Tottenham vs Brighton: 'This is a good opportunity for us to improve,' says Spurs boss Antonio Conte after the 1-0 loss

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte feels the 1-0 loss against Brighton is a good opportunity for them to improve. Leandro Trossard’s last-ditch strike handed Spurs their first defeat in five games. Despite the loss, Conte’s side remained at the fourth spot in the Premier League standings because Arsenal failed to capitalise on the slip up as they lost 1-0 to Southampton. 

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Defeat at @SpursStadium. pic.twitter.com/WItDtml3o6

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 16, 2022

More than the defeat, the nature of the loss would have irritated Conte. Tottenham failed to register even a single shot on target. Prior to the Brighton game, Spurs’ attackers were in superb form, having scored two or more goals in their previous six matches. 

Conte said: “I think that you have to try to do much better than today. We have to know that we are in this race for the Champions League.

“I think not many people thought this, but we are in this race because we showed that we deserved to stay there. Now we have to continue. Once you are in a good position in the table you have to keep this position.

“It’s a good opportunity for us also to cope with pressure, because when you arrive and then you know that you stay in a fantastic target for you.

“You’re winning the league and you are first and then you have to cope with the pressure, with the other results and I think this is a good opportunity for us to improve because I think this group of players need it, no? They needed this type of examinations for improvement.

“For sure, it’s not a good result for us and a lesson that we can learn today that there are games that if you’re not able to win, you’re not to lose.”

Meanwhile Brighton defence did an impressive job to keep the front three of Spurs- Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min, quiet for a major part of the game. Centre-back Lewis Dunk stayed close to Kane and didn’t give the Englishman too much of time and space to work with.  

While maintaining their defensive shape, Brighton managed to create a decent number of chances at the other end and broke the deadlock in the 90th minute. Adam Lallana was challenged by Christian Romero, the ball fell to an onrushing Trossard on the left side of the box. The Belgian swerved past Eric Dier before slotting the ball past Hugo Lloris into the far corner.