Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Southampton
Spurs started their Premier League season with an emphatic 4-1 victory against Southampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
There was a carnival atmosphere in N17 with fans enjoying the warm weather, a productive transfer window and the clubs first Saturday 3pm home in two years.
However, the mood was punctured when James Ward Prowse- often Spurs nemesis- fired Saints into an early lead in the 12th minute.
Moussa Djenepo got the better of Emerson Royal on the left-hand side before cutting back to Ward Prowse on the edge on the area. His half volley left Hugo Lloris with no chance.
While the early goal may have sent shockwaves through the home support, it wasn’t the case for the players. Spurs nearly created openings on several occasions before finally finding a breakthrough on the 21st minute.
Dejan Kulusevski produced a wonderful cross from the right-hand side which was headed home by Ryan Sessegnon.
Tottenham were now on the ascendency and 10 minutes later they were in the lead. Heung Min-Son swung in a cross from the left-hand side which was glanced into the net by Eric Dier. The goal was his first since May 2019.
Spurs were now in total control and created further chances from Son, Ben Davies, and Harry Kane. However, Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu ensured that his team went into half time only 2-1 down.
The second half began with Southampton attempting to limit the opponents time on the ball. However, the Southampton defence shot themselves in the foot on the hour mark.
Emerson Royal was allowed to casually run into the left-hand side of the area. His weak cross along the six-yard box was comically turned into his own net by Mohammed Salisu to put Spurs 3-1 up.
Then, two minutes later, Tottenham put the game to beyond doubt. Royal got behind the Southampton defence again before playing in Kulusevski. Kulusevski then curled his shot past the Southampton keeper to make it 4-1.
Tottenham remained in complete control for the remaining 25 minutes with Southampton defending deep to prevent anymore damage.
Antonio Conte told BBC Sport after the game Antonio Conte told BBC Sport
"We won three important points, but the most important thing was the way we got three points - with really good football, with the ball, without the ball, with important pressure," said Conte. "The way we decided to win the ball after we lost it was another important aspect.”
"We are working to implement football knowledge over the last season. We have seen this team has seven months of work on its back."
In the end it was an easy start to the campaign for Tottenham. It was especially pleasing that result came off the back of quiet performances from Son and Kane.
In recent years Spurs have been overly reliant on the two. It is perhaps a sign that this team can now win games convincingly even if their two talismans aren’t firing.
Spurs now travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea next Sunday. The game should provide a clue into how far Spurs have really come.
LINEUPS: TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Emerson, Sessegnon, Bentacur, Hojbjerg, Kulusevski, Son, Kane SOUTHAMPTON: Bazunu, Djenepo, Salisu, Bednarek, Valery, Walker-Peters, Romeu, Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Aribo.
