Tottenham let the doubts creep in after losing at home

It was in answer to a generic question about rough tackling that a somewhat malevolent glint flashed in Antonio Conte’s eyes on Saturday evening.

The gist of his response was that as a player he always knew how to make it look an accident, and the temptation thereafter was to wonder if those in his current care might wish to give him a wide berth in the next game of five-a-side. If ever a squad deserved a minor kicking, and all that.

We seem to have reached the point in a season where the obligatory questions are raised about whether Tottenham have the temperament for this gig. That is to say, will their recent resurrection under Conte culminate in a brilliant place among the top four, or will they revert to a floppy stereotype now that a prize is in sight?

Tottenham (4-3-3): Lloris 6.5; Romero 6, Dier 6, Davies 6; Emerson 7, Bentancur 5.5 (Winks 72min, 6), Hojbjerg 6, Reguilon 5.5; Kulusevski 5 (Moura 64), Kane 5, Son 5 (Bergwijn 87). 

Booked: Emerson, Bentancur, Kulusevski. 

Manager: Antonio Conte 5.5.

Brighton (3-5-1-1): Sanchez 6; Veltman 7, Dunk 7, Cucurella 7; Lamptey 7 (March 82), Bissouma 7.5, Caicedo 6.5 (Lallana 78), Gross 7, Trossard 7; Mwepu 6.5 (Welbeck 46, 6); Mac Allister 6.5. 

Booked: Mwepu, Dunk, Bissouma. 

Scorer: Trossard 90. 

Manager: Graham Potter 8.

Referee: Craig Pawson 5. 

Attendance: 58,685.

Of course, one bad defeat against Brighton does not undo the progress of four straight wins achieved on a wave of 14 goals. More so when Arsenal are in such a mess and no great expectations can be placed on Manchester United, especially as both have tougher run-ins.

But Tottenham have left room for doubt, and not only for the bottom line of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Leandro Trossard’s fine goal. It was more