Tottenham Hotspur’s season has not gone according to plan. Instead of being in the fight for a top-six finish, the team finds itself hovering near the relegation zone. Once a staple of the Premier League’s ‘big six’, Tottenham’s performances have been poor under manager Ange Postecoglou. The pressure on him has been growing, particularly after a crushing defeat to Chelsea. Even with these setbacks, the club has remained committed to supporting Postecoglou, hoping he can turn things around in the final games of the season.
The match against Southampton, currently sitting at the bottom of the table, was a crucial one. Spurs were expected to win, and they delivered. The game not only offered three vital points but also allowed Tottenham to take a closer look at Southampton’s promising young player, Tyler Dibling, who has been linked with the club. Similar to their earlier encounter with Southampton, which ended in a 5-0 victory, this match followed a similar pattern. Spurs controlled the game from start to finish, dominating the match and adding a rare positive moment to what has otherwise been a disappointing season.
Tottenham came out of the gates strong. They immediately took charge of the game, showcasing a level of dominance that highlighted the difference between themselves and the bottom-placed Southampton. From the opening whistle, Spurs dictated the pace of the game. In the first half, they registered nine shots on target, controlling possession with ease. Pedro Porro and James Maddison played crucial roles in midfield, while Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson brought pace and directness on the wings.
Brennan Johnson gave Tottenham the lead in the 13th minute with a calm finish. He doubled his tally just before halftime, securing a brace. Lucas Bergvall thought he had made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute, but a VAR review ruled his strike offside. Nonetheless, Tottenham went into the break with a 2-0 lead, dominating the game with full control. Southampton had very little to offer in the first half, and Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was barely troubled.
The second half started much like the first, with Spurs continuing to dominate. Though the tempo slowed slightly, Tottenham still controlled the game, keeping possession and pressing when needed. Southampton had a few chances, particularly through Dominic Solanke, who couldn’t convert. Johnson kept Southampton’s defense busy until he was substituted, while Porro and Maddison continued to impact the game until they too were withdrawn in the 80th minute.
Southampton’s best moments came from Kamaldeen Sulemana and Yukinari Sugawara, but even then, Vicario was rarely tested. Tottenham looked set for a comfortable win, and a clean sheet seemed likely. However, late lapses allowed Southampton to get on the scoreboard. Djed Spence failed to track Mateus Fernandes, who scored a consolation goal. Then, in stoppage time, debutant Mathys Tel netted his first Premier League goal, making it 3-1 to Tottenham. Despite the late errors, the win was a significant boost for Postecoglou and the team.
Guglielmo Vicario, the goalkeeper, had a quiet evening but remained solid when called upon. He commanded his area well and showed good decision-making when needed. He couldn’t do much about the late goals and handled the pressure well, maintaining composure throughout. Djed Spence had a decent performance but struggled with his positioning at times, showing some inconsistency compared to his recent displays. Ben Davies quietly did his job, rarely troubled defensively, though he didn’t contribute much going forward. Cristian Romero was his usual aggressive self at the back, leading the defense and coming close to scoring with a header that forced a save. Pedro Porro was involved in almost every attacking move down the right. He worked tirelessly and was a constant threat to Southampton’s defense. Despite a booking for a clumsy foul, Porro had a solid performance.
Rodrigo Bentancur didn’t have his best game. He appeared a bit off the pace early on and struggled to get into the rhythm of the match. Nonetheless, he showed glimpses of his ability in midfield before being substituted before the 60th minute. Lucas Bergvall was bright during his time on the pitch. He nearly scored a spectacular goal, and his confidence seemed to grow with each appearance, showing promise for the future. James Maddison wasn’t at his most spectacular but was key in controlling the tempo. He linked play well and kept things ticking in the midfield. His intelligence and ability to draw fouls helped Spurs maintain composure, and he showed leadership before being substituted to preserve energy for upcoming matches.
Brennan Johnson was undoubtedly one of the standout performers. He scored two well-taken goals, showcasing smart movement and clinical finishing. He was a constant threat to Southampton’s defense and was lively throughout the match. Dominic Solanke made his first start for Tottenham and had a decent showing. He got into good positions and linked up play well, though his finishing was off on the day. Heung-min Son had a quieter game than usual. While he worked hard and created space for others, he didn’t hit his usual high standards and was substituted early in the second half, possibly with future rotation in mind.
The substitutes also made contributions. Wilson Odobert came on with fresh legs and added some directness, though he wasn’t involved in any key moments. Pape Matar Sarr was introduced to provide control and composure in midfield, and he did his job without any fuss. Archie Gray was tidy during his brief time on the pitch and didn’t put a foot wrong in the final moments. Yves Bissouma was another substitute who helped break up Southampton’s momentum as the game wound down, looking sharp and energized in his brief appearance. Mathys Tel, who came on late, made the most of his opportunity, scoring his first Premier League goal. The Frenchman showed great awareness and composure to finish off a fast break, marking a memorable moment in his young Spurs career.
In the end, Tottenham secured the three points, which were much needed after a difficult season. Though there were moments of complacency, especially in the late stages of the game, the victory was a confidence booster for Postecoglou and his team. With some of the players showing promise, like Bergvall and Tel, and others, like Johnson, playing key roles, there were a few positives to take from the match. Spurs will look to build on this result as they move into the final stretch of the season, hoping to avoid relegation and finish the campaign on a high note. The match against Southampton may have been a relatively straightforward one, but it was still an important win, and it provided some hope that better performances are on the horizon.
