Spurs missed a chance to move back into the top four as they were thrashed by Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Jack Hinshelwood fired Brighton ahead before Joao Pedro doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Dejan Kulusevski pulled back Danny Welbeck in the area.
Pervis Estupinan made it 3-0 with a brilliant 25-yard effort into the top corner and Joao Pedro added a fourth from the penalty spot. Tottenham threatened an unlikely comeback after Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies pulled two back, but Spurs could not convert a string of other late chances.
It ended a bad few days for Spurs, who have been dealt another injury blow with Cristian Romero set to be sidelined for several weeks with the hamstring strain suffered against Everton on Saturday. Injury-hit Spurs stay fifth, a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City. The win sees Brighton climb above Newcastle into eighth. Spurs are back in action against Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve.