Final Score: Southampton 0-5 Tottenham
Southampton vs Tottenham: This match was from the halftime when Tottenham Hotspur displayed tremendous football performance which overwhelmed Southampton 5-0 on the St. Mary’s Stadium. It would be instructive to note that all the goals were scored in the first half of the match and more concerning was the mean intent from the London side. The match saw performances by James Maddison (twice), Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, and Pape Matar Sarr, as Southampton failed to deal with constant pressure from the Spurs.
Southampton vs Tottenham Match Highlights: A First-Half Masterclass
Tottenham wasted no time asserting their authority:
– 1′ – James Maddison: The match began with a burst of firepower and Maddison put the ball in the back of the net within one minute. Southampton fans were left stunned early on after a slip up from the defensive line released Maddison and he made no mistake in firing the ball into the back of the net past the helpless Alex McCarthy.
– 12′ – Son Heung-min: The captain and top scored of the Spurs doubled the lead from another nice combination play. Son produced one of his classic runs into the area and with the help of the perfect pass from behind, the Korean duly placed the ball at the far corner of the net.
– 14′ – Dejan Kulusevski: It was only few minutes and Kulusevski sealed the match with the third goal. Destiny Udogie delivered an excellent cross to the area and set Kulusevski free for the header as he was left uncovered at the back stick.
– 25′ – Pape Matar Sarr: Once again, the midfielder put the finishing touch to a sweetest of Tottenham moves, curled a shot from just outside the right corner of the penalty area. Sarr tried and the ball went over McCarthy’s head into the corner of the goal.
– 25′ – Pape Matar Sarr: From a central position, the middle of the field belongs to the Tottenham where the midfielder decided to end a very fine build up with a shot from thirty yards. Sarr brought out the best save out of McCarthy as there was no chance for the Wolverhampton keeper as he watched the ball go into the top end of the net.
– 45+5′ – James Maddison: Just before the end of the half-time break, Maddison added another to make it 5-0. There was good hold up play by Son to give Maddison the ball, Maddison then took it into the box, took a touch before placing the ball in the corner.
After scoring five goals in the first half of the game, Tottenham made it very hard for Southampton to claw their way back and really put the nail in the coffin.
Southampton vs Tottenham Second Half: Managing the Game
The second period was more tactical, in the sense that Spurs were willing to relinquish more of the ball butner control of the match. Southampton sought to search for a consolation goal but were stifled by Tottenham’s defence that included Radu Dragusin and Alfie Gray. Fraser Forster spent most of the time as a goalkeeper and had to make only two ordinary saves during the match.
Southampton was frustrated as Spurs refused to open up their defense for the saints to penetrate. The visitors dominated the ball, kept their formation and looked relaxed as they saw the match through to its completion. That was a joy for Tottenham fans to watch, their team had never looked so dominant before.
Southampton vs Tottenham Match Lineups
Southampton (4-3-1-2)
– Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy
– Defenders: Kyle Walker-Peters Taylor Harwood-Bellis Jan Bednarek Ryan Manning
– Midfielders: Substitutes: Joe Aribo ,Flynn Downes ,Miguel Fernandes,Tyler Dibling
– Forwards: Adam Armstrong of Blackburn Rovers, Kamaldeen Sulemana of Nordsjælland.
Tottenham (4-2-3-1)
– Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
– Defenders: Udogie, Destiny Gray, Alfred, Radu Dragusin Spence, Jed
– Midfielders: Lucas Bergvall Pape Matar Sarr Heung-min Son James Maddison Dejan Kulusevski
– Forward: Dominic Solanke
Southampton vs Tottenham Match Stats
|
Statistic |
Southampton | Tottenham |
|
Shots |
9 | 18 |
| Shots on Target | 3 |
9 |
|
Possession |
41% | 59% |
| Passes | 428 |
598 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% |
90% |
|
Fouls |
8 | 15 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 |
3 |
|
Red Cards |
0 | 0 |
|
Offsides |
2 |
0 |
| Corners | 2 |
5 |
Tottenham dominated this match most evident in the stats on ball possession, number of passes and number of shots on target. Southampton could only muster three shots at goal, and none of those came close to causing problems for Forster.
Star Performers
– James Maddison: The outstanding performer of the match was Maddison who got two goals and provided creativity in the midfielder for Tottenham. He set the pace, made opportunities and showed proper goal-scoring abilities.
– Son Heung-min: You would say that an example of such a player would be the Spurs captain as he managed to score a goal and set one for his teammates as well. This man and his movement were turned into a nightmare for the Southampton defense all the time.
– Dejan Kulusevski: The Swedish winger was a thorn in the side of the Saints on the right hand side of the pitch as he bagged a goal and tormented the defence with his speed and crosses.
– Pape Matar Sarr: A dominant figure in the middle of the park, Sarr added a goal to his commendable display by putting payment to Southampton’s advances.
Tactical Breakdown
Tottenham all over achieved their 4-2-3-1 formation to the latter. The well-timed double pivot of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr made it easy for Spurs attacking talents to find room to operate. Maddison, Son, and Kuluseveski really targeted zones in the middle between the Southampton defense and its midfield line, while Saint-Maximin and Domunch Chamberlain used the rest of the space by occupying the two center backs.
Tottenham played defensively and kept a rigid formation. Spence provided much needed width and nice support with Udogie as cover whenever Dragusin and Gray were on the field. Much of Southampton’s game plan to dominate through the midfield was easily neutralized by the pressuring efforts of Sarr and Bergvall.
Southampton with their 4-3-1-2 formation was always lacking on the wing and exposed. One was unable to provide support to the full backs due to this they were easily overrun on the wide areas hence creation of chances and goals.
Post-Match Reaction
James Maddison (Tottenham): Well done the lads, it was a great show. To be honest, we were motivated by scoring the first goal because it provided the impetus to go on. We all tried our best, and we should have won the match, so the three points were well earned.
Ruben Selles (Southampton Manager): We were second best today especially in the first half. Tottenham took every opportunity which was given to punish, thus we have to learn from this defeat. In the remaining games, we have to be more disciplined and businesslike.
The 5-0 victory at the St. Mary’s Stadium is the perfect start to the season that Tottenham needed to prove a point. Brendan Rodgers then took charge, and the central midfield James Maddison, forward Son Heung-min, and attacking Dejan Kulusevski propelled the Spurs’ free-flowing attack and solid defense. Southampton is seen here as a team with weaknesses in defense and a team that lacks a potent attacking line.
While the Spurs fans feel good about a clean win, Southampton will have to find out their weaknesses and work on them as soon as possible. This is Tottenham news of the week as the Saints condemn themselves to a blunderful day, while Tottenham gears itself up for more victories.
Venue: Southampton FC or formerly Saint Mary’s Church, Southampton
Final Score: Southampton 0-5 Tottenham
Goal Scorers:
– James Maddison (1′, 45+5′)
– Son Heung-min (12′)
– Dejan Kulusevski (14′)
– Pape Matar Sarr (25′)
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