The build-up around the game was fixed on Mauricio Pochettino’s return to St. Mary’s. The game itself was very entertaining, with Southampton taking the lead twice and Spurs equalising both times. A very enjoyable 90 minutes but a point was not useful for either side, as both their seasons are effectively over.
Spurs came from behind twice to draw with Ronald Koeman’s Southampton side on Pochettino’s return to his old stomping ground. Both teams started with a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Ryan Mason and Hugo Lloris returning to the Tottenham starting lineup while James Ward-Prowse returned for the hosts.
Spurs started brightly, controlling possession and the pace of the game, but the Saints hit back with a spell of possession of their own from which they produced the first chance of the match. Morgan Schneiderlin’s side-footed volley from a corner was well saved by Lloris, and, shortly after, a back pass from Mason should have been cleared by Ben Davies but he hesitated and allowed Pellè to poke in ahead of him to give Southampton the lead. Steven Davis could have made it 2-0 but his shot was skewed wide.
As the first-half came to a close, Spurs scored with their first real chance of the match. Dier’s cross was headed on by Harry Kane unto Erik Lamela who headed (or elbowed) past Kelvin Davis.
Both sides went into the break level at 1-1. Southampton started the second half brightly and both Ward-Prowse and Steven Davis shot wide from in and around the box. Southampton regained the lead against the run of play somewhat when Nathaniel Clyne’s cross found Pellè whose brilliant header powered past a helpless Lloris. That lead only lasted five minutes though, as Dier played a ball down Southampton’s left channel for Nacer Chadli to slot in and equalise for his 10th goal of the season.
Saints fans show no love for Pochettino
Pochettino joined Spurs after leading Southampton to its highest ever Premier League finish last season. He resigned after the failure of the board to assure him of the club’s plan for the future amid rumors of a fire sale, as well as the resignation of the man who brought him there – Nicola Cortese.
Saints fans have not forgiven Pochettino, with many believing he jumped ship when the club needed the leader to steer the ship. They showed the Argentine today that they do not miss him, with songs of “there’s only one Ronald Koeman” being heard throughout the match as well as the “orange campaign”, where they wear the Dutch orange to show their support for their Dutch manager.
Spurs miss their pacey full-backs
Spurs announced this week that Kyle Walker will be out for the next four weeks which means that he is likely to miss the rest of the season. Danny Rose, one of Spurs’ best players this campaign, missed this match with a hamstring injury, and itt is unclear how long he will be out for.
A key component of Pochettino’s system is the full-backs providing the width and pace. He had Clyne and Shaw at Southampton and at Spurs he has Walker and Rose. Both players were missing and this was horribly exposed. Spurs lacked the width and pace that these players provided. Their replacements, Dier and Ben Davies, are not bad players, but they do not provide that attacking impetus nor the natural width that Walker and Rose provide.
Spurs’ problems worsened when Davies went off with an apparent dislocated shoulder and that may force Jan Vertonghen to play in his unfavourable left-back position for the next few matches. This creates an unbalance as it is likely Spurs will be lining up with four centre-backs in defence over the next few matches.
Spurs lack firepower
It is well noted that Harry Kane is Spurs’ top scorer in the league with 20 goals. Following behind him is Eriksen and Chadli with 10 each but after those two, the goal output is disappointing and leaves a lot to be desired.
Andros Townsend, Emmanuel Adebayor, Rose, Dier and Lamela are all the third highest scorers in the Spurs side with two goals. For a side with ambitions of a top four challenge, you need your squad players to be chipping in with more goals. Players like Townsend and Lamela need to be pushing their goal tallies around eight to ten goals per season. Spurs need a backup striker to assist Kane in the goal scoring department. Spurs need to address that in the summer.
Both team’s seasons are over
Following the draw, it is clear that the season is over for both Spurs (sixth) and Southampton (seventh). Both are a point apart and too far off the final Champions League spot to mount any sort of challenge with four games left. Both are also 10 and nine points respectively ahead of eighth-placed Swansea and so there is no worry about them dropping down the table. Each side can be content, if not happy, with the season they had.
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Southampton underwent a massive overhaul last summer with no fewer than five first team players being sold and as previously mentioned, their manager leaving for Spurs. With that taken into consideration and considering they had to integrate a lot of new players, Ronald Koeman has done a phenomenal job.
The Saints are now one point off their highest points total that they achieved last season with a possible 12 points to fight for. A Europa League place is still possible and there is nothing more Saints fans would love more than seeing their side in Europe considering they were in the Championship a few seasons ago.
Spurs will accept sixth place considering they have a new manager who does not have the players he wants to play the style he wants. They also had a cup run this season and at the start of the campaign, if you asked Spurs fans their expectations, most would have told you sixth and a cup run. They have, therefore, achieved expectations, although they will be hoping to fight for a top four spot next season. For now, the Europa League awaits them again unless they finish seventh and Aston Villa win the FA Cup.
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