Southampton scored two goals in the second half, including a sumptuous freekick by James Ward-Prowes to beat Tottenham 2-1 at the Saint Mary’s Stadium.
Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur was one of the six games played simultaneously during the English Premier League’s matchday 30 goal rush.
Spurs came into the game at the back of an impressive outing in Europe, where they eliminated Borussia Dortmund to advance to the quarter finals of the Champions League.
The Saints on the other side, had been winless in their last six home games against Spurs (4 losses, 2 draws) since their return to the EPL in 2012.
The game started off on a very good note for Spurs but Harry Kane squandered four goal scoring chances in the opening 21 minutes. Including when he rattled the bar after trying to make the most of a loose ball.
Two minutes after Kane had hit the bar, Eriksen sent in a direct freekick that also brushed the woodwork on its way out.
It started to seem like a very unlucky day for Mauricio Pochettino’s men until Hary Kane finally broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. Dele Alli dropped a good up-through to Kane, and the World Cup top scorer made no mistake this time around to bury in and give his side the lead.
The first half ended with back and forthes but no end product from both sides.
Tottenham players started off the second half hoping their first half misses don’t hunt them down, but it would appear that Southampton returned wounded and boozing to ensure that would be the exact situation at the end.
The Saints’ manager, Hasenhuttl, made two drastic changes as he brought in two attackers, Sims and Shane Long to carry out his second half tactics.
Sims almost made an immediate impact, had it not been for Lloris who stood up to him and denied Southampton an equalizer.
There were three series of misses from the 50th to the 60th minute of the game. Two from Southampton — Nathan Redmond hitting the side netting twice, and Hojbjerg failing to direct his shot well to get an equalizer — and one from Harry Kane, who continued to disappoint in front of goal despite giving his side the lead.
It would appear that sooner or later, the Saints were going to get a deserved equalizer. It eventually materialized in the 76th when Armstrong — who surprisingly came on for second half substitute, Shane long — set up midfielder, Valery to bring Southampton level in the game. Hesenhuttle’s rash decisions on his team have finally payed off.
Southampton didn’t waste much time more before completing their comeback job to the delight of their fans in the stadium.
Kyle Walter-Peters brought down Nathan Redmond in a direct freekick position, just three minutes after Southampton had gotten their equalizer.
James Ward-Prowes stepped up and sent a very perfect freekick past a helpless Hugo Lloris to not only put Southampton ahead in the game, but secure three points for the Saints, and their first home win against Spurs since their return to Premier League football.
A killer of a freekick it really was, one which can be said to have put Spurs in a very dangerous position, as they might lose their third spot to Manchester United on the league table (going from Title challengers to Top 4 challengers).
