Tottenham unable to find winning moment in frustrating draw with Saints
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham’s first away match in 51 days didn’t go according to Antonio Conte’s script, as Southampton frustrated the away side, scrapping and clawing their way to a 1-1 draw.
The first 40 minutes didn’t go the way Antonio Conte had intended, with Southampton getting the better of Spurs at St. Mary’s. As so often seen in the Premier League, the complexion of the match changed in a flash when Mohammed Salisu clipped Son Heung-min to concede a penalty.
The Ghanaian defender earned his second yellow for the mistimed tackle, which handed Spurs the impetus and momentum. Harry Kane smashed his penalty home in effortless fashion, cancelling out the earlier emphatic strike from Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.
After the penalty incident, all signs pointed to a Tottenham victory. Spurs dominated possession and thought they went ahead early in the second half when Kane appeared to beat Saints’ offside trap with a craftily timed run. Harry Winks found Spurs’ talisman with a sublime through ball, which Kane deposited with aplomb. That was until VAR unceremoniously, and incorrectly, intervened.
Southampton predictably receded into a fortified defensive wall, making it difficult for Spurs to penetrate. Lucas Moura, who came on for a largely ineffective Dele Alli, made things difficult for the Saints’ defensive wall. Unfortunately nobody could find the decisive touch for Spurs.
Tottenham were unable to find another decisive moment and will rue the missed opportunity to leapfrog West Ham as they hunt for fourth place.
With the draw, Conte became the first Tottenham manager to remain unbeaten in his first seven matches in charge. That feat won’t provide Conte with any solace, as the Italian gaffer will be devastated by dropping two vital points.