Christian Eriksen scored a dramatic late winner to strengthen Tottenham Hotspur’s hold on third place as they beat a spirited Brighton & Hove Albion side 1-0.

The visitors, fighting against relegation at the foot of the table, had denied Tottenham at every turn with a packed defence limiting to reduce the chances of their hosts, and they so nearly completed the task until the Dane eventually found the chink in their armour, driving home a 25-yard winner in the 88th minute.

Eriksen collected a pass from Dele Alli and drilled a low shot into the corner.

Spurs created their first chance of note when Eriksen took aim from distance and his shot bounced in front of Dele Alli before going wide.

Albion worked their first opening when Pascal Gross played an enticing free kick into the box, and Victor Wanyama’s clearance sailed over the crossbar.

Eriksen was involved in the thick of the action down the other end when his free kick caused a scramble inside the Albion penalty area; Jan Vertonghen’s effort was blocked by Lewis Dunk, before Maty Ryan clawed the ball away from Wanyama, allowing Bernardo to clear the danger.

Bernardo was called into action again moments later, as the Brazilian made a fine block to deny his compatriot Lucas Moura after Heung-Min Son caught out the Albion defence with a short free kick.

Hughton’s men continued to defend resolutely, as Dunk produced a brilliant sliding clearance to keep out Moura’s angled strike after the Brazilian was teed up by Eriksen.

It had looked as though Spurs would be frustrated as Seagulls goalkeeper Mat Ryan and central defenders Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk produced superb performances to keep them at bay.

But Eriksen’s goal means Brighton remain only three points clear of third-from-bottom Cardiff City with three matches left each.

The victory puts Spurs three points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and four ahead of Arsenal.

Photo Credit: premierleague.com