Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi were both sent off as Tottenham Hotspur controversially returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in North London.

Goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane either side of a Lewis Dunk header propelled the Lilywhites over the line, as Stellini and De Zerbi were both given their marching orders in the wake of a bust-up between the two technical areas.

The hosts benefitted from a number of controversial officiating decisions on the day, though, as Brighton had two goals ruled out for handball and were denied an apparent stonewall penalty, rendering their valiant efforts on the day inconsequential.

Tempers were expected to flare on the pitch, but few could have expected Stellini and De Zerbi to have a set-to on the touchlines before kickoff, as the Seagulls boss apparently took issue with a comment his opposite number made during his pre-game press conference - waving his finger in Stellini's face before both men took their seats in the dugout.

De Zerbi's mood would not have been improved with just 10 minutes gone, as Son received the ball from Ivan Perisic in the left half-space and curled home a wonderful strike into the top corner beyond the reach of Jason Steele.

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The South Korean brought up 100 Premier League goals with his stunning opener - becoming the first-ever Asian player to hit that landmark - but Brighton were completely unfazed by conceding first in North London.

The Seagulls had the ball in the back of the net on the 17-minute mark as Kaoru Mitoma ghosted in behind the Spurs backline, took down a chipped ball from Alexis Mac Allister and slotted home, but the Japan international's effort was ruled out for handball after a VAR review.

Slow-motion replays appeared to show the ball striking Mitoma's upper arm above the shirt sleeve line, but the officials' decision was final - much to the relief of Eric Dier, who had initially given the ball back to Brighton.

That fortunate reprieve did little to galvanise Tottenham, who continued to be run ragged by the Seagulls and were indebted to Hugo Lloris for keeping out Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo - tapping the latter's effort onto the post - with 25 minutes gone.

Spurs' lacklustre performance was eventually punished, though, and it was a dreadful goal for the Lilywhites to concede, as an unmarked Dunk strolled towards the back post to head home a Solly March corner in the 34th minute.

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As was the case in the first half, Brighton relentlessly attacked the Spurs backline in the second 45 and thought that they had taken the lead in the 55th minute through Danny Welbeck, but another handball - this time from Mac Allister - saw the goal chalked off.

Not long after, the earlier episode between De Zerbi and Stellini was clearly on the minds of both benches, as a furious melee ended with both managers being sent off for failing to control their dugouts - the pair continued their war of words while trudging down the tunnel.

The controversy was far from over in North London, as Brighton were denied a penalty in the 72nd minute after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg appeared to stamp on Mitoma's foot - yet another officiating decision that went against the aggrieved visitors.

Just 10 minutes after somehow avoiding giving away a spot kick at the other end, Hojbjerg was the architect of Kane's 99th Premier League home goal, bursting down the right and cutting back for the England captain to fire home a deflected effort from just inside the box.

The Seagulls huffed and puffed in the dying embers, but Spurs managed to cling on for a win which keeps them three points behind Newcastle United and Manchester United in fifth place in the table.

A home clash with relegation-threatened Bournemouth is next up for Spurs on April 15, while Brighton have dropped below Aston Villa into seventh spot and face a trip to Chelsea in seven days' time.