View: 88% Tottenham star absolutely key for Ange, Joe Hart wowed as MOTD footage emerges

Ange Postecoglou has multiple positives to focus on at Tottenham despite the frustrating 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Sunday (6 October).

Spurs raced into a 2-0 lead in the first half at the Amex Stadium, with Brennan Johnson and James Maddison taking advantage of the pressure and firing Postecoglou’s men ahead.

Having clearly gone into cruise control, nobody saw the Seagulls’ comeback happening, especially after the first 45 minutes, but Yankubah Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck had other ideas.

If fans were to focus on the positive first half, they would have seen the exact reason Spurs splashed out £65million on Dominic Solanke despite not hitting the back of the net himself [BBC Sport].

Speaking via BBC’s Match of the Day 2 [6 October], Joe Hart said: “Here comes the press from Solanke. He was excellent, leading the press the whole way. He really put the pressure on.

“Udogie’s high up the pitch, they don’t give up just because they haven’t turned the ball over yet, and the counter-press is excellent. The hustle and bustle helps the turnover, and they’re ready to kill from his moment on. It’s a beautiful pass from Solanke and Johnson carried on his form.”

Dominic Solanke is the perfect Tottenham striker for Ange Postecoglou

While the 27-year-old had the least touches of any outfield player to play 90 minutes (20) [FotMob], Solanke’s on-pitch impact was certainly felt and appreciated by his teammates.

He constantly pressed Brighton’s backline throughout the 90 minutes, and when he did win the ball back, his 88 per cent passing accuracy was essential as he created a big chance for Johnson‘s opening goal.

Solanke also completed 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles and long balls, maintaining his accuracy on the ball when he finally did come into possession at the Amex.

Postecoglou loves a striker who puts pressure on the opposition, forcing them to play the ball quickly, and often inaccurately, even if he only wins 50 per cent of his ground and aerial duels and picks up two fouls.

Of course, as an out-and-out striker, the main ambition will be for him to hit the back of the net on a regular occasion, but his hard work in the build-up cannot be ignored.

Despite not actually unleashing any shots against the Seagulls, he still managed to accumulate an xG of 0.28, which is a testament to his work off the ball, as well as his desire to create for his teammates.

Just an increase to his 0 per cent crossing accuracy may have seen him grab another assist, which in turn, would have finished off the game for Spurs rather than dropping all three points in the 3-2 loss.

In other Tottenham news, Ange Postecoglou won’t be happy with a 33% star as he was slammed by a Sky Sports pundit.

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