Christian Eriksen struck with two minutes remaining to boost Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Despite dominating possession and enjoying the best chances of the game, Spurs could not find a way past Brighton and Hove Albion.
However, with two minutes left to play, Eriksen was not closed down on the right-hand side of the box and drove the ball into the corner past the despairing dive of Mat Ryan.
The victory moves Mauricio Pochettino’s third-place side three points clear of Chelsea after their draw against Burnley on Monday night.
As for the visitors, Chris Hughton set his side out not to lose and perhaps were unlucky not to nick a point for their sterling defensive efforts.
The Seagulls remain 17th in the table, just three points above Cardiff, who are one place below them, with three matches left of the season.
It was clear that Brighton had not come to play an expansive game and with Spurs starting all of their fit and available big guns it soon became an exercise in home attack versus away defence.
But the hosts were never going to find it easy to search for a way through the 11 Brighton men behind the ball and clear-cut chances were proving difficult to come by in the opening 45 minutes.
They were denied by some heroic defending in the 20th minute as Lewis Dunk blocked Jan Vertonghen’s low shot, with a goalmouth scramble ensuing while they peppered Mat Ryan’s goal with long-distance efforts as Vertonghen, Eriksen and Lucas Moura all teed off.
Spurs did find themselves susceptible to a rare Brighton counter attack as Florin Andone charged down Toby Alderweireld’s attempted pass just outside his own penalty area and raced the entire length of the pitch only to be stopped by a fine Danny Rose tackle.
Pochettino’s men could have gone at half-time in front had it not been for a great Ryan save.
Alli superbly controlled Kieran Trippier’s clever ball in but Ryan got fingertips to his instinctive left-footed shot, with Shane Duffy in the right place to clear things off the line.
Spurs upped the ante after the restart and set up camp in Brighton’s half as the search for the opener resumed.
Again clear opportunities proved elusive as Brighton defended for their lives and it was long-distance efforts that provided the most threat.
Eriksen sent a curling effort rising just over the crossbar while Ryan superbly clawed Rose’s vicious effort.
It was incessant Tottenham attacking and they finally began to get closer as the woodwork denied Alderweireld as he shot on the turn from a corner before Alli blazed over from a good position.
Hueng-min Son, so often the hero for Spurs when they need a goal, then screwed an effort just wide as there was no let-up for Brighton.
Alderweireld had another effort deflected while Eriksen tested Ryan as it looked like Spurs were going to be held to their first goalless draw in 68 games.
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But the Dane had other ideas at the end as he fired home to give Spurs a deserved three.
The win moved them to 70 points, four ahead of Arsenal in fifth place, and they look set to book a fourth year of Champions League football with three games remaining.
For Brighton, who defended stoutly for much of the game, conceding so late would have left them feeling deflated but they can have no complaints and they remain just three points ahead of Cardiff.
Christian Eriksen scored a late winner to strengthen Tottenham Hotspur's hold on third place as they beat a spirited Brighton & Hove Albion side 1-0.. Eriksen collected a pass from Dele Alli and drilled a low shot into the corner with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
Premier League: Christian Eriksen's Late Strike Keeps Tottenham on Course For Top 4 Finish Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur eked out a hard-fought 1-0 win over a brilliantly defensive Brighton and Hove Albion side on Tuesday.
Eriksen strikes late to give Spurs 1-0 victory over Brighton
Eriksen strikes late to give Spurs 1-0 victory over Brighton on WTOP | LONDON (AP) — Christian Eriksen broke through Brighton's resistance with a late goal to give Tottenham a 1-0 victory in
Eriksen strikes late to give Spurs 1-0 victory over Brighton
LONDON — Christian Eriksen broke through Brighton's resistance with a late goal to give Tottenham a 1-0 victory in the Premier League on Tuesday and boost the London club's Champions League
Eriksen strikes late to give Spurs 1-0 victory over Brighton
LONDON (AP) — Christian Eriksen broke through Brighton's resistance with a late goal to give Tottenham a 1-0 victory in the Premier League on Tuesday and boost the London club's Champions League qualification bid. Eriksen struck from distance with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net
Premier League: Christian Eriksen's Late Strike Keeps
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: Christian
Eriksen strikes late to give Spurs 1-0 victory over Brighton League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Tuesday, April 23
Eriksen strikes late to give Spurs 1-0 victory over Brighton
~ Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: Christian Eriksen strikes late to keep Spurs on track for Champions League spot ~ Kenya Latest
Eriksen strikes late to give Spurs 1-0 victory over Brighton
LONDON (AP) — Christian Eriksen broke through Brighton's resistance with a late goal to give Tottenham a 1-0 victory in the Premier League on Tuesday and boost the London club's Champions League qualification bid. Eriksen struck from distance with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net
Christian Eriksen strikes late to keep Spurs on track for
fussboll.com/2019/04/23/christian-eriksen-strikes-late-to-keep-spurs-on-track-for-champions-league-spot/
The Dane sent a rasping shot into the bottom corner with just two minutes of normal time remaining at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Christian Eriksen struck with two minutes remaining to keep Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.
Eriksen strikes late as Spurs break Brighton hearts
THE GREAT DANE Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: Christian Eriksen strikes late to keep Spurs on track for Champions League spot
~ Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: Christian
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