Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Southampton: 5 Hits and Flops | Premier League 2019/20

When the referee blew the full-time whistle at the end of ninety minutes on Saturday, Mauricio Pochettino was a relieved man. Tottenham Hotspur’s recent downturn in fortunes had caused an alarming slide down the Premier League table.

Spurs were also eliminated from the Carabao Cup in midweek and the win over Southampton provided much-needed respite to the Argentinean manager.

After ending as the runners up in last season’s UEFA Champions League, Tottenham were expected to build on their momentum and mount a serious title challenge this term. The ingredients were at Pochettino’s disposal and perhaps the time was ripe for the man too.

However, Spurs have shown alarming inconsistencies on the pitch this season. As such, Pochettino had headed into the game eyeing all 3 points and his team had even given him the perfect start.

Tanguy Ndombele’s goal meant that Tottenham had the stage ready to silence their critics. However, Serge Aurier’s red card jeopardized all plans. Huge Lloris’s antics caused further misery as the Saints equalized through Danny Ings. Thankfully though, Harry Kane was on song to lead his team out of trouble, scoring the final goal of the game and helping Spurs return to winning ways.

Tottenham managed a scrappy win against Southampton and here are the 5 hits and flops from the game.

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#5 Hit: Maya Yoshida

Yoshida was immense for Southampton

The Japanese centre back had a stellar day at the office and was easily the pick of the players in the Saints side. Maya Yoshida gave a fine account of himself and was brilliant at the heart of the visitors' defense. He attempted 58 passes with a success rate of 88% and was crucial in Southampton’s build-up play.

Yoshida’s presence and aerial prowess ensured that Tottenham struggled to dominate in the final third. The Japanese won 8 aerial duels, the highest in the game and helped Southampton stay in the game till the very end.

Yoshida could have even scored a goal himself but his header in the second half was saved well by Lloris. Yoshida was certainly the Saints’ best player on the pitch.

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#4 Flop: Serge Aurier

Aurier was sent off

The Ivorian struggled to make it to the first team at the start of the season but found a window of opportunity in the middle of this month. Serge Aurier started in both the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace and the 1-2 defeat at the hands of Leicester City, impressing from the right-back position. He was selected for the game against Southampton as well but ended up enduring a night to forget.

Aurier’s troubles started when he picked up his first booking in the 27th minute after a needless challenge. Four minutes later, the Ivorian was caught backtracking from a Southampton move and in a moment of madness, he committed another unforced error and picked up his second yellow of the game.

Tottenham had just secured their grip on the game when Aurier’s madness crippled Pochettino’s team. Thankfully though, Spurs still managed to win the game.

#3 Hit: Tanguy Ndombele

Ndombele was excellent against Southampton

The Frenchman was outstanding in the middle of the park and it was his drive and tenacity in midfield that helped Tottenham stay ahead of Southampton. Tanguy Ndombele is increasingly looking like the star player Tottenham paid big money for and his varied skills and qualities have provided an added dimension to this Spurs team.

From the start of the game, Ndombele was on fire. He closed down the opposition with intent and worked in close proximity with his forward players. Some of his passes and movements were extraordinary and it ultimately proved to be too much for the visitors.

Taking on a ball from Son Heung-Min, the Frenchman unleashed a venomous strike that gave his team the lead in the 24th minute.

After Moussa Sissoko moved to the right-back position, Ndombele slowed down a bit but was still a constant threat to the opposition.

#2 Flop: Angus Gunn

Gunn did not have the best of games against Tottenham

The Englishman had little to do all game as his defense worked hard to protect him from the start. However, Angus Gunn was not prudent enough when called upon and did not have the best of days on the pitch. The Englishman made 2 saves in the game and when his team really needed him, he failed to stand up and be counted.

In the 24th minute, when Son passed the ball to Ndombele, it was only a half-chance for the home side. Ndombele tried his luck and Gunn allowed the Frenchman’s shot to pass through his hands.

The Englishman should have at least parried it out of harm’s way. However, he surrendered meekly. The goal changed the complexion of the game and put Southampton on the back foot.

After Danny Ings had equalized in dramatic fashion, Tottenham were a man down and the momentum was with Southampton.

Sadly, against the run of play, Spurs broke away in speed on the counter and scored. Gunn, once again, was just a spectator between the posts as Kane’s half volley found the back of the net.

#1 Hit: Harry Kane

Harry Kane (R)

In the end, it was up to the Englishman to save his team on a day when Tottenham were far from their best on the pitch. Kane’s brilliant half volley reinstated Spurs’ lead and helped them win all 3 points.

However, even before the goal, the Englishman had caught the eye with his all-round performance on the pitch.

Kane continued to be a threat in the opening stages of the game. He ran the channels very well and opened up spaces in the final third for the midfielders to run into. His combination play with Christian Eriksen and Son was excellent as usual and it was from one such move that Tottenham regained their lead.

The front three worked in tandem to bring the ball out of their half and hit the visitors hard on the counter. Kane received the final ball from Eriksen and finished well to earn his team all 3 points. His hold up play in the second half was impeccable and it helped his team deal with the pressure applied by the Saints.