Mauricio Pochettino prioritised Tottenham's bid for FA Cup glory at Brighton on Tuesday night, making six changes to his side. The result is that Spurs still have work to do in their bid to secure a third successive top-four finish, after this 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.
Harry Kane put Spurs ahead shortly after half-time, but Brighton equalised just two minutes later as Pascal Gross scored from the penalty spot.
A frustrating evening will be quickly forgotten if Tottenham win Saturday's FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United and then book their place in the Champions League again. But fifth-placed Chelsea can close the gap to five points on Thursday, halving the 10-point gap that existed less than a week ago. If the Blues go on to overhaul Spurs, this draw on the south coast will suddenly look rather costly and the extent of Pochettino's rotation might be revisited.
Positives
Kane looked like he needed a confidence-boosting goal, so his strike was welcome ahead of the big one against Man United.
Toby Alderweireld also had a commanding game on his return to the side and has staked his claim for a starting berth on Saturday, while there were no injuries or dismissals that could affect Pochettino's plans.
Negatives
While Spurs are seemingly improving their strength in depth year on year, their second-string lineup still seems unable to get the required results. Pochettino has fielded weakened sides in FA Cup ties at Newport County and Rochdale, and now at Brighton, and the outcome has been the same: underwhelming draws.
Meanwhile, Serge Aurier continues to cause alarm with his lack of common sense defensively -- he gave away another penalty here. That is one area where Pochettino does not have a selection dilemma ahead of the semifinal.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Few can blame Pochettino for making changes, and he would reasonably have expected more of the side he selected. But he could have introduced Erik Lamela and particularly Mousa Dembele earlier than the 74th minute.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Hugo Lloris, 6 -- Caused a few heart palpitations when he fumbled a first-half header, but otherwise he was solid. He could do little about the equalising penalty.
DF Serge Aurier, 5 -- Won a lot of headers but conceded another brainless penalty when he trod on Jose Izquierdo's foot. The contact may have been unintentional but it is the third time this season that he has fouled an opponent from behind in the box and paid the price, after also doing so against Real Madrid and Juventus.
DF Toby Alderweireld, 7 -- Making his first appearance since February, and his first in the Premier League since October, the Belgian slotted back in seamlessly and didn't put a foot wrong. But he wasn't tested that much.
DF Jan Vertonghen, 7 -- Struggled with his footing in the first half, slipping a few times, but deserved a clean sheet.
DF Ben Davies, 6 -- Got into some good positions and was one of Spurs' more progressive players in the first half, but didn't make the most of those opportunities. Quiet in the second period.
MF Victor Wanyama, 7 -- Did a decent job as a destroyer and won the ball deep in Brighton's half when Spurs opened the scoring.
MF Moussa Sissoko, 6 -- Solid but unspectacular. He helped his side to retain possession but did little to hurt Brighton. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, he tends to replace Dembele in these weakened lineups, and it is never going to be a flattering comparison.
MF Lucas Moura, 6 -- Had some bright moments, winning a dangerous free kick early on, attacking a Son Heung-Min cross and seeing a fizzing 20-yard shot tipped over. But he would have hoped for a more impactful outing and, after firing wastefully wide of the near post in the second half, he faded.
MF Christian Eriksen, 7 -- The Dane was involved in many of Spurs' best moments, playing incisive passes to Davies and Lucas while dummying a pass to give Kane a sight of goal. But he was a little below his best and his free kicks were disappointing.
MF Son Heung-Min, 7 -- Had ineffective periods but also had Spurs' best effort of the first half as he forced a low save from Mat Ryan, and his quick footwork and persistence produced the breakthrough as he rode a tackle on the byline and drew the goalkeeper before teeing up Kane.
FW Harry Kane, 6 -- Endured a frustrating first half, which was summed up when he slipped while shooting from a free kick. But he scored a much-needed goal and looked more confident after that, embarking on some positive runs in deeper areas.
Substitutes
MF Erik Lamela, N/R -- Replaced Lucas and forced an 88th-minute save.
MF Mousa Dembele, N/R -- Gave Spurs more thrust through the middle but was unable to conjure up a winner.
FW Fernando Llorente, N/R -- Entered the fray late on and could not make a telling impact.