Three positives from Tottenham’s 3-2 loss to Saints

1. Hugo Lloris‘ heroics

While cheesy and overused more than Piccadilly Line underground trains, Hugo Lloris ages like fine wine. Hopefully the use of that cliche is an easier pill to swallow than watching Spurs throw away their lead last night.

Anyway, Tottenham have Lloris to thank for going into the interval level. Other than a missed Sergio Reguilon sitter, Spurs had no business going into the break on even terms. The wily Frenchman set the tone on an exquisite close-range save on Che Adams only four minutes in. While Adams, who was so close Lloris could smell his foul breath, was in a must-score situation, Lloris came up with a massive and improbable save.

The 35-year-old followed that save with a superb diving stop on a dangerous long-range James Ward-Prowse effort later in the half. One of the main scouting tidbits, not to let Ward-Prowse let loose from anywhere, was ignored by Winks, but Lloris yet again saved a colleague’s blushes. That became the theme of the first half.

Lloris was peppered with 10 shots, seven of which he saved. He had absolutely no chance on any of Southampton’s three goals and was Spurs man of the match. Thank everything that’s holy Tottenham’s captain just signed a contract extension.