoma 5/10

Well below what we expect from him. Seemed to lack pace and conviction at times and strength on the ball but his threat and defensive awareness kept him on the pitch.

Georginio Rutter 7/10

It felt like a quiet game for him but this is quite a selfless role, as we have seen with Welbeck. His through ball released Minteh for the opener, pressing helped win possession for the Ayari strike and persistence set up a later chance for the same player. And he helped defend set-pieces.

SUBS - Diego Gomez 6/10

Sent on for the second half and did not really stamp any authority in midfield.

James Milner 6/10

Went on perhaps later than expected to try and bring order in midfield.

Danny Welbeck, Diego Coppola, Mats Wieffer N/A

A glimpse of good link play from the first, some battling from the second and a decent job on the left from the third.

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And Mats Wieffer could return on the right of defence in the Premier League clash after a two-match absence.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler confirmed today that Jack Hinshelwood faces a period out of action due to an ankle ligament injury.

Diego Gomez returns to the squad having missed the 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth due to illness.

Max De Cuyper does not have a serious injury after hurting his knee at the Vitality Stadium.

But, while he has not been ruled out of the Spurs game, Hurzeler was talking very much in terms of Kadioglu starting on the left of defence.

He said: “I think it is a big boost to have him back.

“He played a really good game against Bournemouth when he came in.

“He had really good actions, he was defensively very strong in one-against-one duels against Semenyo.

“There will be another challenge tomorrow against Kudus and this will be the challenge he has to face.

“But he seems to be in a really good place. He is training very well, he is capable of doing a lot of physical distance regarding high speeds, regarding total distance.

“I think he is close to 100% and hopefully he can prove it tomorrow.”

The Lancashire-based official has been handed the middle for the home game with Tottenham Hotspur.

His video assistant will be Neil Davies.

Kavanagh has already refereed eight games this season, including Europa League fixtures and the Community Shield at Wembley.

He was at the centre of debate in the latter for failure to award Crystal Palace a penalty for handball by Alexis Mac Allister.

Kavanagh averaged five yellow cards per game across last season so is comfortably below that figure so far this term.

He was in the news last season when he showed Declan Rice a second yellow card as Albion drew 1-1 at Arsenal.

That decision as Joel Veltman looked to take a quick free-kick, and the fact he did not show Joao Pedro yellow earlier in the game, were the subject of much complaint from Arsenal’s fans and sympathisers in the media.

His domestic season ended with the Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland – so a good memory for current Albion winger Tommy Watson.

The full officiating line-up for Albion v Tottenham is as follows.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Assistants: Dan Cook, Ian Hussin. Fourth official: Tom Nield. VAR: Neil Davies. Assistant VAR: Rob Jones.

He was absent from the session the day before their Champions League opener at home to Villarreal.

Tottenham visit Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

Solanke has not featured for Spurs since the 2-0 victory at Manchester City on August 23 due to a troublesome ankle issue.

The injury sidelined the striker for much of pre-season and, despite being fit enough to play in Tottenham’s first three competitive fixtures under new boss Thomas Frank, he has since been consigned to the treatment table and was a notable absentee at the club’s open training session on Monday.

Centre-back Radu Dragusin, who was not played since he sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage in January, was involved in the non-contact element of the session before he trained individually.

That would appear to suggest he, at best, faces a race against time if he is to face the Seagulls.

Late summer signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both featured in wet conditions in Enfield, with Kolo Muani in line to make his Spurs debut on Tuesday night.

Spurs enjoyed a 3-0 win at West Ham on Saturday as they bounced back from the shock 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

The centre-back swapped NAC Breda for Albion in 2020 but he had to wait until August 2022 for his club debut.

The 2023/24 campaign was his breakout season, and ever since he has been a fixture in Albion's defence.

The 25-year-old was reportedly the subject of interest from Tottenham and Newcastle United this summer, and while Van Hecke wants to play at the "highest level", he is content at the Amex.

He told Voetbalzone, "There were rumours and some contact. That contact was from the Premier League. But it quickly became clear that a transfer this summer wouldn’t happen. That’s fine, because I’m happy at Brighton.

"My ambition is to stay here. I’ve been here for a few years now and I’m having a great time. The league suits me well, and I enjoy the atmosphere and the culture.

"I really feel at home. So, I don’t need to go to another country, unless, of course, some clubs come along that I can’t say no to.

"I have ambitions to play at the highest possible level and want to give myself that chance. For now, I think this is the ideal situation.

"Hopefully, it will be a good season and a World Cup; then we’ll see. It’s difficult to look a year ahead, of course."

Earlier this year, the former Blackburn Rovers loanee told The Argus that Albion is a "special club" and he had no plans to leave for the time being - especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

But with the Netherlands international's contract expiring in 2027, Albion may need to tie him down to a new deal soon or risk losing him for a smaller fee than they would like in the future.

Second-half goals from James Milner and Brajan Gruda secured Albion their first Premier League win of the season, while condemning City - who scored through Erling Haaland -to a second straight loss.

Ex-City stopper Hart outlined how Tottenham pounced upon his old team's high defensive line in their 2-0 win at the Etihad last month, as well as highlighting how Fabian Hurzeler's side punished them.

The 38-year-old observed that substitute Rico Lewis, who is not a right-back by trade but has often played there for City, was caught out of position as Albion broke for Gruda's winner.

He said on Match of the Day, "I think defensively there are some alarming patterns already in the first couple of games.

"[Rayan] Ait-Nouri is very much a defender but he is attack-minded. [There is] no problem losing possession there (in Albion's final third), City are fully used to that. Four v four, they are very comfortable with it.

"But what will alarm them is how easily Brighton slice through them. John Stones is looking to play that high line again. [Kaoru] Mitoma is not offside, simple pass. James Trafford makes a really decent save.

"What is alarming again for City is how easily Brighton bypass that midfield three - they are not even in the running. Brighton look so fresh, one pass, Trafford is in a good position, makes a good save for his team.

"This is the real problem. This is the match-winning moment, this is Rico Lewis. He plays a lot at right-back, but he is not a right-back by nature, and he proves it in this instance.

"He has a look at Mitoma, who is in a dangerous position. Lewis seems Mitoma but he still chooses (left-back) [Maxim] De Cuyper and his pass. Rico has carried on, and Pep Guardiola has seen the problem. Hurzeler can't believe his luck; he's really excited.

"John Stones has had to make a 30-yard run to cover his team-mate, he's out of control, he's having to make some sort of contact for his team. [Yasin] Ayari turns it over, and in the blink of an eye, we have a four v two situation."

Hart stressed that this is not a "crisis" for City but they need to get on top of this quickly, especially as many fans were optimistic about their chances heading into the season and after thrashing Wolves 4-0.

Incidentally, before Lewis replaced Matheus Nunes at right-back, the Portuguese midfielder gave away a penalty for handling Lewis Dunk's shot - so their issues in that position may not be easily remedied.

"This is not a crisis, but it's a difficult moment for them," he added. "There was a feel-good factor going into the season, but this has put a puncture in their balloon. They are going to have to address those situations and look at themselves defensively."

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The Seagulls are managing the Japan winger’s minutes.

But they want him available to produce magic from the bench if needed.

Mitoma went on and scored a stunning goal against Liverpool as part of an impressive overall display.

He has not started a game since the defeat at Crystal Palace with his last four appearances – and three goals – all coming off the bench.

Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler said: “We have to manage him.

“He has some small minor issues, not big issues, otherwise he can’t play.

Albion ignore the Spurs party - but what shape will the hosts be in?

“But overall he is not in his highest level regarding physicality, regarding readiness for the games.

“We really have to manage him but we know he has unbelievable individual qualities so it is always good to have him in the squad and to bring him on as sub.”

Mitoma was recently ruled out by a heel issue and has also been seen holding his back in recent weeks, although he told The Argus that was not an issue as he spoke at the players’ awards night.

Georginio Rutter will not be risked in the final match.