LONDON — Christian Eriksen’s 88th minute goal finally broke Brighton and Hove Albion’s brave resistance to give Tottenham Hotspur a precious 1-0 victory in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League Tuesday.

Until the Danish playmaker’s low shot from just outside the penalty area whizzed across the lush turf and past Mat Ryan, it seemed Brighton had withstood a second-half siege and would escape with a priceless point in their relegation battle.

Chris Hughton’s side erected a green wall in front of Tottenham for more or less the entire game, leaving the home fans groaning in frustration — none more so than when Toby Alderweireld’s shot with 20 minutes remaining hit the inside of the post and rolled across the face of goal.

In his desperation, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino even sent on outcast Dutch striker Vincent Janssen in the 80th minute for his first action of the season.

But in the end it was Eriksen who punctured Brighton’s armor from Tottenham’s 29th goal attempt — 21 of which were from outside the penalty area.

It secured a fourth win from four matches in all competitions for Tottenham inside its magnificent new stadium and more importantly it lifted them three points above fourth-placed Chelsea with three games to go and four ahead of Arsenal which has played one game less. Tottenham is six clear of Manchester United.

“I had a few warm-up shots before the goal. I hit it well and saw it fly in,” Eriksen told Sky Sports.

“It is a very, very good feeling, a tough game, a lot of chances, they sat deep, it is difficult to play against 10 or 11 in the box.

“We saw the other results so we knew what was at stake. To stay in our place we had to win, there was no other option.”

Brighton has now gone six games without a goal, losing five of those games, and will enter its last three games only three points above third-from-bottom Cardiff City.

Ominously it also has Arsenal and Manchester City still to play, after hosting Newcastle United this weekend.

Despite its loss at Manchester City Saturday, results fell kindly for Tottenham with surprise weekend defeats for Arsenal and Manchester United and a draw for Chelsea Monday.

It knew a win would go a long way to securing a top-four finish, but Brighton, scrapping for their top-flight lives, was never going to make things easy for the hosts.

Southampton striker Shane Long struck the fastest goal in Premier League history, inside seven seconds, but his team conceded a last-minute equalizer as they drew 1-1 at Watford Tuesday.

The draw leaves the Saints still with work to do to guarantee their Premier League survival. Southampton are on 37 points, six ahead of 18th-placed Cardiff City, who occupy the final relegation slot, with three games remaining.

It should be enough for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, especially after 17th-placed Brighton lost 1-0 at Tottenham Tuesday, to fall three points behind Southampton.

But the reaction of the Saints players, who fell to the floor at the final whistle, reflected the bitter blow of conceding an Andre Gray goal in the 90th minute. Irish striker Long wrote his name in the record books when he charged down a Craig Cathcart clearance before running through on goal and lobbing the ball calmly over goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Long snatched the record from former Tottenham defender Ledley King, who scored after 9.9 seconds against Bradford in 2000. Watford moved above Everton into seventh place to keep up its hopes of qualifying for the Europa League. The Hornets are also in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Southampton’s remaining fixtures are at home to Bournemouth, away to West Ham United and at home to already-relegated Huddersfield. — Reuters