Mauricio Pochettino insisted his changes were not the reason for Tottenham’s failure to win at Brighton.
Spurs drew 1-1 at the Amex Stadium, where Harry Kane’s 26th league goal of the season put them in sight of an 11th away win of the campaign.
Brighton hit back just two minutes later when Pascal Gross equalised from the penalty spot after Serge Aurier had fouled Jose Izqui.
Toby Alderweireld was handed his first Premier League start since October by boss Pochettino, who made six changes.
Alderweireld, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, came into Spurs’ starting XI in place of Davinson Sanchez.
Ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United, midfielder Dele Alli was left out of Pochettino’s squad, while Kieran Trippier, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier and Erik Lamela dropped to the bench as Aurier, Victor Wanyama, Moussa Sissoko, Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min were given starts.
“We tried to give the team some fresh legs. I think we have a squad good enough to win games,” Pochettino told Sky Sports after the game.
“The most important thing is the big picture, we have a big squad with very good players and everyone is ready to play. We have to give credit to Brighton.
“We created chances but not enough to win the game. We are a little bit disappointed because the intention was to get the three points.”
