Tottenham - Away, Falmer Years
Manager - MAURICIO POCHETTINO (2014-19)
Record to Aug '19: P276 W154 D55 L67. Wins = 55.7%
TOTTENHAM PREM record from 11/12 to 18/19; 4, 5, 6, 5, 3, 2, 3, 4. Best finish = 2nd, Worst finish = 6th, Ave finish = 4th.
C21; Ave = 7th (20yrs), Runner-up - 1 time, top four - 6 times, Top ten - 17 times from 20.
Ave Gate; 60k (31.6K, Cap; 32K @ White Hart Lane. 83K versus Arsenal @ Wembley).
Recent managers; Mauricio Pochettino (2014-19), Tim Sherwood (2014), Andre Villas Boas (2012-14), Harry Redknapp (2008-12)
PODIUMS; 17/18 - Man City, Man Utd, Spurs. 16/17 - Chelsea, Spurs, City. 15/16 - Leicester, Arsenal, Spurs.

SPURS FANS Expectations - to better excellent progress made, to reach the top three & perform well again in the Champions League.
Odds @ start: title 16/1, top four 8-15, top six 1-10, top London 11-10, MP first for sack 66/1

SPURS @ HOME; Wembley & White Hart Lane
19/20 - P4 W3 D0 L1 F9 A3 GD+6 Pt9 Po9 = 2.25pt/gm or 81.8% of total points. Wins = 75%, Loss = 25%
18/19 - P19 W12 D2 L5 F34 A16 GD+18 Pt38 Po4 = 2.00pt/gm or 53.5% of total points. Wins = 63.1%, Loss = 26.3% - Mauricio Pochettino.
17/18 - P19 W13 D4 L2 F40 A16 GD+24 Pt43 Po3 = 2.26pt/gm or 55.8% of total points. Wins = 68.4%, Loss = 10.5% - Mauricio Pochettino.
16/17 - P19 W17 D2 L0 F47 A9 GD+38 Pt53 Po2 (Po1 home) = 2.78pt/gm or 61.6% of total points. Home wins = 89.4% - Mauricio Pochettino.
15/16 - P19 W10 D6 L3 F35 A15 GD+20 Pt36 Po3 = 1.89pt/gm or 51.4% of total points. Wins = 52.6% - Mauricio Pochettino.
14/15 - P19 W10 D3 L6 F31 A24 GD+7 Pt33 Po5 = 1.73pt/gm or 51.5% of total points. Wins = 52.6% - Mauricio Pochettino.
13/14 - P19 W11 D3 L5 F30 F23 GD+7 Pt36 Po6 = 1.89pt/gm or 52.1% of total points. Wins = 57.8% - Andre Villas-Boas & Tim Sherwood.

Season9 Premier League (A) Thur 26/12/19 - Boxing Day
Our Xmas bash this year in the festive-footy southeast was versus Spurs at their metroplitan super-stad up the lane. It also marked completion of first half of the campaign and so far...

Stats: shape, ht, goals, poss %-%, on target, off target, corners, fouls, yellows, subs. MoM - . Gate - 60,xxx, away xxxx. Weather - deep & crisp & even
1 Ryan, subs - 27 Button,
Prem: P19 . W D L . F A . W D L . F A . Pt Po = pt/gm. Wins = %, Loss = %

Spurs:
Start: P8 W3 D2 L3 F14 A12 GD+2 Pt11 Po9 = 1.37pt/gm. Wins = 37.5%, Loss = 37.5%
Champions League: group - B Munich 2-7 (H), Olympiakos 2-2 (A), RS Belgrade
EFL Cup: 3rd rnd - Colchester 4pen3 0-0 (A)
FA Cup:
Aug: adrift of top four and even top six at this very early stage.
Oct:
New Year:
March:

Season8 Premier League (A) - Tue 23/4/19 - L 1-0
Once again Sky Sports had selected Albion for tv coverage and so moved the original fixture date from Saturday Apr6 to Sunday the 7th. But next, as Spurs progressed in the Champions League and Seagulls reached FA Cup semis, it got rescheduled a second time. And by this juncture the north London giants brand spanking new stad was coming into regular use. It was thus a PL game in hand for Albion on nearly all other rivals in the wider danger zone but hardly one we could count on as a source of points. Seagulls had stopped the rot with a goalless draw on the road last weekend but knew this was a more difficult task. There were four fixtures left and three were against top six sides. So a clean sheet here would be regarded as almost priceless in the immediate challenge to beat the dreaded drop.
Albion hung in there for majority of this miss-match but conceded at the death from a pot shot (88min). Seagulls never looked like scoring and the goalless run was in excess of 10 hours now. Andone got booked for rough stuff and hooked after the hour mark. He did not seem too pleased but hardly had a good game. March & Kayal also joined the defensive display but it turned sour just prior to the ninety. Hughton said, 'I can't fault the effort and what we tried to do. We defended well. In regards to clear cut chances I thought they were minimal. If we manage the game better in the last period we come awy with a result. Saturday noe becomes our biggest game. What we need to do is win in whichever way possible.' Brighton fans knew that meant scoring at least one goal and at this moment couldn't quite guess where it would come from. Set pieces, open play and even opposition mistakes had all drawn a blank lately. BHA had merely netted 32 in the league, which was less than a goal a game on average. Spurs had got 65, so perhaps we were lucky to keep them to just one after all.
Stats; ht 0-0, goal 88, shape 433-451, poss 78%-22%, on target 5-1, off target 12-4, corners 6-3, fouls 7-13, yellows 1-2, subs 3-3. Gate 56,251, away 2992. Weather - mild. MoM - Dunk, outstanding in defence.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 30 Bernardo Y, 13 Gross, 6 Stephens, 8 Bissouma (7 Kayal 86), 16 Jahanbakhsh (20 March 73), 10 Andone Y (17 Murray 64), 9 Locadia. Subs - 27 Button, 3 Bong, 33 Burn, 14 Balogun.
Prem P35 . W6 D4 L7 F17 A23 . W3 D3 L12 F15 A31 . Pt34 Po17 = 0.97pt/gm. Wins = 25.7%, Loss = 54.2%

Total; P38 W23 D2 L13 F67 A39 GD+28 Pt71 Po4 = 1.86pt/gm. Wins = 60.5%, Loss = 34.2%
3qtrs; P29 W20 D1 L8 F56 A30 GD+26 Pt61 Po3 = 2.10pt/gm. Wins = 68.9%, Loss = 27.5%
Hlfwy; P19 W15 D0 L4 F42 A18 GD+24 Pt45 Po2 = 2.36pt/gm. Wins = 78.9%, Loss = 21%
Start; P10 W7 D0 L3 F16 A8 GD+8 Pt21 Po5 = 2.10pt/gm. Wins = 70%, Loss = 20% - Pochettino.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE; final - lost to Liverpool 0-2, s-f - Ajax 0-1 (H) 2-3 (A), q-f - Man City 1-0 (H) 4-3 (A), 16 - B Dortmund 3-0 (H) 0-1 (A).
Group B - Barcelona 2-4 (H) 1-1 (A), PSV Eindhoven 2-2 (A) 2-1 (H), Inter Milan 2-1 (A) 1-0 (H).
EFL CUP; s-f - Chelsea 1-0 (H) 4-2 pens 2-1 (A), q-f - Arsenal 0-2 (A), 4th rnd - West Ham 1-3 (A),
3rd rnd - Watford 2-2 4-2 pens (H - @ MK Dons)
FA CUP; 4th rnd - Palace 2-0 (A), 3rd rnd - Tranmere 0-7 (A)
Aug; will they come to a peak eventually at their new stadium, or over the top after three previous podiums? And that notorious 'wait & see' recruitment policy hasn't exactly moved with the times.
October; challenging in top six and getting it done away from Wembley. Still in EFL Cup.
New Year; making a fist of it in the top three and within striking distance of 2nd place. FA Cup progress.
March; Still at Wembley but move to new stad in April. In a four way fight for 3rd place. Champs Lg q-f.

Season7 Premier League (A) Wednesday 13/12/17 - WEMBLEY - L 2-0
The PL season was mid-way thru December and in a busy month, now approached the halfway stage just prior to Xmas. Albion were on schedule of a point per game average but there was concern over lack of goals scored recently, while those conceded were racking up. And nobody expected anything much from this next visit to top-six outfit Spurs at their temporary international home. Brighton had been found wanting since their last win at beginning of November, so it was time to stand up and be counted. PL managers knew what Chris Hughton's game plan tended to follow and that we didn't offer too much going forward. In the last few matches Seagulls went behind and were then left chasing the game, often with a mountain to climb. Hughton relied on his settled eleven week in & week out but the team appeared jaded presently. On the night Hughton made wholesale changes, by utilising the 25 man squad for the match-day 18. Somehow a way had to be found to take pressure off defence and create goalscoring opportunities. But was this current match-day squad capable of cutting the Premiership mustard before the transfer window opened?
Albion crashed to defeat again and for all their defending couldn't prevent fickle finger of fate setting a trend. It appeared visitors might keep a clean sheet until the interval but somehow it wasn't to be. A deep cross went all the way to the far post and found the top corner (40min). In the second period Hughton sent on March after an hour and later Murray & Gross but nothing changed. Spurs wrapped it up at the death with a second stroke of fortune. From a set piece the ball struck the back of a diving player and deflected into the net (87min). Hughton said, 'we conceded two poor goals. I thought we grew in confidence. We were always going to be up against it but defended well and restricted them to minimal chances. There were no clear ones and that is all you can do.' Brighton fans had an evening out but could see Seagulls were far from ruling the roost home or away this month so far.
Stats; shape 4231-4141, ht 1-0, goals 40,87, poss 75%-25%, on target 8-4, off target 17-3, corners 10-2, o/s 3-1, fouls 5-10, yellow 1-1, subs 3-3. Gate 46,438 (away 3126)
1 Ryan, 21 Schelotto, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk (capt), 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 7 Kayal (13 Gross), 24 Propper, 19 Izquierdo (20 March), 17 Murray (10 Hemed)
Prem P 17 . W 4 D 5 L 8. F 14 A 23 . Pt 17 Po 13

Total; P38 W23 D8 L7 F74 A36 GD+38 Pt77 Po3 = 2.02pt/gm. Wins = 60.5%, Loss = 18.4% - Mauricio Pochettino. R2 Y51
3qtrs; P29 W17 D7 L5 F55 A24 GD+31 Pt58 Po4 = 2.00pt/gm. Wins = 58.6%, Loss = 17.2%
Hlfwy; P19 W10 D4 L5 F34 A18 GD+16 Pt34 Po5 = 1.7pt/gm. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 26.3%
Start; P10 W6 D2 L2 F19 A7 GD+12 Pt20 Po3 = 2.00pt/gm. Wins = 60%, Loss = 20%
Aug - failure to reach the top four will be seen as a slight setback during the dual-league Wembley experience.
New Year - in 5th place and in danger of being left behind top four.
March - challenging for runner-up slot. EFL Cup early exit. FA Cup S-F. Champions League last 16.

PREVIOUS PREM;
18/19 - P38 W23 D2 L13 F67 A39 GD+28 Pt71 Po4 = 1.86pt/gm. Wins = 60.5%, Loss = 34.2% - Pochettino.
Made fourth position in a close finish with usual top six candidates. Runners up in all English Champions League final confirmed strength of the Prem.
17/18 - P38 W23 D8 L7 F74 A36 GD+38 Pt77 Po3 = 2.02pt/gm. Wins = 60.5%, Loss = 18.4% - Mauricio Pochettino.
Second best hardly defines this man from Argentina. In 4 seasons he has made Spurs a top-three outfit, bearing in mind the club is in transit to realistically become even bigger.
16/17 - P38 W26 D8 L4 F86 A26 GD+60 Pt86 Po2 = 2.26pt/gm. Wins = 68.4%, Draws = 21%, Loss = 10.5%, CS = 45% - Mauricio Pochettino.
Such was competition at the top that in an average year Spurs may well have won the league. European participation increased the burden away from The Lane.
15/16 - P38 W19 D9 L10 F69 A35 GD+34 Pt70 Po3 = 1.84pt/gm. Wins = 50% - Mauricio Pochettino.
Being a metropolitan club, the term 'bottled it' would seem an apt description of this ultimately disappointing campaign. But the run-in can't be re-run and so it's all history now. P110 W55 D28 L27 Wins = 50%
14/15 - P38 W19 D7 L12 F58 A53 GD+5 Pt64 Po5 = 1.68pt/gm. Wins = 50% - Mauricio Pochettino.
They talk about glass ceilings and at White Hart Lane, Mauricio Pochettino was on the up, without quite managing to crack it in his first season.
13/14 - P38 W21 DD6 L11 F55 A51 GD+4 Pt69 Po6 = 1.81pt/gm. Wins = 55.2% - Andre Villas-Boas & Tim Sherwood.
It was the end of European name AVB and latterly novice coach TS but neither saw it out for too long, as 6th & 7th boss since the reign of legend Glenn Hoddle in 2003.

FA CUP from 13/14; 3rd rnd, 4th rnd, 5th rnd, s-f, s-f, 4th rnd.
LEAGUE CUP; q-f, runners-up, 3rd rnd, 4th rnd, 4th rnd, s-f, 3rd rnd.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE; nq, nq, nq, group stage, last 16, finalists.
EUROPA LEAGUE; last 16, last 32, last 16, last 32, nq, nq.
* * * * * * * * * *

Season4 (A) 29/10/14 Capital One (EFL) Cup r4 - L 2-0
Going to White Hart Lane was very attractive to those Brighton fans who did attend away matches and the allocation of over 4k seats was sold out well in advance. Spurs had provided friendly Prem opposition for pre-season opening of the Amex in 2011 and there had been other footy connexions with the massive metropolitan outfit over previous decades - see Tottenham on the Withdean Era tab. By reaching the last sixteen in this League Cup competition, Albion had kinda got lucky with the draw on each occasion. In early August, Cheltenham were initially despatched at the Amex, then Swindon in Wiltshire a couple of weeks later but only aet. A useful confidence booster at Burton in September put Seagulls in with a squawk of getting the other Albion with WBA but as we drew Spurs, they went off to Bournemouth instead. On the night at White Hart Lane, travel problems in London delayed k-o until 8pm.
Sami Hyypia was forced to field his U20 keeper Chris Walton for debut, after Stockdale damaged a finger in training. Sami also made other changes from regular league line-up too but had left several first teamers on the bench.
Albion went into the interval having kept the home team at bay and Walton performed well to indicate he had a very good future ahead. Spurs had most of possession and chances but Seagulls defended resolutely. Then on start of the second period, the home unit subbed for a ball-playing attacker who soon got past defenders and beat CW (54min). Hyypia double subbed on 65min with direct m-f replacements in vain attempt to stay in the tie. But all to no avail as Spurs piled on pressure and got a second as CW went down to parry an effort but it fell to a striker (74min). BHA had a couple of pen shouts waved away, although Ref would have had to be in benevolent mood to give against 30k home crowd. CMS got on for a few moments at the death as Albion rallied and kept heads up. But in truth, stats showed we were well beat a long time before final whistle. At least the rain stopped and away fans went home in good voice after singing hearts out.
Walton, Calderon, Hughes, Dunk, Chicksen, McCourt (Teixeira), Ince, Holla, Forster-Caskey (Gardner), LuaLua (Mackail-Smith), Colunga.
* * * * *

Withdean Era: 12 seasons from 1999 to 2011.
Season6 04/5 - FA Cup (A).

Tottenham - Home, Falmer Years
SPURS AWAY;
19/20 - P4 W0 D2 L2 F5 A9 GD-4 Pt2 Po9 - 0.50pt/gm or 18.1% of total points. Wins = 0%, Loss = 50%
18/19 - P19 W11 D0 L8 F33 A23 GD+10 Pt33 Po4 = 1.73pt/gm or 46.4% of total points. Wins = 57.8%, Loss = 42.1% - Mauricio Pochettino.
17/18 - P19 W10 D4 L5 F34 A20 GD+14 Pt34 Po3 = 1.78pt/gm or 44.1% of total points. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 26.3% - Mauricio Pochettino.
16/17 - P19 W9 D6 L4 F39 A17 GD+22 Pt33 Po2 (Po5 away) = 1.73pt/gm or 38.3% of total points. Away wins = 47.3% - Mauricio Pochettino.
15/16 - P19 W9 D7 L3 F34 A20 GD+14 Pt34 Po3 = 1.78pt/gm or 48.5% of total points. Wins = 47.3% - Mauricio Pochettino.
14/15 - P19 W9 D4 L6 F27 A29 GD-2 Pt31 Po5 = 1.63pt/gm or 48.4% of total points. Wins = 47.3% - Mauricio Pochettino.
13/14 - P19 W10 D3 L6 F25 A28 GD-3 Pt33 Po6 = 1.73pt/gm or 47.8% of total points. Wins = 52.6% - Andre Villas-Boas & Tim Sherwood.

Season9 Premier League (H) Sat 5/10/19 - W 3-0 ~ Maupay, Connolly 2
By vagaries of those PL fixture computer listings, Spurs were the only top-six giant that Albion would host prior to New Year - before follow-on domestic games during second half of the camaign. And they don't come much bigger than entertaining this huge north London outfit at best of times - remembering they were our big name opposition at opening of the Amex in July 2011 after all. All this apart, Albion had not won a Prem League match at ex-fortress Amex for six months... so no pressure then going into this clash.
Graham Potter had made various changes in formation, method of play and personnel from start of the season but results to date were much the same as during Chris Hughton's 'defence first' tenure. Over 20 players from the PL/PL2 pools were now sent out on loan, so Brighton fans assumed our first team group was best of that whole bunch anyhow. Today would show if they were up to current PL survival standard or not.
Albion notched a sensational victory to send Brighton fans home for tea very happy indeed. Potter set up the team as 442 with Connolly starting on debut alongside Maupay. In opening moments Spurs keeper dropped a cross on the goal-line and Maupay took advantage (3 min). There was then a long delay before their goalie got stretchered off. Seagulls went further ahead when Connolly opened his account, neatly finishing after his back heel flick rebounded off the sub custodian (32min). The teenage wonder striker went solo after the hour mark, smashing a low shot home across the goalmouth (65min). He duly got a standing ovation when replaced by Bissouma with the match already won. Spurs on the otherhand were disappointing, although Albion did what they had to do in keeping them at bay. All in all a very good BHA performance to finally break the Amex hoodoo. Potter said, 'I don't like to talk about individuals after such a strong team effort but Aaron gave us an extra dimension.' After getting a bit of luck from the get go, hosts built on their lead with attacking intent and a super display going forward from midfield, where Gross & Mooy ran the show. The side looked balanced and also created chances from fluid offensive moves. Both strikers were mobile, took the goals well and tested an under par away outfit to beyond previous limits on our turf. Brighton fans hoped this would prove to be a turning point for progress up the table before we met Spurs again on Boxing Day.
Stats; shape 442-4231, h-t 2-0, goals 3,32,65, poss 48%-52%, on target 6-3, off target 5-3, blocks 6-2, crosses 16-15, corners 4-4, o/s 1-1, tackles 23-25, fouls 11-7, yellows 2-1, subs 3-3. Gate 30,610, away xxxx. Weather - dry & mild. MoM - Connolly.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 15 Webster, 5 Dunk Y, 33 Burn, 13 Gross, 6 Stephens Y (17 Murray 90), 46 Alzate (3 Bong 88), 18 Mooy, 44 Connolly (8 Bissouma 80), 7 Maupay. Subs - 27 Button, 14 Balogun, 16 Jahanbakhsh, 20 March.
Prem P8 . W1 D2 L1 . F5 A4 . W1 D1 L2 . F3 A6 . Pt9 Po13 = 1.12pt/gm. Wins = 25%, Loss = 37.5%

Season8 Premier League (H) Sat 22/9/18 - L 1-2 ~ Knockaert
When is the best time to play a top six side? Well, Spurs were third visitors to the Amex this term and we'd already hosted Man Utd here for our first domestic fixture. Ironically those two sides had been our last two games at the Amex back in the spring (see season7 below). And both previous outcomes were posititve in that first campaign. And the north London outfit hadn't exactly been in form lately, suffering both a PL & Champions League defeat this week. On the night (5:30 k-o for pay tv coverage) Hughton named his regular eleven to start and the bench appeared strong. From word go it rained continually.
Hotspur certainly rained on Albion's parade, showering hapless hosts with superior possession and stats. BHA were architects of their own fortress collapse as they wasted what chances were created to score during 90 mins normal time. Stephens got injured early on, to be replaced by Kayal. A dour first half appeared to be goalless but just prior to the break lively visitors then drew blood. From a f-k Murray handled in the wall and so Ref gave a pen, duly converted (42min). During the 2nd 45 Seagulls were better but couldn't make efforts count to level it. Kayal & Bissouma got booked. Hughton put on Jahanbakhsh as locals pushed up with a good spell. But it went tits up again at a fast counter attack (76min). Locadia arrived and hosts reshaped, chasing the game in frantic closing moments. Hughton was not happy with turn of events but in truth Albion came up short and could only blame themselves for defeat to half decent but below par opposition. Brighton fans got wet and felt disappointed the team couldn't take a lead at home, or at least manage the game a tad better from k-o and not just the final half hour when chips were down.
Stats; shape 4411-442, h-t 0-1, goals 93-42,76, poss 28%-72%, on target 4-7, off target 3-5, blocks 1-4, crosses 14-15, corners 5-7, o/s 2-0, tackles 13-18, fouls 15-9, yellows 2-1, subs 3-2. Gate 30,531, away 2954. Weather - rain.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens (7 Kayal 21 Y61), 24 Propper, 20 March (16 Jahanbakhsh 73), 8 Bissouma Y74 (9 Locadia 79), 17 Murray. Subs - 27 Button, 30 Bernardo, 14 Balogun, 10 Andone.
Prem P6 . W1 D1 L1 . F6 A6 . W0 D1 L2 . F2 A5 . Pt5 Po13 = 0.83pt/gm. Wins = 16%, Loss = 50%

Season7 Premier League (H) Tuesday 17/4/18 - 1-1 ~ Gross
Sky tv turned up to add extra bucks to gate money on the night. This game was also re-scheduled as it clashed with FAC S-F ties the following weekend. There were four further fixtures left to play after this and all were also against sides in the top seven. To date Albion's home record versus big-six clubs was: Man City 0-2, Liverpool 1-5, Chelsea 0-4 & Arsenal 2-1. And versus 7th Burnley 0-0 & 8th Leicester 0-2. So on the face of it Seagulls had it all to do and some, to get any kind of result tonight. It was critical BHA didn't drop below a pt/gm average overall, which stood at 1.06 and could drop to 1.03 with defeat. On the night Chris Hughton named his most influencial side to take on the north London giants.
Albion came from behind to snatch a dramatic point and relieve supporters fears of possible meltdown during the crucial run in. Visitors dominated the match as expected but hosts were always in the game despite quality of opposition threats & forays. After a goalless first half Spurs went ahead moments into the second period. A mix up in defence presented an easy chance to the Hotspur striker (48min). But locals hit back immediately when Izquierdo got tripped in the box. Gross stepped up to smash home the spot kick (50min). Hughton sent on Ulloa & March to freshen up attack and the defence held out to the death. Hughton said, 'against these sides you've got to give everything. It's about concentration - not allowing the quality they've got to have really good opportunities. We had some good spells and that's what you have to do because that eats up the time as well.' Brighton fans were overjoyed at the final whistle and many felt this vital point gained would be enough to get Seagulls over the cut off line as of now.
Stats; shape 4411-4231, ht 0-0, goals 50-48, poss 36%-64%, on target 5-6, off target 2-5, corners 3-4, fouls 6-5, yellows1-0, subs 2-3. Gate 30,440 (away )
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 7 Kayal, 19 Izquierdo (20 March 77), 13 Gross, 17 Murray (16 Ulloa 74).
Prem P 34 . W 8 D 12 L 14 . F 32 A 47 . Pt 36 Po 13