Southampton vs Tottenham result: Brilliant James Ward-Prowse goal drags Spurs back into top-four fight
Southampton 2-1 Tottenham: Spurs were cruising at half-time but were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as Saints struck late
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Your support makes all the difference.Mauricio Pochettino looked on from the stands, although in truth it was more likely he watched through his fingers, as his Tottenham Hotspur side fell apart, conceding two goals in three disastrous second half minutes, to a Southampton side whose recovery will only strengthen their hopes of avoiding relegation.
Having forced a 26th minute lead through Harry Kane’s composed finish, Pochettino’s side appeared in control and on course to end the run of three league games without a win and restore momentum to their Premier League campaign.
A double substitution at half-time by Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, however, transformed proceedings and having provided little more than a backdrop to Tottenham’s impressive first half display, Saints rallied impressively, eventually turning this game on it’s head late on.
They were helped by some disastrous decision-making among the Spurs back four but there was little doubt they deserved something for their efforts.
First Yan Valery added to his goal against Manchester United last week when he capitalised on Danny Rose’s disastrous decision to allow Stuart Armstrong’s low cross to roll between his legs and finished easily at the far post for the 87th minute equaliser.
Then three minutes later, Spurs right-back Kyle Walker-Peters was caught out by Armstrong’s powerful forward run and halted the Saints substitute with a trip that could have earned a red card.
The full-back escaped with a yellow, but James Ward-Prowse inflicted further punishment with a superb curling free-kick.
The final whistle brought relief and a sense of celebration among the home supporters. For Tottenham, the positive result in midweek at Borussia Dortmund that secured a place in the Champions League quarter-finals was quickly forgotten as Pochettino, serving the first game of a two match touchline ban, was left with plenty to ponder.
It had all started so positively for Spurs. With Dele Alli having recovered from then hamstring injury that had kept him out since the victory at Fulham on 20th January, Pochettino wasted no time in restoring the midfielder to his starting line-up.
And a neat flick from Alli sent Kane clear just outside the Saints penalty area but the striker snatched at his first time shot, pulling the effort wide. Almost immediately, Kane was presented with another sight of goal but this time fired over the bar having again opted to take his shot early.
Tottenham were exerting all the early pressure with Southampton unable to establish any period of sustained possession in their own half. Kane again broke free inside the home box and while he was penalised for drifting offside, the frequency with which the striker was finding room between the Saints back three suggested a goal would not be long coming.
That feeling intensified when Spurs struck the woodwork twice inside a minute midway through the first half. First, Saints centre-back Maya Yoshida turned the ball against his own post as he attempted to cut out Kane’s low cross from the right. The home side again had cause to feel relieved when Christian Eriksen curled an excellent free-kick over the defensive wall and against the cross bar.
Southampton’s reprieve didn’t last long, however, with Spurs making the breakthrough moments later after another example of the understanding that exists between Alli and Kane.
A Tottenham break led to the ball being worked to Alli on the left of the home area where the midfielder steadied himself before chipping the ball to Kane who had peeled away at the far post. The forward had time to control the ball before placing his shot beneath keeper Angus Gunn to give Pochettino’s side a deserved lead.
Pochettino’s side were in complete control and should have put the game beyond the home side’s reach before half-time. Hasenhuttl reacted at half-time by making a double substitution, introducing Josh Sims and Shane Long to inject more energy into his side.
The plan worked with Southampton immediately pressing forward and finally looking like a side with a relegation battle to fight. Kane saw an early shot saved by Gunn, but the balance of the game shifted and it was Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris who was placed under more pressure.
Nathan Redmond fired into the side netting to serve warning of what was to come and when better opportunities came along, Soiuthampton took full advantage.
Southampton (3-5-2) Gunn; Bednarek, Yoshida, Vestergaard; Valery, Romeu (Long 46, Armstrong 72), Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Bertrand; Redmond, Austin (Sims 46).
Subs not used: McCarthy, Stephens, Targett, Slattery.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker-Peters, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose (Davies 82); Dier, Sissoko; Moura (Son 72), Eriksen, Alli (Llorente 82); Kane.
Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Lamela, Wanyama, Foyth.
Referee: Kevin Friend
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