Following Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 win over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium, read the transcripts from Dele Alli, Mauricio Pochettino, Harry Kane and Mousa Dembélé.
Tottenham would be faced with another must-win situation after dropping last Sunday’s fixture to Newcastle United 2-1. Against Southampton, Spurs needed to win in order to leapfrog Manchester United for fourth place, the problem was, the Red Devils were facing Norwich City.
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And while Man United hadn’t been in form for their previous five matches in all competitions prior to their game against Norwich yesterday, it wasn’t guaranteed that they would drop a second consecutive game. But it turns out that Manchester United, did in fact lose another game. Following Tottenham’s win over the Saints, it pushed Spurs into fourth place heading into Christmas.
The real question now isn’t ‘Can Tottenham reach the top four?’ because they just did. Now it’s, ‘Can Tottenham stay in the top four until the end of the season?’. This will be Spurs’ biggest test, but with the way they’ve been playing so far, it’s very possible that a UEFA Champions League spot is there for the taking.
And now, onto our first interviewee, central midfielder Dele Alli.
*All post-match interviews were transcribed from Tottenham’s official site
Next: Central midfielder, Dele Alli
Tottenham central midfielder, Dele Alli
Spurs TV: Okay with Dele. Dele, excellent 2-0 win, a win we needed. And the performance was outstanding.
Dele Alli: Yeah definitely. You know after last week’s result, I think all the boys knew it was important that we turn it around and left here with the three points. And thankfully we did, you know we worked hard.
I would say — definitely say — that we played better than that through the whole length of the game. But, I think the first 20 minutes were a bit slow and you know they sort of went on top of us, but as time went on we found our rhythm and found our style of play and kept the ball. And thankfully the first goal came and not so soon after, that the second one came.
STV: I say, I mean the goals put us in charge of the game didn’t it. And from there, it was such a professional job really, they didn’t trouble us in the second half did they?
DA: Yeah definitely. You know, after last week when we went 1-0 up, we knew it was important to get the second goal and kill the game off. Like… I think that was the problem last week. But you know, we worked on it hard and we worked on the training pitch hard.
And when we got the first goal we knew we couldn’t settle in, we had to keep working. And we got the second goal in; we could sort of defend a bit more and be patient. But we still kept looking for the third goal.
STV: I mean your goal came from a counterattack from Kyle. We did look dangerous on the counter, they looked like we could open them up a bit.
DA: Yeah definitely you know all the lads is, you know, were like I said, was hungry for today. We worked really hard and was prepared to fight. And we did that you know, and we had the chances to break and it was a fantastic ball by Kyle.
And we had a bit of a laugh after you know saying I didn’t come to celebrate with him. But we were too far. And he put it on a plate for me and it was a great ball and you know it was the last goal of the day.
STV: You mentioned about, you know, that hunger and I mean what has it been like at the training ground this week? Because we lost to Newcastle, it was a blip, but we haven’t lost since the first day of the season in the Premier League. It must have been tough for the lads, but you certainly got your edge around it.
DA: Yeah definitely. You know it was a hard result on the day, you know it was a tough defeat to take especially with a run like you said. But you know it’s important that we worked hard on the training pitch and everyone knew that you know. We had to put it behind us and work on the negatives and work on it for the next game and I think we did that. And you know like I said before, we’re just thankful we could leave with the three points today.
STV: And you got a rousing reception from the fans as you went off.
DA: Yeah. I can’t thank them enough. You know they’ve been fantastic with me the whole way through. And they really helped us today to keep pushing us up until the end of the game and you know they really sang their hearts out today. So safe journey back to them and Merry Christmas.
Up next is manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Next: Manager, Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino
Spurs TV: Okay Mauricio. Mauricio, you must be the happiest man in Southampton tonight. It was an excellent performance wasn’t it?
Mauricio Pochettino: I don’t know. I’m happy, very pleased for the team. But, it’s nothing against Southampton. I love Southampton, I love the people all here. And you know, but we are professional and it was a very important game for us. Very pleased for the result and the performance after 20 minutes. And in the game, I seen the last 20 minutes and we played very well and we fully deserved the victory.
STV: You often say to us that once you go 1-0 up — the second goal, very important. And we scored two goals very quickly today and that made the difference today didn’t it? We controlled it from 2-0 didn’t we?
MP: Yes you know, I think that we… in the end we fully deserved it because we managed the game after 20 minutes. But it’s true that the big save of Hugo was fantastic and lucky for us. And in the second half we managed and we showed a lot of maturity. And this is, for that, we are very happy and then we need to working hard.
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STV: Okay let me ask you about a few things. I mean, Harry’s goal.
MP: Yes. Always pleased when your striker score. We are very pleased for him. He deserved.
STV: He showed lots of strength though didn’t he to get through the tackles and then finish?
MP: It was a fantastic goal. And I think, it was fantastic… a fantastic performance from the team and we are very happy.
STV: Harry has now played 100 times for Spurs and that’s an important landmark. I know you’re very keen on, you know being good with the club; club men.
MP: Yes he’s a very important player for us. And I think we are pleased. We are very pleased for him. And you know, I think the squad that we have is the youngest squad in the Premier League. And it’s fantastic in the way that we play. I am very pleased for today because it was a difficult game. Southampton have one of the best squads in the Premier League and for that it is difficult.
STV: Mousa Dembele?
MP: Fantastic. Fantastic performance.
STV: And just finally, the whole team. The mentality after losing for the first time in a long time last. To come back here and play like this.
MP: Yes this is to show our mentality. It’s about working hard and trying to win the games. And we are strong, we are younger but we have a strong mentality.
Our third interviewee is striker Harry Kane.
Next: Striker, Harry Kane
Tottenham striker, Harry Kane
Spurs TV: Okay Harry’s here. Harry, 100 [appearances] up today and what a better way to celebrate than goal number 47. And it was some goal, mate, as well to be fair.
Harry Kane: Yeah, obviously it’s a proud moment to make my 100th appearance for Spurs. It’s very special. And obviously I wanted to come away with a win as well. And to win and to score it just makes it that a little bit more better.
STV: Tell us a little bit about this team performance. Because i know there was a lot of determination after last week and during this week to put it right and come here and win.
HK: Yeah we probably started, quite disappointed to be honest. We wanted to come out and put our stamp on the game. But credit to Southampton, they probably, matched our system and did better than us and made it tough. But we, hung in there, we started playing our football in the second half of the first half. And then obviously we got the two goals in quick succession and that kinda killed the game off.
STV: Dele was saying to us that there was a real hunger to come here and win.
HK: Yeah there was. Obviously Newcastle was a very disappointing result. It hurt us a lot. But we knew we’re here to come here and change that. It shows the character of the team to bounce straight back with three points. And now, two important games over the Christmas period.
STV: We’re just going to finish this off. You heard those fans when you were going off. Singing your name and they were the same with Dele. All game, brilliant.
HK: Yeah. We always get great away support and yeah the fans were incredible today. So we’re buzzing to send them home happy with a 2-0 win. So yeah we’re all delighted.
STV: Looking forward for the next 100 [appearances]?
HK: Yup. I can’t wait. I can’t wait. Hopefully yeah a few more of those.
STV: Well done.
HK: Thank you.
And finally, here’s central midfielder Mousa Dembélé.
Next: Central midfielder, Mousa Dembélé
Tottenham central midfielder, Mousa Dembélé
Spurs TV: Mousa’s here. Man of the Moment. Outstanding performance Mousa. Talk about the team performance first, it was important to win today, wasn’t it?
Mousa Dembele: Yeah it was very important you know. And in Southampton it’s gonna be very difficult. First half it was difficult for us, I think they played very well to be honest. And in the second half we fight with our heart. And yeah I think we had a good performance afterwards. A good team performance I think, yeah.
STV: We controlled it, from when we scored. We controlled the game. A lot of it was down to you Mousa in that midfield area.
MD: No I think it, I think — yeah exactly. I think, we controlled it very good. I think the whole team played well. I think the midfield was solid as well with Eric, Eric Dier as well. I think we done very well today.
STV: I mean you didn’t play last weekend but you’d know how much it meant to play, as everyone to come here and win don’t you?
MD: Yeah of course because you know it’s going to be very difficult here and so it’s something very special for us of course.
STV: Right, your performance. Outstanding. What did you think — how do you think you’re playing yourself?
MD: No, I’m happy I’m playing. And it’s nice to play in this team. I think we’re playing very good football. Everybody’s working hard for each other so it’s easier to play in this team, of course because everybody is working for each other. And it’s — we enjoy it. So that’s very good.
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STV: And just finally, I mean obviously when you went off you would have heard the fans singing. But they were singing your name for about five minutes out here. We caught it on video, obviously you heard it. That’s nice Mousa and that’s appreciation for you.
MD: Of course it’s always nice to hear this. So, no it’s very special for me as well of course to hear that the fans are proud as well. So yeah I’m very very happy for that, yeah. Yeah.
STV: Well done today.
MD: Thank you.