Brighton ace Anthony Knockaert emulates Philippe Coutinho by kneeling behind wall to defend Christian Eriksen free-kick against Tottenham


ANTHONY KNOCKAERT took a leaf out of Philippe Coutinho’s book as he ducked down behind Brighton’s wall for a Christian Eriksen free kick.

If you were thinking the Frenchman, 26, was ducking out of the line of fire, you would be mistaken.

Anthony Knockaert knelt down behind Brighton's wall to stop Christian Eriksen driving a low free kick
Anthony Knockaert knelt down behind Brighton’s wall to stop Christian Eriksen driving a low free kick
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Philippe Coutinho made a similar manoeuvre with Liverpool last season
Philippe Coutinho made a similar manoeuvre with Liverpool last season
Rex Features

The Dane – who has a wand of a right foot – has a knack of being able to hit the ball exactly where he wants it, either over or under a wall.

And Brighton manager Chris Hughton drilled his players not to take any chances during the 1-1 draw with the former Ajax man’s set-pieces.

Kockaert drew the short straw as he crouched down side-on to the wall with one knee out in front and one under his body.

The defensive manoeuvre copies that of Philippe Coutinho, who did the same last season during Liverpool’s game against Spurs.

Referee Kevin Friend reminded Knockaert over the laws of the game ahead of the free kick
Referee Kevin Friend reminded Knockaert over the laws of the game ahead of the free kick
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Anthony Knockaert has been a key member of Brightons squad this season
Anthony Knockaert has been a key member of Brighton’s squad this season
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Harry Kane gave Tottenham the lead in the first half
Harry Kane gave Tottenham the lead in the first half
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Brighton were able to smother the Tottenham free-kick
Brighton were able to smother the Tottenham free-kick
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Referee Kevin Friend also had a word with the midfielder, but did not tell him he could not block the ball in a crouched-down position.

The Seagulls’ tactic may have just done the job as well, as Eriksen, 26, laid the ball off to Harry Kane, who sent a lame effort at Maty Ryan.


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Brighton secured a much-needed point against high-flying Spurs at the Amex as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Kane opened the scoring for the away side, before Pascal Gross equalised for the South Coast side from the spot.


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