Match Report

IBO Reporter : channonite

For one night only, Kelvin Davis was caretaker manager of Southampton Football Club. Unfortunately all the old failings in defence were only too apparent and Spurs cantered to an easy win. Having said that, Charlie Austin scored a late consolation goal and various Saints players hit the woodwork, or were denied by Lloris in the Tottenham goal. It was just that the defence kept gifting chances like it was already Christmas. Ralph Hasenhüttl was watching from the stands, as he was not due to start his new role until the next morning, but there was already plenty for him to ponder on.

I was surprised to see how sparse the crowd of just over 33,000 looked in the wide open spaces of Wembley and how Spurs must be wishing that their new ground were ready.

Kelvin had a few difficult decisions to make, with Ings, Bertrand, Long and Obafemi all out injured and Lemina suspended. Back in from the cold came Stephen Davis, together with James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett.

Almost immediately there was a let off for Saints, when Son hit the base of McCarthy's post and cannoned off McCarthy back into play. It was no surprise when after nine minutes Kane tapped in a straightforward chance, after an error by Yoshida, who was caught watching the ball. Our defence looking as strong as tissue paper again.

Saints midfield and forward line went on put the Tottenham defence under pressure and it actually looked as if the team in red might score. All the time though, you felt that Spurs looked as though they were easily capable of stepping up a couple of gears. The best of the first half chances for Saints fell to Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who shot from 25 yards out and drew a great save from Hugo Lloris.

So we got to half time, with the score only 1-0 to Tottenham and Saints had looked a threat going forward, so there was a definite feeling that we might nick something here. I concede that the home team.

The second half quickly set the tone for the remainder of the match, with two quick fire goals for Tottenham in the space of four minutes for Moura and Son (put like that, it sounds like a firm of North London scrap dealers!). With the score at 3-0 there was the distinct feeling that even if Saints did score, the home team would simply step up their game to score again. To their credit (although Hasenhüttl was a bit dismissive afterwards) the away side did begin to play some nice football and twice the Spurs woodwork was rattled and Lloris was kept busy in the Tottenham goal.

It just seemed like one of those days where no matter how long they kept going, Saints were just destined not to score. just when I had given up hope and deep into time added on, Charlie Austin, on for Gabbiadini late in the game, beat the off side trap and scored a deserved consolation goal.

Conclusion

Saints were well beaten, but with Ralph Hasenhüttl watching from the stands the new manager would have seen exactly what is right and wrong with the side at the moment. Saints look good going forward, but are just paper thin at the back and the defence just completely lacks confidence. Opposition know that they don't have to put too much pressure on and we will crack.

So, although it was a bit of a depressing defeat, hopefully this is as bad as it gets and Hasenhüttl will drag the underperforming team up the table. The real work starts at Cardiff in the next League match.