That was the week that was.
Can
it get any worse?
Then
the sun started to come out (metaphorically speaking, even though the sun was actually
out) and the crowd roared. They fought like possessed demons (the players, not
the crowd). A one-man-deficit would have destroyed a weaker side, but to be
fair the victorias and 10 men team were fortunate to be up against a mediocre
Southampton side.
Having
made a slow start this season, this was a welcome victory for us, as we had
started the day closer to the bottom three than the top two. After dropping 10
points from our previous six games, we were relieved to have returned to our
winning ways (of course we will have to go back a bit to remember them) even if
it was a far from convincing performance.
Our
French goalkeeper Lloris had been forced to save from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
before France midfielder Ndombele lashed home his second goal since joining
from Lyon in July (a star in the making).
Our
season has been anything but straightforward and, having developed a nasty
habit of throwing away leads, we once again gifted our adversaries a way back
at our Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Aurier's
needless lunge on Bertrand as the Southampton player charged forward, resulting
in a second yellow card for the Ivory Coast defender, lifted Southampton's
hopes - and eight minutes later they were level. You could hear the gasps from
the crowd, as we thought Deja-vu all over again.
Lloris,
back in the side after missing the Leicester defeat to be with his wife, as she
gave birth to a baby (what else would it be? Penguin? Don’t be ridiculous), was
so embarrassed after losing possession inside his own six-yard area to Ings,
who then managed to bundle the ball over the line.
Yet,
and remembering who we are, we managed to get ourselves back in front, Kane
finishing from 12 yards after a sweeping move involving the imposing Son
Heung-min and Eriksen, whose pass allowed ‘One of our own’ to score his 10th
goal of the season for club and country.
Eriksen
keeps cool to motivate Spurs
This
was a big day for Eriksen, who started this month by being linked with a move
away from Tottenham before the European transfer deadline.
He
ended it by marking his recall to Pochettino's team, starting line-up with a
busy performance which he capped by providing the assist for the winning goal.
With
his contract set to expire next summer, the Denmark midfielder continues to be
linked with a move away after six years at the club. Let us hope that Vertoghen
supports his stay at the club. Maybe even Dele Alli will raise a glass or two,
if he stays.
Yet
while Aurier was sent off and Lloris committed a horrible mistake, Eriksen kept
a cool head as he played a significant part in helping to put our season back
on track.
With
the game goalless, his free-kick took a deflection and resulted in a chance for
Kane, who slipped as he attempted to volley home from close range.
Saints
fail to capitalise after Aurier dismissal
Southampton
have found playing away from home a much more comfortable experience than
performing at St Mary's this season, but not at the Tottenham stadium though.
Southampton
arrived in north London seeking a fifth straight league and cup away win - and
for spells they looked like they might extend that run.
Despite
losing Portugal defender Cedric Soares in the warm-up, which resulted in Jannik
Vestergaard being promoted from the substitutes bench, they took the game to
us, until we showed them who was Kings of White Hart Lane.
Man
of the match - Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Have
we turned the corner? Next up will be the Germans in the Champions League
(Bayern Munich). We can do it, we should do it and if we do, do it, then the
fireworks will be ablaze at the end of the game, above and within the stadium.
After that, Brighton away.
Some
stats for you
We
have won eight of our past nine Premier League home games against Southampton,
losing the other in May 2016.
We
have won a Premier League game when having a player sent off for the first time
since September 2017 against West Ham.
Southampton
had 58.8% possession against us, the most by a non 'big six' side in an away
league game against them since Everton in November 2014 (61.4%).
Since
the start of last season, Southampton have both scored, and conceded goals in
29 different Premier League games - only Arsenal (31) have done so in more.
Harry
Kane scored in his sixth consecutive Premier League appearance against
Southampton - only Robin van Persie against Stoke (eight), Jimmy Floyd
Hasselbaink against West Ham (seven) and Romelu Lukaku against West Ham (7)
have had longer scoring streaks against an opponent in the competition.
Tanguy
Ndombele has scored more goals in his first five Premier League appearances for
us (two) than he managed in 69 Ligue 1 appearances for Amiens and Lyon combined
(one).
Serge
Aurier became the first Tottenham player to be sent off in a Premier League
home match since Kyle Naughton against Stoke in November 2014.
So,
there you have the statistics, the game, and now we must look forward to –
hopefully – significant challenges and rewards ahead… this will be the season
(said every year, and every year meant, but one of these years will become a
reality).
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