Spurs 2-1 Southampton: Lloris and lack of conviction thwart Saints in North London

A strong second-half showing from Southampton saw them go close to taking a point against Spurs, but a lack of conviction and superb saves from Hugo Lloris saw the hosts claim a 2-1 win.

Spurs went ahead through Tanguy N’Dombele, but Danny Ings took advantage of a howler from Lloris to level the scores.

However, a quick counter just before half-time saw Harry Kane find the net in brutal fashion and claim what proved to be the winning goal.

Ralph Hasenhuttl rewarded both Danny Ings and Maya Yoshida for impressive showings against Portsmouth in midweek with a start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, whilst Che Adams and Jannik Vestergaard dropped out.

Kevin Danso was also replaced by Ryan Bertrand, but Saints were dealt a blow in the warm-up when Cedric was injured; Jannik Vestergaard returning to the starting line-up before kick-off.

Despite the disrupted preparation for the game, Saints started the contest in really bright fashion.

Promising attacks had Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal looking threatening on the counter, but it was Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who would have the first big chance of the afternoon.

Redmond cut the ball across the area to the onrushing Saints captain and his side-footed effort forced a flying save from Hugo Lloris to push around the post.

Other swift moves forward were met by good blocks or ended with poor passes, and Spurs took advantage by gaining the lead after 23 minutes.

Tanguy N’Dombele found the net with a strong left-footed strike, but the fact that ball hit the centre of the goal will have been disappointing for Angus Gunn.

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However, two big moments gave Saints a real foothold back in the game before half-time.

First, Serge Aurier was sent-off for two bookable offences – the second for hauling down Boufal on the left – and they were then gifted a leveller by Hugo Lloris.

The French international tried a suicidal turn on the ball near his own goal and allowed Danny Ings to steal in and bundle over the line. It was no less than Saints deserved, and also Ings’ third goal in a week.

With Harry Kane facing you in attack though, you can never leave yourself exposed at the back; and that’s exactly what Saints did just four minutes later.

The home attacking trio of Kane, Son and Eriksen combined well and set up the former for a typically brutal finish to put his side back in front again.

It was slack from Saints to allow Spurs back ahead that easily, but their start to the second-half almost got them back level again.

James Ward-Prowse saw a great free-kick effort tipped over the bar by Lloris and the Spurs captain then went further to making amends for his earlier mistake by brilliantly clawing away Maya Yoshida’s header which looked destined for the back of the net.

Saints would rue the chances that went begging though as a lack of conviction in their attacking play against 10-men saw them unable to claim anything.

Chances to take points already come at a premium in the Premier League, and with a run of upcoming fixtures that looks very tough for Saints, this could be a real chance missed facing a team who were a man light for an hour.

Saints team

Angus Gunn, Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida, Jannik Vestergaard (Stuart Armstrong 79), James Ward-Prowse, Ryan Bertrand, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, Sofiane Boufal (Shane Long 88), Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings (Michael Obafemi 83)

Subs not used: Harry Lewis, Yan Valery, Kevin Danso