Brighton & Hove Albion capped off their Premier League campaign with a commanding 4-1 away victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, denying the Europa League champions a celebratory send-off.
However, despite the emphatic win, Brighton fell short of European qualification, finishing eighth in the final league standings.
Tottenham, still reveling in their midweek European triumph over Manchester United in Bilbao, struck first after 17 minutes.
Dominic Solanke calmly converted a penalty awarded when Mats Wieffer brought down Mathys Tel in the box.
But the lead didn’t last long after halftime. Brighton came out with renewed energy, and Jack Hinshelwood equalised six minutes into the second half by blasting a shot into the top of the net.
The 19-year-old midfielder was on hand again in the 64th minute, this time executing a sharp back-heel finish following a corner to put the visitors ahead.
Matt O’Riley extended Brighton’s lead from the penalty spot after Diego Gómez was brought down by Yves Bissouma. Gómez then sealed the result in stoppage time with a superb curling strike from outside the area, finding the far top corner to silence the home crowd.
The defeat marked Tottenham’s 22nd loss of the league season, wrapping up a campaign that has seen them collect just 38 points—setting a new low for the club in the Premier League era.
Their 17th-place finish is their worst in over two decades, adding to the mounting pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.
Despite domestic struggles, Spurs fans had plenty to cheer about, having watched their side clinch a first trophy in 17 years and secure Champions League qualification thanks to the Europa League final win.
“How do I assess our season? Outstanding,” said Postecoglou.
“Won a trophy which we haven’t for 17 years and we’re in the Champions League. Ask any supporter at the start of the season if they’d take that and there wouldn’t be a person in the house that wouldn’t.”
Following the final whistle, the players returned to the pitch to parade the Europa League trophy, Spurs’ first European silverware since 1984 and their first overall since the League Cup in 2008.
Speculation remains about Postecoglou’s future at the club, but the Australian remains unfazed.
“It doesn’t bother me asking me about my future,” he added. “I can’t answer. I’m pretty relaxed about it. It has been an unbelievable season. I couldn’t be any prouder.
“I’ll have a break and then hopefully we’ll be back first day next season to start things.”
