Tottenham Hotspur went into Brighton expecting a victory on Sunday, but the home side scored early and held on for a 1-0 victory.
It was a much-needed result for the Seagulls, who now have a seven-point gap between themselves and the three teams in the relegation zone. But for Tottenham, Sunday's result comes as a shock as the Londoners see themselves as a title candidate.
The loss leaves Spurs in sixth place — two points behind West Ham — when a victory would've seen them take over fifth and breathing down the necks of fourth-place Leicester City.
Despite losing to 17th-place Brighton, Spurs manager Jose Mourinho wasn't overly disheartened in the immediate aftermath. The Tottenham boss chose to focus on the positives he saw from the match rather than revel in the dismay of losing a second-straight Premier League game, while also acknowledging the problems that beset the side during Sunday's loss.
"We didn't start well," Mourinho told Sky Sports immediately after the match. "In fact, [Brighton] could've scored immediately when they hit the post, and then, [it was] a very similar situation where they scored the goal. And in the first half, I felt that the team was probably too set with that goal conceded and with the situation. A bit disconnected, a little bit of lack of energy.
"In the second half — especially in the last 25-30 minutes — they gave everything, of course with some limitations. We couldn't score, we didn't create many chances — the goalkeeper made a phenomenal [save]. And, of course, we were dominant, but at the same time, we give them the chance to counterattack.
"So, in the second half, I think probably we deserved more, in spite of [them having] an incredible chance to score [in the 85th minute]."
Mourinho was quick to praise his players for never giving up, particularly defender Toby Alderweireld. It was Alderweireld's goal-line tackle with five minutes remaining that stopped Brighton from doubling the lead, and Mourinho noted after the match that the defender was playing with an injury.
That kind of fighting spirit gave Mourinho a good feeling despite the result, the manager said.
"Great spirit was shown," Mourinho said. "[They] showed me in the second half that they are suffering with not good results — two defeats in a row — they showed that they're suffering, and they tried to fight against that sadness, let's say that. They tried.
"So I have nothing to say negative[ly] about them. I leave the game with a good feeling with my boys because of what they tried to do in a second half."
Spurs are next in action against Chelsea on Thursday, with the teams level on points heading into the match.