Tottenham vs Brighton LIVE commentary: Spurs welcome Heung-min Son back as they look to jump into top four – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

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Tottenham are set to have Heung-min Son back in their matchday squad as they welcome Brighton this afternoon, live on talkSPORT 2.

South Korea were knocked out of the Asian Cup this week by Jordan, meaning Spurs' captain will be back for this match.

Son and South Korea suffered heartbreak

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Son and South Korea suffered heartbreakCredit: Getty

His return will be a timely boost for Ange Postecoglou as Spurs look to leap above Aston Villa and move into the top four.

Meanwhile, Brighton responded to their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Luton by smashing bitter rivals Crystal Palace 4-1 last time out.

The Seagulls are still well in contention for a Europa League slot and Roberto De Zerbi's men will be up for this one.

Tottenham vs Brighton: What to do with Richarlison?

In Son's absence, Richarlison has moved into the central striker role at Spurs and is suddenly flying.

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The Brazilian struggled in his first year as a Tottenham player, but he's scored nine goals in his last seven league games, including four without Son.

Of course, Son has spent most of his Premier League career as a left winger, so he could be moved back there, meaning Timo Werner would likely be dropped.

Another alternative is to put Son into that false nine position, which would see Richarlison pushed out to the left.

He's played there many times for Spurs but doesn't look as good as when he starts as a striker.

However, Son was brilliant in that role as well, meaning Postecoglou has a decision to make.

But with two forwards in great goalscoring form, there are plenty of worse dilemmas out there.

Son and Richarlison have been a good supply of goals for Spurs

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Son and Richarlison have been a good supply of goals for Spurs Tottenham have won six of their last seven home league games against Brighton, with the exception being a 1-0 loss in April 2022. Following their 4-2 win at the Amex Stadium in December, Brighton are looking to win back-to-back league meetings with Spurs for the very first time. After a run of four defeats in five Premier League games from the start of November (D1), Tottenham have now lost just one of their last eight (W5 D2). That loss did come in the reverse fixture against Brighton, however.

Tottenham vs Brighton: Team news

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner, Richarlison.

Subs: Forster, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Dragusin, Son, Bissouma, Royal, Johnson, Davies.

Brighton XI: Steele; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Gilmour; Buonanotte, Lallana, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Subs: Verbruggen, Webster, Moder, Baleba, Ferguson, Fati, Veltman, Baker-Boaitey, O’Mahony.

Fati is back in contention for Brighton

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Fati is back in contention for BrightonCredit: Getty

Ange Postecoglou pulls prank on journalists by saying Tottenham missed out on the Deadline Day signing of Lewis Hamilton who joined Ferrari

Having won their first two Premier League away games this season, Brighton have since won just one of their last nine on the road (D3 L5), conceding 21 goals across these nine matches. Tottenham have scored in each of their last 35 Premier League games (73 goals total) since a 0-1 defeat to Wolves in March 2023. A goal in this match will make this the joint-second longest scoring streak by a side in the competition’s history (36, level with Liverpool from Mar 2019-Feb 2020 and Man Utd from Dec 2007-Nov 2008), and would be behind only Arsenal’s run of 55 from May 2001 to November 2002. Tottenham have scored at least twice in their last eight Premier League games, only having a longer run between September and December 2011 (11). They’ve also conceded twice in each of their last three, with West Ham in April 2021 the last team to score and concede 2+ goals in four consecutive Premier League matches.

Tottenham vs Brighton: What has been said?

Postecoglou has backed Son to respond to the Asian Cup disappointment he suffered.

He said: "It wouldn't surprise anyone to see him be like that. He was very, very disappointed with Korea's exit because they haven't won it for quite a while and after they got past Australia, when you get to the semi-final stage you feel so close.

"But anyone who watched the tournament [knows] he gave everything for his nation and didn't leave anyone questioning his commitment to his country.

"He was spent by the end of it, but I spoke to him not long after it and he was keen to come back, get amongst the boys again.

"He was keen to come back here. It didn't surprise me that he wanted to train straight away and be available. That's why he is the person he is."

Postecoglou could throw Son straight in to the starting XI

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Postecoglou could throw Son straight in to the starting XI Tottenham have scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of games than any other side in the Premier League this season (8). However, they’ve conceded more often than anyone else in the 90th minute (incl. stoppage time) of games this term (8). Since the start of December, Richarlison has scored more goals than any other Premier League player (9). The Spurs striker has netted nine goals in his last eight league appearances, with the reverse fixture against Brighton the only game in which he’s not scored in this run. João Pedro has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for Brighton in all competitions, a run which started with a brace of penalties in the reverse Premier League fixture against Tottenham. No player has had more touches in the opposition box (172) or created more chances from open play (46) in the Premier League this season than Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski.

Tottenham vs Brighton: Date and how to follow

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, February 10.

Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 3pm.

talkSPORT 2 will have live and exclusive coverage of the match, with Faye Carruthers serving as your host.

Commentary will then come from Ian Danter and former Arsenal star Perry Groves.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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