In the battle of the high-lines, Albion got off to the worst possible start.
Brennan Johnson – who nearly scored minutes in the game when Spurs beat the offside trap – did eventually open the scoring after 23 minutes.
The in-form wide man finished confidently after Dominic Solanke’s defensive splitting pass.
Albion had chances to equalise – with Danny Welbeck missing a golden chance from Kaoru Mitoma’s superb cross.
Spurs made the hosts pay with James Maddison doubling the hosts lead with a strike that Bart Verbruggen should have saved.
Brighton were a different side in the second half and got the early goal they needed when Yankuba Minteh capitalised on a defensive mistake by Destiny Udogie.
Georginio Rutter then grabbed his second goal in successive games with a classy finish after he was given the ball by the irresistible Mitoma.
A resurgent Albion weren’t done there, as Rutter turned provider with some tenacious play on the right to cross for Welbeck. The veteran striker was in the perfect spot to head home and send the home fans delirious.
The hosts held on to secure their first league win since August. It was also the first time they've won a game from two goals down since May 2021 when they beat Manchester City.
Here’s how we rated the Brighton players:
1. Brighton 3-2 Tottenham
Brighton and Hove Albion staged an astonishing second-half comeback to beat Tottenham Hotspur Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
2. Bart Verbruggen - 6
Beaten by Johnson for the opener. Should have done better with Maddison’s goal. Booked for time-wasting. Vital save from Udogie at 3-2. Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
3. Ferdi Kadioglu - 6
Deployed in natural, left-back position. Looking to improve on performance at Chelsea as he settles in a new team. Lovely pass to Minteh but he couldn’t control it, in front of goal. Nice cross headed wide by Welbeck. I felt he was unlucky to be hooked at half-time, unless it was an injury. Photo: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
4. Lewis Dunk - 6
A shaky first-half and it continued to seem like he doesn’t look as comfortable without Jan Paul van Hecke alongside him. Important block to deny Kulusevski. The captain was solid in the second-half. Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images