Tottenham flip script smash Southampton in 4-1 opening day win
By Aaron Coe
After twice losing the lead at home last season against Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur settled down and came back themselves to smash the Saints.
Antonio Conte did not make any changes to his Spurs team for the opener, with Ben Davies, Ryan Sessegnon, and Emerson Royal still in the starting line-up. It was obvious from the start that this was not the same team as the one that ended last season, as Spurs were looking to press and pressure all over the pitch. Despite the good early energy, Southampton and a usual suspect put the visitors ahead.
Ward-Prowse strikes again against Tottenham
Although Spurs were in command from the off, a bad tough here or a poor pass there provided ample opportunity for Southampton to get on the ball. Ultimately, a possession involving a couple of crosses led to a looping cross from the end line to James Ward-Prowse at the top of the box.
After watching the replay, Pierre Hojbjerg probably should have read the ball better and not tried to head it out, but he was likely not thinking about what Ward-Prowse was about to do.
Catching the ball perfectly off the bounce as it went over Hojbjerg, the English midfielder slammed a volley toward the turf. Southampton took the lead as the ball quickly skidded past a scrambling but helpless Hugo Lloris.
As Spurs defenders held their little inquest, the good news was the lead would not be squandered early, and the team would galvanize their resolve from there.
Fortunately, Tottenham bounced back from that early concession and took over the game.