Southampton 1 Tottenham 1: Harry Kane's 99th Premier League goal not enough for flu-affected Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur were laid low by a flu virus and then caught a cold as they were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Southampton despite Harry Kane moving to within one goal of his Premier League century.
It was a frustrating result that means Spurs could fall five points behind fourth-placed Liverpool if Jurgen Klopp’s side win away to Swansea City on Monday evening, putting them in very real danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.
The score-line does not, truly, help Southampton either as they remain in the bottom three and a point behind 17th place Stoke City. But they showed enough fight – and went agonisingly close to winning – to probably help manager Mauricio Pellegrino survive. At least a little longer.
Afterwards Spurs midfielder Eric Dier claimed the race for the top four will “go down to the wire” but with his side’s next three league opponents being Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal these were points they could not afford to drop. And neither were they expected to.
The Spurs squad were in Barcelona for warm weather training last week with captain Hugo Lloris and play-maker Christian Eriksen ruled out of this fixture because they were suffering from flu. Other players were affected and although manager Mauricio Pochettino later refused to say who, and stated it had not affected the performance, they were collectively below-par in a rain-sodden “battle” of an encounter.
Kane, though, had the chance late on to claim his 100th league goal, and the headlines once again, but dragged his low shot across goal and wide from a tight angle. A defeat would have been extremely tough on Southampton who had chances of their own and moments before Kane’s effort there was an even clearer opportunity for 17-year-old substitute Michael Obafemi, who had come on to make his debut, but who miscued badly in front of goal after meeting a Dusan Tadic cross.
That again highlighted Southampton’s weakness up front and Pellegrino is desperately hoping that reinforcements will soon arrive, using the money brought in by the £75million sale of Virgil Van Dijk, and moves are being made for the £50million pair of Monaco’s Guido Carrillo and Spartak Moscow Quincy Promes.
But the club’s hierarchy will also know that they have lost nine points now from leading positions at home - and that is more than any other other Premier League team. Damningly it is 11 league games without a win.
Southampton were gifted the lead here, making a slick start which was capped when captain Ryan Bertrand overlapped down the left to collect Tadic’s measured pass and crossed low into the penalty area. The ball had already ricocheted around the Spurs box and this time Davinson Sanchez attempted to take more decisive action by intercepting – only to slide in, toe-poking the ball goal-wards with it rebounding off the near post and squirting over the line to beat the stranded, stand-in goalkeeper, Michel Vorm.
It provoked a furious response. Dier drove a low shot against the outside of the post, after the ball broke to him from a corner with Bertrand denying Dele Alli as he attempted to turn, and then from another Ben Davies corner Kane simply brushed aside his marker, Jack Stephens, rose above Manolo Gabbiadini, and thumped a header emphatically into the net. The lead has lasted just 197 seconds.
It remained remarkably open. Both teams felt they had to win, for their contrasting reasons, and Spurs almost claimed the lead when Davies drove the ball powerfully across the area and Moussa Sissoko side-footed a volley from inside the six-yard area that just flew wide.
Southampton also went close when Stephens met a superb, in-swinging free-kick by James Ward-Prowse – and few English players deliver a more threatening set-piece - but the defender could not keep his header down with the ball skimming narrowly over the bar.
More chances came although eventually the stickiness of the pitch, the bone-jarring effort, slowed the game down while Spurs sorely lacked the clever guile of Eriksen to unpick their opponents. Nevertheless Alli and Kane went close and then Sissoko fought for possession, squaring to substitute Erik Lamela who poked a close-range shot that seemed destined to find the net but for Stephens’ lunge to deflect it wide.
Could Southampton capitalise? The crowd roared them on – there were certainly no signs of dissent towards Pellegrino – and Sanchez did well to block a shot from Sofiane Boufal as he ran onto the area before another replacement, Obafemi, signed from Leyton Orient’s academy, had his chance. But they could not find the breakthrough as the ball skimmed off his boot.
And neither, despite five minutes of added time, could Spurs who had come into this match having collected 13 points from a possible 15 including a 5-2 demolition of Southampton on Boxing Day. But they were out-of-sorts.
Pellegrino post-match
"I think the team responded really well, we cannot transform this performance in goals and goals is more points but obviously this is the attitude we need to show in the next game. Every single game for us is massive.
"We knew even the second half when they play with the diamond, they were always dangerous but I think we had the space in wide areas and in this moment we have had a couple of chances especially on the right. They are an amazing team with top players and they don't need too many action to create problems."
Pochettino says the result was fair
"It was an even game, a difficult game, the pitch wasn't in the best condition which didn't help but for both teams to play in a good way. Tough game, lots of battles, fighting.
"I don't believe because we struggle a little bit to play. In possession we missed a link to play together, we made a lot of mistakes in possession and allowed them to play a little bit more. I think to win the game, we should do better and play better and our performance wasn't great.
"I think we tried to receive in our offensive phase and link better Kane and Son with Dele in behind. It allowed us to be more aggressive in transition and use more our fullbacks going forward. I think we create but the result was fair.
"The top four is not easy. We still have the possibility to fight. The fight to survive every ball you can feel they are aggressive, our performance wasn't great, if it was at the level we are normally used to do, our performance wasn't the best.
"That is a rumour, I don't want to speak about rumour. I am happy with the players I've got. You know well it's very difficult this transfer window to add a player".
Man of the Match
James Ward-Prowse wins Sky Sports' prize and I'd tend to agree with that. Jan Vertonghen was excellent for Spurs too. Dele Alli just doesn't look himself at the moment, as though he's getting frustrated with himself for his own failings and then rushing his play to make up for it. Second season syndrome, except this is third season syndrome. Without alliteration it's not as dramatic sounding.
The stats that matter
The most important is the score, obviously, but Spurs will look at this and think they should have done much better.
FULL TIME
A fair result in a really scrappy game.
90 mins +4
End to end now. Southampton attack, run out of ideas, Spurs attack and run out of ideas.
90 mins +3
Wanyama tries to be a hero and shoots from 25 yards. It's absolutely dreadful. An X-Factor Christmas number one of a shot.
90 mins +2
Spurs are trying to stay patient as they work the defence. Davies tries a cross from wide left but hits the defending Ward-Prowse. Southampton are in their deep defensive shape, waiting to absorb these attacks and try to break.
90 mins
Now Spurs pile on the pressure. Alli goes down in the area off the ball but is up again after an accidental tangle with Stephens. Trippier swings a corner to the back post, it's headed into the six yard box and cleared. Spurs keep the ball, work it quickly in tight areas all the way to Kane on the left! This is it! KANE SHOOTS... wide of the far post on his left foot. So close!
89 mins
Southampton keep finding space down the Spurs left! Tadic is in again and he cuts back to Boufal... who should score! But he takes a touch before shooting and is blocked. What a waste!
87 mins
Alli seems frustrated. He can't quite reach the ball after his first touch and he knocks Romeu to the floor while trying to get it, Southampton attack. Tadic is played in and controls beautifully on the half turn. He fires a cross into the area and the young lad! THE YOUNG LAD! Has shanked his shot wide. So close to a dream debut for Obafemi.
84 mins
The game is really scrappy. Nobody can make a forward pass without it cannoning back off a body in the way.
Spurs attack and manage to get in behind the Southampton defence. Is this it? Kane finds Sissoko, whose pass is blocked, he tries again, and Lamela reacts at the near post... but puts it wide.
Dembele is replaced by Wanyama, guaranteeing at least one more yellow card worthy challenge in Spurs' midfield.
82 mins
Michael Obafemi comes on for Gabbiadini. He's a 17 year old youth academy graduate. He's going to score, isn't he?
81 mins
Waaaaaaaaaaaay. Alli is played in behind the Southampton defence and he must be offside. He must be! And he is. Alli shoots anyway but puts the ball wide of the goal from about three yards, prompting cheers of approval from the home fans.
80 mins
Lemina comes off for Steven Davis.
77 mins
And here it comes! The ironic cheer as Mousa Dembele is booked. Southampton have a free-kick wide left, Ward-Prowse lines up the set piece and could actually bend this in to either corner if he fancied it.
He goes for the cross and it's headed away. This game is getting so frustrating to watch now. It's foul after foul after foul as both teams try to stop the other from playing. A very physical match.
75 mins
Dier goes on a 50 yard run across the pitch with the ball and finds Alli, who hits a lame cross to the Southampton defence. Spurs look good everywhere except the final third at the moment, they're really missing Christian Eriksen.
73 mins
Aurier has sat down and might have an injury problem. Trippier comes on for him. That might give Spurs a burst of energy they need on the right for the final 20 minutes.
71 mins
Spurs attack, find Davies on the left and his cross causes Southampton players to panic in attempts to clear. Kane shifts the ball onto his left foot to shoot but wins only a corner, and McCarthy catches that corner.
Suddenly the ball drops for Dembele on the edge of the box! He shoots, mis-hits and Alli has it in the box. Can he score? No! He's closed down and spins, tries to find Kane... but the chance is gone.
Lamela comes on for Son.
68 mins
Gabbiadini tries a shot from outside the Spurs box but puts it too close to Vorm again. Erik Lamela is getting ready to come on for Spurs.
66 mins
Alli comes to life about 30 yards out, taking the ball on the half turn, striding forward and then firing a shot across goal from near the D. Just wide.
Hojberg comes off for Boufal.
63 mins
The referee has to tell off Dier and Tadic for hustling and bustling in the penalty area from a corner. Davies swings it out from the left and Kane tries a volley on his left foot! He kicks the air and Southampton break... but then they lose the ball. Alli carries it into the final third and then he is tackled. And then Gabbiadini is sent through on goal and is offside! Soccer.
61 mins
60 mins
Dembele carries the ball and has runners left and right but doesn't quite have the pace to get away from his marker and loses possession.
Davies links with Alli to get the ball in the box but the cross is cut out. Romeu is then booked for a sliding challenge on Alli.
57 mins
Southampton are starting to open up the pitch with their passing and Spurs want to counter-attack quickly but keep giving the ball away. Sissoko is booked for a foul on Bertrand, arriving late to contest a 50/50.
55 mins
I'm looking forward to the huge ironic cheer when Dembele is inevitably booked here. Lemina takes a sore one on the left wing and Sissoko puts the ball out straight away for him. It looks like he'll survive, which is good for everyone involved. Pellegrino talks to Stephens and then Hoedt separately how to adapt to Spurs' new shape.
53 mins
Gabbiadini goes down under a challenge from Vertonghen but doesn't complain, Southampton keep up the pressure until Spurs can play their way out from the back.
Romeu is fouled by Dembele. It's a clear yellow card... I don't understand why he's not been booked yet. The Scott Brown of the Premier League.
50 mins
Stephens is booked for a shirt pull on Kane, which is probably the right call. Ward-Prowse takes an early shot at goal when he might be away... Vorm saves. It's pretty end to end so far. Son is playing more through the middle in this half, quite close to Kane.
48 mins
Spurs attack through the middle and straight away Son is nearly sent clean in on goal. The ball is moved back towards the goalkeeper and he isn't steady on his feet, having to get rid of the ball as soon as he can. Vertonghen then has to use pace and strength to make sure Southampton don't get in behind at the other end. Great defending.
KICK-OFF 2
Spurs start the second half.
Some half time stats
HALF TIME
A fair result so far but Spurs still look like the better side here. Southampton have had their chances, Spurs seem capable of upping their level if they want to.
45 mins
Kane takes down a cross from the left and has a half chance to shoot inside the area... but a defender's foot catches his and takes the ball.
42 mins
Southampton have men over now! They're playing really well here and work a chance for Lemina, who places his shot just slightly too close to the goalkeeper.
Southampton's long passes from right to left look like they're causing Spurs a lot of bother. Aurier and Sanchez happen to be defending that side.
23 mins
Tadic floats a chip to the back post when the shot is on and Spurs' giant centre-backs head it away for another corner. Ward-Prowse whips it in but Vorm punches away.
22 mins
21 mins
Almost immediately after kick-off Alli bursts into the box and it looks like Kane is open for a tap in... but Alli is tackled for another corner. Southampton defend this one much better.
Ward-Prowse delivers from the right but Vertonghen reacts best to the danger and puts it behind. The referee has to tell off Sanchez, Hoedt and Vorm as they shove each other.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!
Who else but Harry Kane? It's his 99th Premier League goal.
Southampton haven't looked great at set pieces and Kane uses his strength to hold off and then jump higher than Southampton's defence from the corner.
18 mins
Dier hits the post! Almost an instant reply from Spurs as a corner is headed down by Vertonghen and then drilled at goal by Dier. Spurs win another corner.
GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!
An own goal from Davinson Sanchez!
Just as I'm typing that he's not quite on his game, he slides in to deal with a cross at the six yard box and ends up deflecting it into his own net. He's really unlucky but Southampton deserve their lead.
15 mins
Sanchez isn't quite on his game yet. He's made a couple of mistakes off and on the ball and has just handed possession straight to Southampton here. They're on the attack.
13 mins
12 mins
That should be 1-0. Lemina plays Kane onside, the centre-backs don't realise and Alli has the entire box to run into. The ball is crossed in and he can't get enough on his header. Corner.
11 mins
Dier tries a long ball into the box for Alli, who very nearly takes it down on his knee with his back to goal. His touch is a little off and Southampton can take the ball forward. Ward-Prowse is played in down the right with a great pass over the top of a defender, and his delivery is brilliant! But nobody reads it. Tadic follows up on the other flank and drills a low ball into the six yard box... but Gabbiadini can't reach it.
9 mins
Southampton are attacking but Spurs keep breaking up play before anything too dangerous happens. Ward-Prowse tries a wonderstrike from 25 yards but slices his effort miles wide.
Spurs work their way forward, Alli sprints to space at the back post and Aurier swings a cross in, but doesn't get enough lift and it's put behind for a corner.
6 mins
Another chance for Southampton. Hojberg wins the ball from Son, hits a long pass out left and Tadic is there. He slides a pass across the area... and Gabbiadini doesn't seem to commit to the shot, and rather than sliding in, swings a boot at thin air.
3 mins
Great run by Sissoko as he sprints from deep into the box and Aurier finds him with a smart pass round the corner of the full-back. Southampton win the ball back.
1 mins
The Saints get the ball forward quickly, Gabbiadini turns Sanchez and shoots from 20 yards but Vorm saves. Attacking start!
KICK-OFF
Southampton get the game started!
Here come the players
They're out on the pitch in the rain. It's cold. It's wet. AND IT'S LIVE!
Pochettino on Southampton
"They stay at home in London and try to recover. I think yes, 100 per cent they feel well, maybe some players have some problems the last few days but no excuse we are going to try to play our best, to play well and win because the victory is important. It will be tough for both teams.
"It's always special after five years it was today or yesterday we made our debut here against Everton, it will always be in my heart a special place for me and my family."
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It is not a nice day
The good thing is that since this isn't the 90s, the pitch will still be entirely playable and probably a bit quicker than normal. That will suit Spurs' passing game and might also mean that defenders are granted super power slide tackles and can glide along the floor for miles to win the ball back.
No Lloris or Eriksen
Both Huge and Christian, as they like to be called, are ill and miss out today. A big chance for the reserves to impress! If you can call them reserves, that is.
Hello!
Good afternoon and welcome to our liveblog for Southampton vs Spurs, where Mauricio Pochettino pays a visit to the stadium where first he made his name known in the Premier League.
The Saints are doing absolutely fine at the moment which makes sense but isn't great news for their current manager, Mauricio Pellegrino, since Southampton seem to believe that even though they keep selling their best players, they should be progressing on the pitch.
Spurs are in their traditional mid-season run of good form and Harry Kane is banging in goals all over the place. With Marco Silva suddenly available, it's not insane to suggest that Pellegrino might actually need his team to give an impressive performance - if not get a result - for him to keep his job. The Premier League is getting silly.
Enough speculation. Who's actually playing today?
Southampton
Team news is in!
Here's how #SaintsFC line-up to take on #THFC at St Mary's in the #PL: pic.twitter.com/CezUnwCJ6p— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 21, 2018
Spurs
#THFC: Vorm, Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Sissoko, Dele, Son, Kane (C). #COYSpic.twitter.com/FAJwpW5fp4
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 21, 2018
