Southampton scorers:-
Lallana, 13
Lambert, 59

Spurs scorers:-
Adebayor, 25,64
Hooiveld (o.g.), 54

Attendance:- 31,455

Referee:- Mr. C. Foy
Assistants:- Mr. P. Kirkup & Mr. M. Wilkes
Fourth official:- Mr. P. Dowd

Teams:-
Southampton (4-3-3):- Gazzaniga; Chambers, Lovren, Hooiveld, Fox (sub Gallagher, 78); Davis (sub Ramirez, 69), Cork (sub Ward-Prowse, 63), Schneiderlin; Lallana (Capt.), Lambert, Rodriguez

Subs not used:- Cropper; Fonte, Yoshida; Reed

Booked:- Ward-Prowse (foul on Rose)

Spurs (4-4-2):- Lloris; Walker, Dawson (Capt.), Chiriches, Rose; Lamela (sub Chadli, 61), Dembele (sub Bentaleb, 50), Eriksen, Sigurdsson; Adebayor, Soldado (sub Defoe, 85)

Subs not used:- Friedel; Fredericks, Capoue; Holtby

Booked:- Sigurdsson (foul on Davis)

The second coming of Emmanuel

Emmanuel Adebayor scored his second and third goals in four days today, and gave another man of the match performance, with form, skill and effort that matched that seen in his first (loan) season at Tottenham. Adebayor’s was not the only starring performance though in another 4-4-2, but one which was more solid and creative than that which faced West Ham on Wednesday night. This was Spurs’ third consecutive away win, and significantly was the first time this season that we have scored three goals in a league game. At this moment in time, Tim Sherwood has the best Premier league win rate percentage going!

Whilst the Spurs defence was still found wanting at times, it was helped by the return of skipper Michael Dawson. Christian Eriksen partnered Dembele in the middle and offered more creative spark, behind Adebayor and his partner today Roberto Soldado. Erik Lamela got a rare start, playing on the right, and there was no sign of Aaron Lennon, even on the bench. Lamela displayed trickery, and it was his pass from deep in our half which triggered the first Spurs goal, which was another sparkling team affair, finished by Adebayor.

Sadly, whilst I had thought that Sandro would be available, he too was absent from the squad. A couple of interesting substitutions gave under-21 captain Nabil Bentaleb a debut, replacing the injured Dembele. Bentaleb didn’t disappoint either, playing a full part in Spurs second-half dominating attacking display. Nacer Chadli replaced Lamela on the right, no doubt to assist Kyle Walker more effectively in defence. Chadli was something of a revelation in this position today, combining skilfully and at pace with Adebayor, and often beating the defence down the line. Chadli’s presence also gave Walker more opportunity to get forward.

It was a mild, clear sunny day at St. Mary’s, and Southampton played towards the Northam (away) stand in the first half, meaning that Lloris had the additional problem of the bright sunshine to contend with. We away fans also had to contend with this impediment to viewing the game, well into the second half. Those early kick-offs have a lot to answer for!

Southampton nominally set up as a 4-3-3, but their midfield was more fluid than that, with Cork and Schneiderlin playing the role of protectors, and Davis, Lallana and Rodriguez having the task of supplying Lambert. Mind you, Lallana was often further forward than Lambert, and over the course of the game offered the greater danger to Spurs, scoring one and creating their second goal.

Spurs fell under early pressure, with Lambert taking a free kick from a good 25 yards, which was held by Lloris, then both Dawson and Rose having to make good defensive headers. Rose’s intervention was required after Walker had over-committed on his flank, and thus allowed a threatening cross to be sent into the Spurs area. Lamela chipped a lovely ball over the defence down the right channel after 10 minutes, and Soldado fired in a cross, which Adebayor could not quite reach. Spurs won a corner.

However, we fell one down three minutes later, as Spurs afforded far too much space to The “Saints”, who were allowed to pass inside from the left flank. I think it was Schneiderlin’s final pass to Lallana, who with a deft turn or two took two Spurs defenders out of the equation, and fired a low right footer past Lloris’s right hand, and into the net off the post.

Sigurdsson then fired over a good opportunity, and Spurs were soon on the back foot again, after Danny Rose lost out under pressure. Lambert crossed inside from the right; Lallana continued the movement of the ball from right to left and Rodriguez fired over. Spurs then levelled with an excellent goal from back to front. Lamela was deep in our half in a central position, and sent Adebayor away with a good pass. Adebayor made a powerful run, and fed the ball out to the left where Soldado took it on, crossing from deep on the left. Adebayor had made it to the box and hooked the ball past Gazzaniga at the back post.

Adebayor led another move with a ball to Walker, whose cross reached Sigurdsson, who won a corner with his deflected shot. The rest of the play in this half tended to consist of lots of closing down in the middle third of the pitch, with possession passing to and fro.

Gazzaniga’s goal was in shade from the start of the second half, so that advantage was not available to Spurs, who nonetheless went full pelt for a lead. Dembele and Adebayor worked ever so hard and with not a little skill to get the ball down the left flank, and Adebayor’s cross was cleared. Adebayor often demonstrated great ball skills at close quarters. What with his strength and pace, he has obviously been training hard, and of course Sherwood has seen plenty of him, as Manu has had to train with the Development Squad. Sherwood has seen plenty of Bentaleb too. Bentaleb has been on the first team bench a couple of times, but Sherwood showed the faith and confidence to replace the injured Dembele with Bentaleb after only 50 minutes.

Spurs did take the lead, but not through their own feet, but with the third own goal in their favour over the course of the season. The lead was deserved after Adebayor and Eriksen’s efforts in sending Danny Rose clear. Rose got to the line and hit a low cross to the near post, where a combination of Gazzaniga’s hands and Hooiveld’s feet led to the ball hitting the net. We couldn’t hold that lead for long though, and Lloris has to take a lot of the blame for coming too far out this time, allowing Lallana to slip the ball past the keeper and to give Lambert an open goal to hit.

Chadli replaced Lamela at this point, and almost scored immediately, as Adebayor sent him away, and he had a good shot blocked. Soon after from a Spurs throw, Chadli returned the compliment feeding Adebayor inside the box. Adebayor beat the keeper with a great finish across his right hand into the far corner.

Spurs could and should have gone on to make their lead a comfortable two or three goal margin, but couldn’t find the net. Soldado was free and goal-side of the Southampton defence, which was looking more and more frail, but when he should have scored, he pushed the shot wide of the far post, putting his head in his hands. Then Chadli, after an exchange with Adebayor, got past the defence down the line, crossing low and hard. Soldado reached the ball, but his touch took it just over the bar. After a poor defensive back pass, Soldado latched onto the ball but could only hit the side netting.

Kyle Walker sent a long ball down the line, and Adebayor showed power, stamina and speed, in winning the chase. He passed to Chadli, whose shot was wide of the mark.

At the other end, Lloris did succeed in taking the ball off Rodriguez’s feet, as the keeper advanced off his line. Lloris also got down well to hold a shot by substitute Gallagher. At times during the closing stages, Spurs allowed themselves to get under too much pressure from a home side desperate to end a run that has now been extended to six games without a win. Lloris seemed to panic too much, punching or slapping the ball away, and none too accurately either. In one of the melees, Lambert had a chance, but fired over.

Spurs otherwise saw out the five minutes of added time climbing back above Man Utd, and putting themselves six points clear of Southampton, now in ninth place.

This was better gung-ho football from Spurs, and we can expect more of the same in our next two games, both at home, against West Brom and Stoke. With Arsenal hosting Chelsea tomorrow (Monday) night, and Liverpool playing both Man City and Chelsea away over the next week, can Spurs climb back into top four contention? We’ll have to wait and see, but it seems we are in for a lot more fun while we find out!

· See the exclusive "Spursometer" and have your say regarding the performances of the team, individual players, manager and officials.

Follow @spursodyssey

· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.
· All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here! THFC6061 Sports Stats