Harry Kane struck his eighth league goal of the season as Tottenham bounced back from their North London Derby woes in a plucky 1-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
A minute's applause was undergone prior to kick-off, commemorating the life of Gian Piero Ventrone, the Tottenham fitness coach, who passed away just three days before the game.
Spurs made four changes to the side which took part in the 0-0 draw at Frankfurt, whilst Brighton remained unchanged after the enthralling 3-3 draw against Liverpool.
Antonio Conte offered rare starts to Yves Bissouma and Matt Doherty, with Ryan Sessegnon and Ben Davies also recalled to the starting eleven.
Whilst Harry Kane's header was all that could separate the sides, there were some surprise standout performances from other players.
Here are the player ratings for the close encounter:
Robert Sanchez - 6.5/10
Could do very little about Kane's goal and was not really called into action much. De Zerbi has clearly encouraged his goalkeeper to be comfortable in possession and play out from the back, but the 24-year-old was perhaps guilty of pondering on the ball for too long on some occasions.
Solly March - 6.5/10
Solly March is due a goal and came ever so close with a low, left-footed drive which went agonisingly wide of Hugo Lloris' near post. An interesting battle versus Ryan Sessegnon which the Spurs man just got the better of.
Joel Veltman - 6.5/10
Tottenham, characteristically, were rarely on the front foot and so the Dutchman was rarely called into action. Was correctly given a booking for felling Heung-Min Son, although he was adamant he had won the ball. If we are being really cynical, perhaps he could have scanned better for Kane's opener after the marksman was left in acres of space.
Lewis Dunk - 7.5/10
A great display from the Seagulls' captain. Made a crucial intervention to prevent Son from doubling Tottenham's lead and almost pulled his side level prior to that in the first half, with a header sailing just a couple of yards over the bar. Would be a rogue shout in Gareth Southgate's squad, but certainly deserves to be in the conversation.
Adam Webster - 7/10
Had very little to do, much like Veltman. Tottenham's lack of intensity in pressing gave the centre-back lots of time on the ball to pick the right passes, which he did effectively throughout.
Pervis Estupinan - 6.5/10
Was given a warm applause as he departed in the 67th minute, but the Ecuador international failed to have any meaningful impact on the game. Estupinan was not called upon too often in a defensive sense as Matt Doherty rarely progressed forward.
Moises Caicedo - 7/10
Kept things ticking in the midfield and complemented Mac Allister well. He also fed Danny Welbeck on some occasions but the striker could not make the most of them
Alexis Mac Allister - 7/10
The defensively stability of Caicedo allowed the Argentine to progress forward and create for the interchangeable attacking three. Also saw more of the exciting midfielder in a defensive sense, which he rose to the occasion of. He has had better performances this season, but was unlucky to be on the losing side.
Leandro Trossard - 6.5/10
Arguably a harsh rating but this is taking into account of just how good Leandro Trossard can be. Off the back of his stellar Anfield hat-trick, the Belgian, whilst effervescent, could not quite create any clear-cut shot creating actions, with his final pass being a little off. However, he is a man who gets the crowd off of their seat - some player.
Pascal Gross - 6.5/10
Assisted Lewis Dunk's header which rose just over the bar but the forward was probably the least potent for the Seagulls this evening.
Danny Welbeck - 6/10
The former Gunner would have loved to have nicked a point for his side this evening given his history with Tottenham but was largely profligate and should have done better. Flashed a shot wide of Lloris' far post when the superior option could have been squaring to Trossard.
Substitutes
Kaoru Mitoma - 7.5/10
Brighton's brightest spark. Was introduced with around 25 minutes to play and definitely impressed. Mitoma jinked and jived with the ball at his feet and toyed with Spurs' right side on numerous occasions. Clearly another fantastic piece of scouting from the recruitment team behind the scenes.
Tariq Lamptey - N/A
Billy Gilmour - N/A
Hugo Lloris - 7/10
Whilst Brighton amounted 14 shots over the course of the match, the Spurs skipper was rarely troubled and competently thwarted all four of the strikes on target. A confident display given his errors at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Matt Doherty - 7/10
The Irishman's first start of the season after Emerson Royal served the first of his three-game suspension. He could have perhaps have done better with a half-volleyed chance in the first half but made a crucial tackle to prevent Leandro Trossard from levelling at the death.
Ben Davies - 7/10
A very typical Ben Davies performance, who fits the role which Antonio Conte has given him like a glove. Far more suited to left-sided centre-back and hardly placed a foot wrong all game.
Eric Dier - 7/10
Another assured performance from Spurs' ever-present central defender. Was never truly tested and will surely be eagerly anticipating his inclusion in Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad next month.
Cristian Romero - 7/10
Typically aggressive in defence and composed in possession. Was afforded the opportunity to get forward more than his defensive partners and read the game well. However, the Argentine made a rash challenge towards the end of the game which could have costed his side.
Ryan Sessegnon - 7.5/10
Sessegnon certainly recognises that his starting place under Antonio Conte will be under threat for many years, due to Ivan Perisic's presence and the eventual arrival of Destiny Udogie in the summer. The youngster stood up Solly March well in defensive zones and offered far more offensively than Doherty. A solid performance.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 7.5/10
Whilst he has faced some unfair criticism from certain Tottenham supporters, few can deny that the Dane has been one of Spurs' best and most consistent players this season. Pressed very well and his transitional play from defence into attack should not go unnoticed. Another good performance.
Yves Bissouma - 6.5/10
A happy return to the Amex for the 26-year-old. Conte's decision to revert to a 3-5-2 formation suited Bissouma. A steady display, but there is still the general consensus that he can offer so much more and dust off some of the cobwebs which were evident this evening.
Rodrigo Bentancur - 7/10
Another assured performance from a player who regularly gets his team out of tight situations. Complemented his midfield partners excellently and won the corner which led to Kane's decisive goal.
Heung-Min Son - 6.5/10
Whilst the South Korean registered another assist, there is still a feeling amongst Spurs fans that he is still not quite up to speed. Emulated his stunning left-footed strike versus Leicester but a late offside flag correctly ruled the goal out. The forward is still guilty of overthinking with the ball at his feet and needs to regain his ruthlessness in front of goal.
Harry Kane - 7.5/10
Another game, another goal. Kane's consistency in front of goal has gone under the radar due to a certain robot who rudely entered the league recently. The reactions for his goal showed fantastic intuition and he could have doubled his tally in the second half, only to drag a right-footed shot wide of the mark. Reliable.
Substitutes
Richarlison - 5.5/10
Failed to truly impact the game and frequently gave the ball away which put his teammates under pressure. Not his best night.
Ivan Perisic - N/A
Oliver Skipp - N/A