Tottenham 3-1 Southampton: Soft goals propel Spurs over Saints at Wembley

There’s always disappointment after a derby loss. Spurs were downtrodden after their 4-2 defeat to Arsenal last weekend, but it was important they didn’t let any of those negative feelings carry over into the next game.

Job done. The Lilywhites avoided the post-derby hangover.

Spurs cruised over Southampton to a 3-1 win at Wembley. Tottenham struck early through Harry Kane, then added to their advantage in the second half with goals from Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team wasn’t anything too crazy, except it did offer a return to the starting lineup for Danny Rose. Rose had a brief cameo at the Emirates, but he hadn’t started a game for Spurs since the Cardiff match at the beginning of October. There was a spot on the bench for Dele Alli, while Juan Foyth and Toby Alderweireld partnered in central defense due to the absences of Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez.

The home side started the match in the perfect way.

In the 9th minute Spurs took a corner short, and Christian Eriksen played a quality cross on the ground towards the box. Kane got to the ball first and tapped it home into the side netting. It was Harry’s ninth Premier League tally of the season.

Tottenham built off the goal by continuing to press a struggling Saints side that were being managed by Kelvin Davis on Wednesday. Former Red Bull Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhüttl has just been appointed as the club’s new manager, and he will take over for their next match.

Saints came close in the 26th minute through Pierre Emile-Højbjerg. His long-distance shot was tipped onto the post by Hugo Lloris.

Spurs couldn’t add to their lead in the first half, but they did just that early in the second frame.

Lucas made it two in the 51st minute, with the chance again coming from a corner. The ball dropped to Lucas but his first effort was blocked. He stayed with the ball and smashed it back into the ground and past a helpless Alex McCarthy.

Son Heung-Min started the season slow, but has looked much better in recent weeks. That trend continued as he bagged his second Premier League goal of the season just a few minutes after Lucas’. Matt Targett attempted to clear down the left, but Kieran Trippier’s pressure was enough to take the ball off of him. Trippier’s block went right to Kane, who then crossed to Son to bundle the ball home.

None of the goals were pretty, but who cares. They all count the same.

Spurs noticeably sat back a bit after taking the 3-0 lead. They ran less and let Saints hold possession and initiate the attacks. Dele came on to reinforce the defensive effort, as did Moussa Sissoko and the talented youngster Oliver Skipp.

Lloris kept the visitors at bay for as long as he could. At one point he made a brilliant double save to deny two shots coming from point-blank range.

But eventually Southampton did sneak one past Hugo. Charlie Austin scored on a breakaway after he looked to be offside when the assisting pass was played to him.

The Frenchman was clearly agitated at losing his clean sheet, but at the end of the day his main emotion will be satisfaction with a win over a desperate team.

The victory sees Spurs move back up the table into third place. They leapfrogged Chelsea and Arsenal after both clubs dropped points.

Next up for Tottenham is a trip to the King Power Stadium to play Leicester City on Saturday.