Dimitar Berbatov is left ‘lost for words’ after Tottenham’s second-half capitulation – as former striker insists 3-2 defeat was simply ‘not Spurs’

Dimitar Berbatov has shared his disbelief at Spurs’ second-half capitulation at Brighton, as Ange Postecoglou‘s men threw away a 2-0 lead to lose to the hosts 3-2. 

Three second-half goals from Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck totally turned the game on its head, after Spurs had led 2-0 at half time.

Berbatov, who made 70 Premier League appearances for Spurs between 2006 and 2009, reflected on the result with fellow Sky Sports pundits, Les Ferdinand and Steve Sidwell. 

‘I’m lost for words with the second part of the game. You can see the expression on Ange’s [Postecoglou] face. It was not Spurs.’

Brighton went into the break needing something special, after two first-half goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison put Spurs on course for their third Premier League victory in a row.

Berbatov remarked Ange Postecoglou cut a dejected figure on the full-time whistle

Brighton stunned Tottenham with three second-half goals after trailing 2-0 at half time

But the Seagulls came out for the second half a transformed side, with Berbatov pointing towards manager Fabian Hurzeler’s dressing-room rally cry.

‘I’m curious to know what Hurzeler said at half time,’ the former Spurs and Man United striker said. 

‘In the second half everything Brighton did they did better than Spurs. Brighton fought for it and they deserved to win. 

‘Everyone in this room thought Tottenham was going to win, but this is how football is sometimes.’

Another former Spurs striker, Les Ferdinand shared his co-commentator’s sentiments. 

‘[Spurs] were dominant in the first half. They had played that well but this is the Premier League and this is what it can do to you. 

‘They got themselves into a position where they couldn’t get themselves out of it.’ 

Steve Sidwell, who had three stints with Brighton throughout his career, gave full credit to his former side. 

Pundits Steve Sidwell (left) and Les Ferdinand (right) shared their verdicts on their former clubs’ performances with co-panellist Berbatov on Sky Sports 

When asked what he thought of his performance, Sidwell could not hold back his enthusiasm: ‘Superb. I didn’t think they were bad in the first half. Tottenham were superb.’ 

He too credited Hurzeler for masterminding the comeback, pointing towards the second-half substitutions made: ‘The substitution bringing Estupinan on gave Mitoma the license to move inside. 

‘They took the game to Spurs and Spurs capitulated. Ange will be devastated with that second half performance.’