🔬 The Debrief as Brighton stun Spurs; Villa-Man Utd bore; Chelsea falter

Sunday saw the seventh game week of the Premier League season round off, with three games taking place.

Here is what we made of it all.

What happened?

In the game of the day, Brighton came from two down to beat Spurs 3-2 at the Amex Stadium. Brennan Johnson and James Maddison had put Ange Postecoglou’s side in command, but a second half collapse saw them concede goals to Yankubu Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck, and ultimately throw the game away.

On the other end of the entertainment scale, Aston Villa and Manchester United played out a very dull 0-0 draw at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side looked drained after their European heroics, and Erik ten Hag almost played for a point.

Nottingham Forest continued their fine start to the season and their unbeaten away record with an impressive 1-1 draw at Chelsea. Chris Wood gave them the lead early into the second half, before Noni Madueke equalised shortly after. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side survived the sending off of James Ward-Prowse late on to get their point.

Player of the day

Brighton’s comeback was a collective effort, with three different goalscorers, but one player stood above the rest in the second half.

Kaoru Mitoma was deployed on the left but with a licence to roam inside, which led to him dictating much of the Seagulls’ play. He was helped by Spurs’ haphazard defence, which fell to pieces as the pressure increased, but it was a mighty impressive showing.

He was simply everywhere, winning the ball, picking it up deep and running at defenders. His best moment arrived in the 58th minute when he teed up Rutter for the equaliser, after breaking free from the Spurs midfield.

The numbers back up Brighton and their Japanese magician’s brilliant day.

Stat of the day

There’s not much left to say, is there?

What this means

Chelsea and Villa’s draws mean they remain level on points with 14 apiece, but the Blues sit above in fourth due to their superior goal difference.

Brighton’s stunning comeback win sees them leapfrog Spurs into sixth. It was their first victory since August, but they have now lost just one of their opening seven games.

Forest remain in ninth, and continue their strong start to the season, while Manhcester United languish in 14th, and surely there is a serious discussion to take place in the coming days over Ten Hag’s position.

What they said

Ange Postecoglou pulled no punches when analysing a terrible second half collapse from his Spurs side.

“What we did in that second half is unacceptable and we got what we deserved. Maybe we just thought we’d roll out there and play well again and that’s not how it works and we paid for it. We’ve conceded before but it is how you react and our reaction wasn’t what it should be. It’s a bad day for us and when it’s a bad day the responsibility falls at my feet.”

Erik ten Hag continued with the same lines he has repeated time and time again in the last few weeks, in what could be his final interview as United manager.

“We are all on board, together, on one page. We know what we are working to, it is a long-term project. We have to keep improving. We proved in two very tough away games that this is a team. We showed our togetherness, our spirit, but also the belief and faith we have.”

While most people expected a Villa win, Unai Emery was somewhat content with a draw.

“We missed some energy, but I am happy because the draw was not the worst result, and in the second half we corrected some things to control the match.

Chelsea had their second game of the early season with six or more yellow cards, but Enzo Maresca was looking at the positives of their supposed ill-discipline.

“For sure, there are things that we can control and do better, for sure no doubt, and probably this is one of the things. But if you ask me about the team spirit, the way they are fighting together, the way they are doing things together, I’m very happy.”

What comes next?

The second international break of the season to be precise, as club football pauses for two weeks.