Matt O’Riley got himself on the scoresheet as Brighton thumped Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham 4-1 on Sunday.
O’Riley slotted home a penalty – Brighton’s third of the afternoon – as they came from behind to dismantle Spurs in emphatic fashion.
LATEST: Tottenham 1-3 Brighton
⚽️ GOAL: Matt O’Riley (pen)
🤝 ASSIST: n/aSigh…pic.twitter.com/7w8J1desav
— Football Confidential 🌐 (@footballconfid1) May 25, 2025
The Denmark international was a standout under Postecoglou at Celtic, flourishing in a system that suited his strengths. But when the Australian left for North London in the summer of 2023, and Brendan Rodgers returned to Parkhead, O’Riley made comments that hinted at a shift in mood at Lennoxtown.
He said that there was a freshness around the place and that the new manager wouldn’t mind sitting with the players at lunch. While subtle, the remark was widely read as a veiled dig at Postecoglou’s more distant style of leadership.
Postecoglou is known for keeping a clear boundary between staff and players, preferring to let his coaching do the talking on the pitch. Rodgers, on the other hand, has built a reputation for stronger personal relationships within the squad.
The goal against Spurs may not have carried extra meaning publicly for O’Riley, but it won’t go unnoticed by those who followed his rise under both managers.
It came on the same day that Kieran Tierney netted in his last game for Arsenal.
