Southampton’s run of away wins ended as they lost 2-1 to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The Saints had won their last two away matches – against Watford and Sunderland – but were unable to fight their way past a strong Spurs side.
Despite missing top scorer Harry Kane, Spurs were sharp from the off and took the lead in the 14th minute. Christian Eriksen brought the ball forward and lashed home a left-footed effort into the corner from 20-yards.
Southampton’s misery was soon compiled when January signing Manolo Gabbiadini went off injured and moments later Spurs won a penalty.
Steven Davis brought down Dele Alli in the box and the latter stepped up to put Spurs 2-0 up.
James Ward-Prowse fired Southampton back into the game in the 52nd minute with a well controlled volley but Spurs were able to hold on and claim all three points.
Here is how we rated the Saints…
Fraser Forster: 7
Could nothing about either goal but made a string of impressive stops to keep Southampton in the game; including a superb save to deny Toby Alderweireld.
Forster clawed the defender’s header off the line to keep the Saints in it.
Cedric Soares: 6
Solid game from Cedric. He did not do too much wrong but was not spectacular either. Average.
Maya Yoshida: 5
Yoshida made a hash of his clearance before the penalty and gifted Tottenham the ball back far too often.
Southampton are really missing Jose Fonte and Virgil Van Dijk.
Jack Stephens: 6
Made a few good tackles and blocks but his positional awareness is very poor at times. Left players unmarked when he should have been picking them up.
His use of the ball was very good, though.
Ryan Bertrand: 8
Bertrand set up Ward-Prowse’s goal and was on it from the off.
The English left-back was easily Southampton’s brightest player against Spurs, defending well and good going forward.
Oriol Romeu: 7
His use of the ball was poor in truth, struggles when moving forward with the ball.
But his tackling was good and he stopped a number of Spurs attacks.
Steven Davis: 6
Worked hard in the midfield but did not win enough tackles when defending and gave the ball away cheaply far too often.
James Ward-Prowse: 7
Scored the goal for Saints and looked sharp on the ball all afternoon.
His set-piece deliveries were good but he needs to get more involved in the game.
Dusan Tadic: 6
Created a few good chances but missed a glorious chance in the first-half when he should have scored.
He has certainly had better performances this season…
Nathan Redmond: 6
Showed some sparks of quality but struggled up against Kyle Walker. Not his game.
Manolo Gabbiadini: N/A
Not much to judge on. Everyone will be praying his injury is not serious…