Tottenham ended a run of three straight defeats by scoring in each half and holding on for a 2-1 victory at Brighton.

Spurs dominated possession in heavy rain in East Sussex and Harry Kane broke the deadlock in a first half of few chances, drilling in a penalty after a Glenn Murray handball.

Anthony Knockaert spurned a great chance to equalise on 66 minutes, firing straight at Spurs' third-choice goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

But the visitors ensured there would be no repeat of their Champions League collapse at Inter Milan in midweek when substitute Erik Lamela scored their second, sweeping in a Danny Rose cross from 12 yards.

Knockaert pulled one back in stoppage time but Brighton were unable to salvage a third straight Premier League draw.

Low-risk strategy pays off for Spurs

Given the conditions and their recent form, it was hardly surprising to see Spurs gain early control of the game and play with a low-risk strategy.

At half-time they had enjoyed 78.6% possession with a passing accuracy of 92.4% - although few of those passes were telling balls into the final third.

While that led to a half as drab as the weather, Spurs were comfortable before the break without looking like they would carve open the hosts' defence.

Kane's penalty was one of only two shots on target in the first half. The other was from a Kieran Trippier corner, when Toby Alderweireld's near-post header was deflected and keeper Mat Ryan saved acrobatically to his left.

The game opened up after the interval, with Brighton enjoying a brief spell of pressure, but Spurs continued to monopolise possession.

Lamela spread the play to the recalled Lucas Moura, who found Rose down the left before Lamela got on the end of a low cross to ease any Tottenham nerves.

Spurs have shown they can play more expansively than this, but after league defeats by Watford and Liverpool, boss Mauricio Pochettino will be happy to leave that for another day.

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