From ecstasy to agony. Tottenham Hotspur's season shown in microcosm on Saturday afternoon.
Up against Roberto De Zerbi's former employers, Brighton and Hove Albion, the Lilywhites were much improved in just the Italian's second game in charge, with the returning Xavi Simons looking to have clinched a much-needed win following his stunning, curling effort from range.
That moment from the mercurial Dutchman was euphoric, although frustratingly for the hosts, it had not come late enough, with De Zerbi's men failing to hang on amid an extended period of stoppage time.
There remains plenty to build on, although with the north Londoners having gambled on Tudor, the new boss has little time for teething issues, particularly in midfield.
De Zerbi has chopped and changed already in his two games in charge, although the one constant in the centre of the park has been Conor Gallagher - should that remain the case this weekend?
Analysing Conor Gallagher's game in numbers vs Brighton
With Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall making way for the more experienced duo of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, Spurs did appear to have greater control over proceedings, the latter of that pair looking particularly solid in front of the back four.
Those two alterations allowed Gallagher to be unleashed in a more advanced midfield role to complete the trio, the Englishman leading the press in what was a creditably relentless, all-action performance.
Indeed, it was certainly difficult to fault the 26-year-old's work ethic, having at one stage charged down opposition 'keeper, Bart Verbruggen, hunting the Dutchman in an almost NFL-style run.
With seven duels won from nine, and four recoveries made, there was certainly endeavour to Gallagher's performance, while he was neat and tidy in possession, after recording a solid 88% pass accuracy rate.
That said, there was little more than that on the ball, with the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid man registering just a solitary key pass, while having finished with a total progression distance of -4.4m.
In essence, the £34m signing typically went backwards when in possession, with De Zerbi seeing the benefits of a more solid midfield trio, albeit with Gallagher and co lacking the creativity to feed the likes of Dominic Solanke ahead of them.
Thankfully, there are now options at his disposal following a raft of injury returns, ensuring Gallagher could find himself out of the team next time around.
De Zerbi could now replace Gallagher with £40m Spurs star
Almost immediately, the withdrawal of Gallagher paid off, with his replacement, Lucas Bergvall, pouncing to help to tee up Simons' late stunner after only just entering the field.
That had come after a difficult outing for the young Swede a week earlier away at Sunderland, however, with the 20-year-old replaced on the hour mark after registering just 19 touches, having lost all 12 of his duels and recorded a pass accuracy rate of just 70%.
He might well need to remain something of an impact player instead, ensuring De Zerbi could look to James Maddison as the favoured option for that creative midfield berth, provided the 29-year-old is fit and firing again.
Maddison, despite having not played a minute on Saturday, was a welcome sight on the bench after such a lengthy absence, with the former Leicester City star having not featured at all since May and the days of Ange Postecoglou.
It can be no coincidence that Spurs have plummeted to such depths in a season in which neither Maddison nor Dejan Kulusevski have featured, with both Thomas Frank and Tudor lacking any real sense of creativity during their respective spells in charge.
For instance, the aforementioned Simons leads the way at the club this season with regard to 'big chances' created, although his tally of seven is well below the norm at N17, with five players hitting double figures for that metric in 2023/24, including Maddison (11).
The Englishman's time in north London may have been severely impacted by injury, although his record speaks for itself, currently resting on 37 goals and assists in his 75 games in all competitions.
As pundit Jamie Carragher noted at the time of his signing back in 2023, Maddison fits the mould of maverick, creative players who have dazzled for Spurs in the past, the Liverpool legend name-checking Paul Gascoigne and Glenn Hoddle.
"For now, Maddison looks like the prototype Spurs player, following in the traditions of Paul Gascoigne and Glenn Hoddle – an individual who puts a smile on supporters’ faces.
"Football is always more joyful when characters like Maddison see the game as an art more than a science. He is one of those rare footballers that the home fans adore and even rival fans cannot help but be endeared by."
A smile on the face would be welcome at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium right now, with 'Madders' boasting that knack for being able to win a game on his own, or conjure up a moment of playmaking magic, just like Gascoigne and Hoddle before him.
That pair are certified Spurs legends, and while Maddison may not be in that category as things stand, the £40m man could well be if he lifts this struggling side to safety over the coming weeks.
Gallagher's work rate and endeavour is to his credit, but it is his compatriot who is the real game-changer in the midfield ranks.
