A Ralph Hasenhuttl masterclass saw off a less than inspiring Tottenham side as the Saints increased their streak to four games unbeaten in the Premier League.
18 minutes was all it took for Danny Ings to hit the back of the net to secure his 13th league goal of the season. After a scrappy opening quarter of an hour, it was Southampton who took charge with a lovely bit of play. Jack Stephens, who characteristically enjoys bombing forward, found himself with the ball at his feet and the Englishman then picked out a lofted ball to Ings, who still had a lot to do. The bouncing ball was approached by Toby Alderweireld but the confident Saint simply lifted the ball over the Belgian and hit a powerful half-volley with his left foot into the bottom right-hand corner, stumping Paulo Gazzaniga.
Spurs were hit with a double injury blow during the match at St. Marys’. Tanguy N’Dombele was replaced by Lo Celso in the 25th minute with a groin injury, while Harry Kane had to be taken off on the 73rd minute due to a hamstring strain to be replaced by Erik Lamela. His injury will keep him out of the side for a couple of weeks, which leaves the striker position open for Spurs and could leave Mourinho with a headache, especially after the injury came after Kane’s effort, which hit the back of the net, was ruled out for offside.
It was 25 minutes into the second half before Tottenham registered their first shot on the Saints goal for the half and the ball fell pathetically into Alex McCarthy’s arms. Apart from a five-minute spell of Spurs pressure, there was no real spark in the London side and Southampton were unlucky not to win the game by a larger margin.
Salty Mourinho
It’s no secret that Spurs manager Jose Mourinho is a bad loser and this was exemplified this weekend with a ridiculous booking in the second half. Mourinho was seen to go over to the Southampton bench and murmur something in the ear of the Saints assistant coach, to which he was rightfully booked.
In the post-match interview, he apologised for saying “something rude to an idiot.” This is completely contradictory when the Saints completely outplayed Spurs all game and highlights that he is a narcissistic personality who is not doing any favours for Spurs at this point in time.
Hasenhuttl heroics
Southampton are now unbeaten in their last four league games, which is a complete turn around considering their dire start to the season. Their 9-0 defeat at home to Leicester seemed to be the catalyst, as defensively Southampton have been as solid as a rock.
In the last three games (Spurs, Crystal Palace and Chelsea), Southampton have only conceded one goal, and that was from a set play expertly finished by James Tomkins. Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens have been vital in this upsurge of form, dominating at the back, with help from both full-backs. Every player is putting in a shift and wants to work for the team, which seems to be the difference as personnel has been unchanged.
Shaky away form continues
Tottenham have been unable to keep a clean sheet away from home in their last 15 league appearances. For a side that made the Champions League final last year, this is a real worry. Spurs currently sit in sixth position, six points behind Chelsea and only five points ahead of Southampton. If Spurs want to realistically challenge for the top four and secure a place in next year’s Champions League, everything is going to have to improve, not just their away form. If there is a man to rejuvenate a defence, it is Mourinho. However, time will tell if he is the right man for the job.
Creating chances is an issue for Spurs as they only looked dangerous from set-pieces, taken by Christian Eriksen. Whether that has been the sole focus of Mourinho, it is unknown. However, what is clear is that he will need to employ new tactics if he is to progress within Spurs and take them higher up in the league standings.
Saints strikeforce continues to impress
Danny Ings has been getting the headlines for Southampton, and rightly so. With 13 goals for the season in a struggling Southampton side, the man can only be described as red hot. However, behind the scenes, a lot of work has been going on. Shane Long, Michael Obafemi, Che Adams and even Nathan Redmond at times have partnered Ings up top and the combination of any of these four players plus Ings has been deadly.
Both strikers will work hard and cause the defence problems but ultimately it is Ings who will get himself into the right areas and his finishing will do the rest. The Saints frontman has spent the last three years trying to get himself fit, and if he continues his form, surely Southgate will have no option but to pick him for the England squad.
