Southampton 2-5 Spurs: A tactical and statistical review of Saints’ loss
By Marc Walker
High line undone by Kane and Son
The influence of Harry Kane and Son Hueng-Min was limited in the first-half by good play from Saints. However, a clever tweak from Jose Mourinho saw the hosts’ high defensive line brutally exposed.
Son would end the game with four goals that were all assisted by Kane, and the Spurs striker even added a fifth goal for himself for good measure.
Interestingly, all four of Kane’s assists came from positions on the pitch where he is not usually found – the first from wide on the left, the second after dropping deep from the Saints defence, the third from a central-midfield position and the fourth from wide on the right.
His movement pushed and pulled the Saints defenders all over the place and exquisite passes set up Son driving in from the left who had the simple task of finishing past an exposed Alex McCarthy on each occasion.
This was clearly a clever, match-winning change from Jose Mourinho but it was made easier by Ralph Hasenhuttl not dropping his defence deeper when the alarm bells were ringing. A tight formation is vital to the way Saints press but must be used sensibly too.