Saints were extremely unlucky to lose as they were often the more dangerous looking outfit today. For long periods it looked more likely that Saints would score and go on to win.
The game began and Saints quickly made their game plan clear for all to see. Our normal high pressing game which gave us room to manouevre the ball around and the first chance of real note fell to Saints on 11 minutes.
A quick counter saw Rickie Lambert send a lofted pass forward to Nathaniel Clyne as he burst through. The pass was perfectly played and Clyne let go a fierce volley that flew narrowly wide of the left post.
The action swung from end-to-end, though chances weren`t as frequent as the game reached the 20 minute mark. The open nature of the contest saw the action swing from end-to-end, though chances weren`t as frequent as the game reached the 20 minute mark. Artur Boruc skilfully got the better of Mousa Dembele inside the area to keep Spurs at bay.
As the half went by it was clear that Saints were getting Spurs stars rattled. Nothing clear cut was going their way and the next real chance again fell to Saints.
Dembele brought down Rodriguez and in doing so picked up an imjury which forced him off. Lewis Holtby came on as Rickie Lambert lined up ready to fire one of his bullets.
He hit the ball round the wall forcing Hugo Lloris into a full length finger tip diving save which he managed by pushing the ball onto the post. The ball rebounded awkwardly to Guly do Prado who clipped a cross back across goal to Steve Davis. With the goal beckoning he tamely headed the ball straight at Lloris who comfortably held on to the ball.
HT 0-0.
After the restart Gareth Bale struck the crossbar with a firce rising shot but was flagged offside. Then Adam Lallana beat Michael Dawson before tamely sending a shot in which was easy for LLoris to collect.
Emmanuel Adebayor came on with 30 minutes remaining, replacing Jermaine Defoe. Then after taking a knock Guly was replaced with Emmanuel Mayuka.
With the football open and end to end the second half was more even but the better chances, though not clear cut, were still being made by Saints as they continued to stand firm.
With the game reaching the final stages it was looking as though neither side would break the ice. The truth of the matter was that it had to be an ex Saint that broke our hearts. On 85 minutes Gareth Bale, who else, made the decisive breakthrough.
Picking up the ball out on the right he cut inside left back Luke Shaw and then let fly a ferocious shot which flew past Artur boruc into the net.
Spurs fans were relieved and the game ended with Saints regreting the missed opportunities that had been scorned.
FT 1-0.
Manager Rating
Mauricio Pochettino 7
Had our team ready to bust a gut for him and was unlucky to see us end with no points.
Opponent Rating
AVB 6
His team got out of jail thanks to a moment of pure class from Gareth Bale.