Albion have been handed extra motivation for their Christmas home date as they prepare to face Tottenham tomorrow (7.30pm).

The ninth-placed Seagulls will improve a league placing regarded as disappointing by Roberto De Zerbi if they beat Spurs at the Amex.

De Zerbi is frustrated to have seen home points slip away and would love to make up for that.

Albion know they would move above Newcastle with a win after the Geordies were sunk on Boxing Day by a hat-trick from their former striker – and ex-Albion loanee - Chris Wood in a 3-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-2 last night having trailed 2-0 and therefore remain just of reach.

West Ham, who have moved above the Seagulls, will get under way at Arsenal tomorrow just as the first half is ending at the Amex.

De Zerbi said: “I am sorry because we could have some more points in the table, six I think.

“For that I am disappointed, especially at home. We need to win two or three games in a row to make up for what we have lost.”

De Zerbi, whose home debut as boss was a 1-0 defeat by Tottenham, will speak to the media this afternoon.

It appears he will go into the game without Kaoru Mitoma, who has told fans of his frustration at being ruled out through injury.

The Japan winger suffered an ankle problem in the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.