Image Credit: Evening Standard
By Lee Clow
28 September 2019 | Premier League
Despite a Lloris howler and an Aurier second yellow card, Tottenham still managed to earn the 3 points as they held on strongly to their 2-1 lead over Southampton at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Harry Kane scored the eventual winner for Spurs immediately after conceding a howler from captain Hugo Lloris while playing with 10 men. The France goalkeeper – and World Cup winner was inexplicably dispossessed inside his own six-yard area by Danny Ings for Southampton’s equaliser.
After a poor few weeks, a win today was vital and needed for Spurs to lift the spirits of the players, manager and supporters. Despite a slow start, Spurs found themselves in front when record signing Tanguy Ndombele fired home via a deflection past the helpless Gunn. The goal was met by huge cheers from the Spurs fans who have been let down by their teams’ performances over the last few weeks.
Unfortunately for the Spurs fans, their joy was once again lowered when Serge Aurier was handed his second yellow card of the game after a poor challenge. The Ivory Coast international was first booked after lounging in on Boufal and only moments later received his second when he challenged Bertrand from behind after being caught napping by the England fullback. With only 31 minutes played, Tottenham still had over an hour to endure with 10 men.
It then went from bad to worse for Spurs as only 8 minutes later Southampton found themselves level after an unforgivable mistake from Lloris. The Tottenham skipper received the ball in his six-yard box and instead of kicking it upfield the Frenchman decided to try and dribble past the incoming Ings. This was a decision he was immediately going to regret as Ings stole the ball from his feet and simply tapped home the equaliser. Huge groans filled the stadium as the home fans once again expected another defeat to come their way.
Despite the couple of incidents that occurred, Spurs managed to get themselves back in front after a scintillating counterattack. Harry Kane finished off a sweeping move that involved the impressive Son and Eriksen, whose pass allowed the England striker to score his 10th goal of the season for club and country. This goal was met by a bigger cheer from the home fans as it showed the fight and passion the team had despite the incidents beforehand.
Spurs went into the break with a vital lead, knowing they would have to do everything they could in the second half to keep it.
As soon as the referee blew his whistle for the second half, Southampton immediately came out to attack Spurs who were one man short. Despite their control over the home side, the Saints struggled in the final third and lacked any creativity to break down the Tottenham defence which was being martialled excellently by centre back paring Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
Having been at fault for the Saint’s equaliser, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris somewhat redeemed himself after making two world class saves to keep the score at 2-1. The first save came when he tipped over James Ward-Prowse’s free kick which was heading for the top corner of the goal. The second came from a corner when Yoshida headed the ball goal bound only to be denied by Lloris’ strong left hand. The French man went from zero to hero as he and the Tottenham defence denied Southampton any further chances to equalise.
As the full-time whistle blew the Tottenham Hotspur stadium erupted in cheers as they celebrated a vital 3 points that was needed after back-to-back defeats. The result for Spurs lifts them up to 4th while Southampton remain in 14th.
After the game Spurs manager, Mauricio Pochettino, had this to say on the game. "There were a few situations that could be a tough impact in a negative way today. We showed an amazing spirit and of course we had help from our fans, who were amazing. I am happy, so happy because of the players, because of the fans and the staff because they deserve to be in a different situation to the one, we've been living in in the past few weeks for sure."
Southampton boss, Ralph Hasenhuttl said: "We cannot be happy because the chance to take something here will not be that big again," he said…The momentum was on our side. To be that clinical, this is a step of development we have to take…We are not a side that is cool enough to finish such a game and this is something we have to work on…It is very disappointing, to come back in the game and make the equaliser, we had to come back into the break at 1-1 and then you can adapt your shape.”
What’s next?
Tottenham return to their new home on Tuesday for an exciting Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich before taking on Brighton next Saturday. For Southampton they return home as they host another tough encounter against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
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