EPL – What We Learned – Tottenham Hotspur 1 Southampton 2

EPL – What We Learned – Tottenham Hotspur 1 Southampton 2

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Southampton received a major boost to their Europa League hopes with a 2-1 win over a dispirited Tottenham outfit at White Hart Lane.

The Saints have now pulled a point ahead of West Ham and sit now three points behind Manchester United – who both have a game in hand – in a season where even a spot in the top seven could be enough to make Europe. Tottenham remain outright second after Arsenal failed to take the opportunity to draw level on points, only managing to come away with one from their match against Manchester City.

Spurs took the lead on the back of some hesitant goalkeeping from Fraser Forster, with  reaching the ball before the custodian and dribbling the defence to slot home a brilliant solo effort. The lead did not last too long though, with Steven Davis prodding one under the glove of Hugo Lloris 15 minutes later.

It was Davis scoring again in the second-half to put the visitors in front, picking his spot perfectly in the bottom corner. The home team managed maintain the majority of possession and even put several balls into the box, but ultimately there was not enough telling attacking play.


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Davis finally has his moment

Steven Davis may not be the most recognised among the Saints’ lineup, especially an attacking unit that has showcased the recent form of Shane Long, Dusan Tadić and Sadio Mané. It would be hard, however, to find a player who has been a more consistently good performer for the South Coast club this season.

Maybe not always the one to put the finishing touch on a Southampton attacking move – this game saw him double his season tally with only his seventh and eighth league goals for the club. Never really stealing the spotlight with a spectacular pinpoint ball or forging the run that makes the play, the Northern Irishman is always working hard in attack and he is always one that makes things happen for Ronald Koeman’s team, though not always with the most memorable of contributions. This game sees his name grabbing the headlines, which is no less than such a consistently good season has deserved.

Spurs lacking drive

It was always going to be hard to comeback from falling out of the running for the title in 2015-16 and a short turnaround from the midweek fixture did not help the matter. As a result, the home team lacked fighting spirit in this encounter.

Starting the game brightly it seemed as though maybe the Spurs had put the disappointment of waving goodbye to their trophy aspirations behind them. Moving the ball and pushing the Saints until Son’s opener made it look as though Mauricio Pochettino’s side were ready to close out the season strongly.

It was not to be the case, however. As soon as Davis had replied to restore parity in the game, it became clear that Tottenham had little drive left. Despite holding most of the possession, the home players seemed bereft of ideas and lacking the will to push for the opening that could put them in front.

When the Irishman’s second gave the visitors the lead, spirits dropped even lower and all semblance of fight left the Spurs. Let off by Arsenal’s slip, it is now up to Pochettino to inspire his players to fight to retain second in the last fixture of the season against Newcastle United.

The Saints complicated European dreams

Liverpool’s win against Villarreal helps the Saints’ cause through them gaining a chance to win the competition and qualify for Champions League next season, therefore forfeiting their Europa League place. This means that should the Reds finish higher, Southampton may still gain entry to the Europa League.

Sixth spot could make it if Manchester City – having already won the League Cup – finish inside the top four and up to seventh position could qualify if Manchester United manage to defeat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup while holding fifth.

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