PERVIS ESTUPINAN has had a long, old wait to get back to the game he loves… but with goals like this, perhaps it was worth it.
The Ecuadorian full-back had been out since September with a thigh problem – save for a 12-minute appearance against Ajax in November which ended up setting him back – before last night’s stellar showing against Spurs.
His comeback probably happened even sooner than expected as he came on at half-time for Igor Julio due to a suspected injury.
But the rampaging full-back and fantasy football darling was not about to let the opportunity pass him by, even with Brighton already 2-0 up thanks to Jack Hinshelwood’s blast and a Joao Pedro penalty.
And on 63 minutes, he gave the Amex crowd something to remember as he took aim from 25 yards and guided an explosive missile of a shot into the top corner.
Helpless Spurs stopper Guglielmo Vicario was left clutching the same thin air into which his boss Ange Postecoglou had seen his side’s last remaining hope for this game evaporate.
When Pedro struck his second spot-kick of the game after Gio Lo Celso’s silly tackle on Evan Ferguson, Postecoglou was staring down his worst defeat as Spurs boss.
Prior to that it had been the 4-1 home implosion against Chelsea, but unlike that day, the Aussie could not blame two red cards for his side’s failings.
In the end his team did beat that scoreline when Ben Davies headed home, after sub Alejo Veliz had grabbed one back late on for his first goal for the club.
But the young Argentine’s personal joy did not mask what was a horror show for his side as a whole – save for a late rally – and one that dented their top-four hopes.
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Both teams had nine players injured and while that was very noticeable with slack-looking Spurs, you would never have known it with Brighton given how fresh they seemed.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side completely dominated their opponents for 81 minutes that resembled the Seagulls at their fast-paced, one-touch best during the Italian’s reign.
It was only the rock-solid presence of Vicario that prevented the opener coming quicker than it did.
The Italy international, whose £16million fee from his summer transfer from Empoli is looking more of a snip with each passing game, denied Danny Welbeck twice in quick succession from close range.
Yet there was nothing Hugo Lloris’ successor could do about the thunderous strike that broke the deadlock.
It came from the foot of young Hinshelwood, who had been picked out by Pedro on the right-side of the box and crashed the ball into the roof of the net.
On 20 minutes, Jan Paul van Hecke headed against Pascal Gross’ corner against the post as the pressure grew.
In the aftermath all of Brighton’s attacking players were screaming for a penalty for Dejan Kulusevski’s tug-back on Welbeck as the Albion striker went to volley the loose ball.
Referee Jarred Gillett played on but when eventually there was a pause in play, VAR told him to go to his pitchside monitor to have another look.
Pedro was so confident the spot-kick would be given that he stood on the penalty spot, clutching the ball, waiting for the inevitable decision which promptly came.
The Brazil striker was even cooler as he sent Vicario the wrong way for number two.
While Kulusevski received his fifth yellow of the season for the initial offence, meaning he will be suspended for the New Years’ Eve hosting of Bournemouth.
Even James Milner, who turns 38 next week, was getting in on the attacking action as he curled against the post from distance, leaving a full-stretch Vicario well-beaten.
The fabulous football kept on coming from the hosts who had the ball in the net again thanks to a tasty half-volley from Facundo Buonanotte – but he was offside.
Tottenham’s disastrous half threatened to get worse when Pedro Porro’s sloppy backpass was pounced on by namesake Pedro, though Vicario managed to flick his chip just wide.
Spurs knew they could not get much worse and returned after the break hoping to show a new face, with Kulusevski seemingly showing his intent by ditching the mask protecting his broken nose.
Richarlison had two goals chalked off for offside in a brief revival which was extinguished when the returning Estupinan took centre stage with his howitzer from range.
Three became four when Lo Celso took out fellow sub Ferguson from behind and Pedro did the honours.
Yet Postecoglou is not a man for giving up and there was the faintest, microscopic glimmer of hope when Veliz squirmed the ball home with nine minutes to go.
That turned into a genuine belief when Davies headed home Porro’s cross four minutes later.
The Amex grew nervous as nine minutes of injury time were awarded and Pedro roared the crowd to power his team home in the dying minutes.
Amazingly, there was still time for Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg to fire against a post.
Porro came in for the rebound but was repelled by a block from who else but Estupinan, not to be denied his well-earned day.
You can follow how the action unfolded in our live blog below…
