Jason Steele believes fans saw another side of Albion when they beat Tottenham.

And it is one which can help them adapt to different circumstances and challenges.

The Seagulls goalkeeper is regarded to have an edge over colleague Bart Verbruggen in terms of build-up play from the back.

That often means playing out short but does not need to.

We have seen that on occasion in the past.

But there was a lot more long stuff and quick release in the 4-2 success over Spurs.

Steele was happy it worked as the points were secured.

He said: “I think that is part of learning as a group.

“They had the wind behind their back and it would have been naive to try and play out from the back.

“We are not bothered about stats and all that carry on. We want to win football matches.

“They are a top, top team and sometimes you have got to do what you have got to do.

“They had the wind behind them. We had to dig in, suffer and we did that.”

Spurs’ high line also invited players such as Steele and Lewis Dunk to play some long passes.

The keeper said: “Exactly, that is what we had spoken about.

“You have probably never seen me kick that many balls long but it worked.

“We won the game. It is about winning football matches.

“We have got targets for where we want to get to and it is about winning games."

Albion reached the halfway point of the season on a very respectable 30 points having scored 38 goals and conceded 33.

Of course Steele was not pleased to see two more go past him on Thursday but there did not seem to be any real disappointment around the Albion camp that they had not kept that elusive clean sheet.

The time to be disappointed about that is when it has cost you points.

Steele said: “We can be proud of the last 20 minutes at the same time.

“We have conceded goals, yes, no problem, it happens, it’s football.

“But there were times were we just throwing ourselves to keep the ball out of the net, and that’s what we can be proud of, I think – the desire to win the game.

“And do you know what? That’s all that matters.

“You can throw stats around all you want but, in the end, we won the game, and we gave everything to win that game.

“We’ve been playing so much football, we ‘ve got such a young team, we’re missing some players – as everybody is, so no excuses – but you saw 20 minutes at the end where we gave everything for each other.

“And I think that’s what we can be most proud of.

"At 4-0, me being in goal, it felt like we were in control of the game.

“We started being able to build up a little easier, which is natural at 4-0, and then they scored.

“But listen, I’m so proud of those boys for giving everything."

Albion’s win became even more precious when sides just below them continued to pick up points.

In-form Wolves are hot on their heels and Chelsea are only two points behind after a couple of narrow wins while Bournemouth have been on a roll.

Asked whether Albion were concerned when Tottenham scored twice late on and then piled men forward, Steele said: “Of course we were!

“They had nothing to lose in the last 10-15 minutes so they are going to have that moment.

“The crowd got behind us, they cheered every clearance. It was special.”