The Harry Kane and Heung-min Son duo combined yet again, as Tottenham took home all three points from their trip to Brighton.
It was the South Korean's delivery into the England forward - who headed home from close range, mid-way through the first half, which was the only goal of a competitive evening kick-off.
A good spell of Brighton pressure, prior to the half-time break, made it seem like Tottenham would have been in for a very difficult second half.
However, for the most part, the visitors negotiated the second period with relative comfort.
The win extends Tottenham's advantage from fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table and ensures the possibility of them being overtaken by today's opponents did not materialise itself into reality.
Story of the match
Roberto De Zerbi selected an unchanged 11 from their entertaining 3-3 draw at Anfield. This was the Italian manager's first home game in charge of Brighton.
For Tottenham, four changes from Antonio Conte led to starts for Ben Davies, Ryan Sessegnon, Matt Doherty and former Seagull - Yves Bissouma. With Richarlison being one of the men to drop down to the bench, this also meant a change of shape for Spurs - into a 3-5-2 formation.
Perhaps due to the extra man in midfield, the visitors were able to control much of the early possession, as either team was unable to have too many clear sightings of goal.
The two Tottenham wing-backs combined, with Sessegnon's cross being met by Doherty - who sent a left-footed half-volley over the bar. Son's long-range effort also had the same fate, during a cagey start to the game.
Brighton responded to a few of the visitor's efforts, when Danny Welbeck had a good sighting of goal in the 17th minute. He ran onto a through ball and hit a low strike narrowly wide of the far corner.
Just a few minutes later, Rodrigo Bentancur's powerful strike from outside of the box led to the corner, from which Tottenham got the breakthrough. The initial delivery into the box was dealt with. However, as the ball fell back to Son on the right side, his low cross was diverted by Kane's header, past Robert Sanchez's reach.
The opening goal did not necessarily burst the game into life. The next quarter of an hour was played out fairly quietly, with just a few efforts at goal from either side, which did not do much to disturb Hugo Lloris and Sanchez.
As we approached the half-time break, the hosts managed to put Tottenham under pressure. A corner almost put Brighton back level - Lewis Dunk's header floated narrowly over the bar, with Lloris rooted to his spot.
Shortly after, a long-range effort from Solly March curled just wide, as Brighton began to have much more of the ball and make Tottenham's evening a lot more uncomfortable.
A stinging effort from Welbeck provided some work for the keeper, just before the break. The visitors would have been very relieved to head into the interval still ahead.
An initially lively start to the second half from Brighton was calmed fairly briskly. For the first part of the second half, Tottenham were able to alleviate some of the building pressure, from the ending of the first period.
Just after the hour mark, Kane had a brilliant chance to double Spurs' lead. As the ball was approaching him, the forward spotted Dunk rushing out from behind to close him down. Kane's first touch saw him spin the defender and have the space to unleash an effort from inside of the box at goal. From a position where many would expect Kane to hit the back of the net, he could only drag his low effort wide of the war post.
Kaoru Mitoma made an impact when he came on, as he used his energy to burst into the Tottenham box, before being met by Lloris. However, the earlier wave of Brighton pressure had significantly subsided, by this point.
Son unleashed a signature, curling effort from long-range, which nestled in the corner of Sanchez's goal. The fantastic strike was ruled out, as the forward was narrowly offside when he received the ball.
Welbeck had another attempt at goal, as the game entered its' final 15 minutes, but the forward sent another effort wide of the mark - symbolising Brighton's frustrating second half.
An important challenge from Doherty ensured that the ball did not drop to Leandro Trossard, in a dangerous area. Seconds later, a crucial defensive intervention from Kane prevented Lloris from having a potential save to make, as the visitors were seeing out the final few minutes with great discipline.
The five minutes of added time were not enough for the hosts to find an equaliser. Tottenham earned an important victory, with a very well-disciplined performance.
Player of the match - Harry Kane
It was a game fairly low on attacking quality. Kane provided a rare moment of brilliance, with his instinctive header - effectively redirecting Son's delivery.
The England forward was not at his scintillating best on the evening, but his class was the difference between the two teams - particularly with Welbeck squandering a few decent sights of the Tottenham goal, at the other end.
Kane solidified second place in the Premier League top scorers chart - scoring his eighth goal of the season. He trails only the remarkable Erling Haaland - sitting at a staggering total of 15.
