Harry Kane pounces to see off Brighton and gets Spurs back to winning ways

Roberto De Zerbi’s first home game in charge of Brighton ended in disappointment after falling to defeat against Tottenham. The former Sassuolo manager failed to defeat a team coached by Antonio Conte in four Serie A matches and his Italian compatriot once again had the upper hand, with Harry Kane’s deft first-half header settling the contest.

Tottenham were well short of their fluent best but Kane’s eighth Premier League goal of the season ensured the club consolidated third place and ended an emotional week on a high. For Brighton, it was a frustrating introduction for De Zerbi at the Amex Stadium with his team failing to reproduce the exhilarating football that gave Liverpool huge problems last week.

De Zerbi named an unchanged team after the draw at Liverpool in his first game in charge, with Moisés Caicedo fit to start in midfield after recovering from a slight injury.

Conte selected the former Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma for only his second start since joining Spurs in the summer. Matt Doherty, Ryan Sessegnon and Ben Davies were also all brought into the team, with Emerson Royal suspended after his dismissal in the defeat at Arsenal.

A minute’s applause was held before kick-off in honour of Gian Piero Ventrone after the death of Tottenham’s fitness coach, with Conte understandably emotional.

Tottenham were given an early opportunity to strike from a free-kick just outside the area but Son Heung-min’s attempt was parried to safety by Robert Sánchez.

Brighton made an explosive start at Anfield last weekend but Tottenham initially dominated possession to prevent the hosts from establishing control. They threatened again after Sessegnon delivered a cross but Doherty’s volley looped over the Brighton crossbar. Son