Sky Sports pundit blames Tottenham star after crucial points dropped in Brighton draw

Jack Otway
Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:38:40 +0000

Sky Sports pundit Michael Dawson has criticised Tottenham's Kevin Danso following their 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday night.

Spurs were forced to settle for just a point, rather than all three, after Georginio Rutter levelled for the visitors in stoppage time.

Tottenham had gone 2-1 up before that, with Xavi Simons sparking wild celebrations around the ground before Brighton snatched a draw right at the death.

It was a huge setback for Spurs, who had been mere seconds away from a first win of the Roberto De Zerbi era.

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In the build-up to Rutter's goal, Danso failed to clear his lines with Brighton ultimately making the 27-year-old pay the price.

And Sky Sports pundit Dawson has criticised the Austria international, suggesting he should have done better in the heat of the moment.

He said: "They have to take the positives, but it will feel like a loss - when you take the lead at home twice, even the position Spurs are in with no wins in 15, I though when they went 2-1 up, 'this is a chance to turn your fortunes around and climb out of the bottom three. Go ahead of West Ham, put the pressure on them.'

"And then one mistake from Danso, who switches off in the final moment of the game, you are a centre half, you clear your lines, you do everything to make sure we get out of here with a win this football match.

"And this will feel like a huge two points dropped..."

Fellow pundit Alan Smith echoed that sentiment.

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The former Arsenal star said: “It will feel like a defeat but they’ve got to try to take the positive from it – the performance, a couple of goals, they’ve got to judge it as a point gained.

“They’ve got to take that performance, intensity, work rate, fight forward now, and they’ll give themselves a chance.”

Tottenham boss De Zerbi, meanwhile, insists he saw enough fight from his players - something that could bode well as they battle to beat the drop.

"I know we are fighting to stay in the Premier League. A very difficult moment. But we are lucky, every one of us to work in this club with these fans because it was an incredible atmosphere today," said the Italian.

"You would think we are fighting for Champions League, not relegation. Until the end we will fight in every game and give our best. If we are able to give our best, it's not finished yet.

"Today I saw signs, I saw blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without the ball. Everything to reach our target.

"We have to improve a lot of things. The crucial part is to keep this mentality and I told the players to come on Monday afternoon with the same behaviour they showed today.

"I don't want to work with sad people, with negative people. They have to believe in myself.

"If I am here, it's because I am positive to stay in the Premier League next season."