Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has highlighted Djed Spence’s contribution to Brighton’s equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. Roberto De Zerbi’s men were 2-1 ahead heading into stoppage time in what looked to be a vital three points in the battle against the drop.

However, Georginio Rutter struck in the 95th minute to shatter Tottenham‘s hopes, leaving them firmly in the relegation zone with six fixtures remaining. Pedro Porro and Xavi Simons had appeared to put Spurs in a commanding position to secure their first victory since 28th December.

Despite a markedly improved display, Spurs squandered a golden opportunity to climb out of the bottom three ahead of West Ham United’s encounter with Crystal Palace on Monday night.

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Reflecting on Saturday’s performance, Carragher told Sky Sports: “We’re talking about time, we’re talking about the 94th minute. Djed Spence who has come on in the 76th minute, now, he’s done well he’s closed down [his man].

“He can’t pull out [of the press] he’s got to keep going and he’s unlucky. But Djed Spence, I don’t like this. You’ve got to sprint back.

“He’s walking. He was a sub. He’s only been on 15 minutes. Then you’ve got you two young midfield players, we highlighted them in the Sunderland game, they didn’t start this game.

“But they understand football, they’re clever those two young lads [Bergvall and Gray]. They know somebody has got to fill in at left-back.

“The left-back is now here [Spence is up the pitch]. They look to fill in. Now, the situation here, Porro leaves his man, but Paulinha now ends up at right-back.

“We’re going to keep an eye on Djed Spence here, it comes into Danso and everyone is talking about his mistake, but he [Spence] starts walking, then walks again because he thinks Danso has got the ball.

“Your two midfield players are filling in for him at left-back, leaving their slot in midfield and that’s where Rutter scores the goal. Brilliant finish on that left foot, but it’s an absolute body blow for them.

“You can see the reaction from them, but listen there was a lot of positives to take from it for Tottenham in terms of how they went about it and how they played. [De Zerbi] won’t feel that right now.”

Spurs return to action this weekend when they face Wolves, whose relegation has now been confirmed. It represents a pivotal fixture for De Zerbi’s men, with their opponents having precious little to play for.

Nevertheless, Carragher is far from convinced. He said: “We’re talking the last time they won? What month was it? December?

“They haven’t won a Premier League game since December. It’s unbelievable. So, to think you will go to an away game and just win… I can’t see them losing the (Wolves) game and they could nick it, of course they could, but I’ve seen other teams go there and find it difficult at Wolves with the way they set up.”