Tottenham twice squander the lead as Southampton fight back to claim dramatic victory
Tottenham twice squandered the lead as Southampton fought back to claim victory in a five-goal thriller in the Premier League.
Spurs were pegged back by an Armando Broja strike after an own-goal had given gifted them an opener. They went ahead again through Heung-min Son, but finishes from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Che Adams in quick succession turned the game around in the Saints’ favour.
Antonio Conte named an unchanged starting XI from the side that beat Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday.
On the contrary, Ralph Hasenhuttl rung the changes. Only James Ward-Prowse survived from the team that started their fourth-round tie against Coventry.
Hugo Lloris was called into action early on as the Saints sprung out the traps. He got down quickly to save Adams’ rasping shot.
Having soaked up some pressure, Tottenham returned with a shot on target of their own. Harry Kane’s strike from range was claimed by Fraser Forster.
The hosts then thought they had the lead when Cristian Romero headed home. He was offside from Son’s free-kick, though.
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They went close again minutes later when only Forster’s outstretched left hand denied Sergio Reguilon from scoring.
But it was a matter of third time lucky. Lucas Moura picked out Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the box, who’s cross was turned into his own net by Jan Bednarek.
Southampton get on top
The visitors looked to respond quickly and nearly did when Ward-Prowse’s bouncing shot had to palmed away by Lloris.
And soon after they were level. Ben Davies mad a hash of a clearance, which resulted in Broja converting first time from Romain Perraud’s low cross.
The Albanian striker was causing the Spurs defence problems, but Lloris was equal to his next effort, a header.
Perraud was finding joy down the left hand side and another of his cross’ had to be tipped round the post after Stuart Armstrong headed into the ground.
Just like that, Southampton are level!
Armando Broja with a lovely instinctive finish to catch out Lloris pic.twitter.com/HOpehhDNPI
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 9, 2022
Broja had a great chance to give his side the lead. He escaped the attention of Davinson Sanchez but could only fire wide when through on goal.
Southampton were in control of the game as Armstrong’s effort across goal whistled just past the post. Tottenham managed to hold on to half-time, though.
Tottenham hit back after break
After the break Tottenham came out fighting. Son tapped wide from Reguilon’s cross.
And then another ball in by the Spanish left-back found Kane, who’s header into the ground bounced up and over the crossbar.
Sanchez entered the book for a strong challenge on Adams before Rodrigo Bentancur was introduced for his Premier League debut, replacing Hojbjerg.
Kane was claiming a penalty when Bednarek brought him down in the box. Southampton were relieved to see the offside flag instead.
As both sides searched for a potential winner the contest became heated. Sanchez and Broja squared up as the latter claimed a penalty for a shove from the former.
And the Saints were even more frustrated when Spurs did get ahead. They thought Broja had been fouled by Emerson Royal in the build-up.
Nevertheless, Kane played in Moura who crossed for Son to turn in.
Kane Moura Son
Tottenham restore their lead after a beautifully worked moved!
Heung-min Son loves a goal against Southampton pic.twitter.com/helZnqXtqS
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 9, 2022
Moura was then taken off by Conte who also handed Dejan Kulusevski his Premier League debut.
Southampton didn’t let their heads drop and were level again when Mohamed Elyounoussi headed home from Ward-Prowse’s cross.
And the game was flipped on its head in the space of just three minutes as Adams this time connected with a Ward-Prowse cross for a replica of their second goal.
Both managers made changes, with Steven Bergwijn coming on for Reguilon and Shane Long and Theo Walcott taking the places of Adams and Broja.
Two goals in two minutes and Southampton have turned this game on its head!
Spurs switch off and Che Adams creeps in to land a perfect header pic.twitter.com/4P1NmWrJ6c
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 9, 2022
Conte thought his change had worked. But Bergwijn was offside when he netted, a VAR check ruled.
And that meant Hasenhuttl and his side returned to the south coast with all three points.
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