NAN-S-15
Draw
Abuja, Jan. 21, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Southampton were left in the English Premier League’s bottom three after losing an early lead to draw 1-1 at home to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
In spite of having gone 10 league games without a win and losing 2-5 at Spurs four weeks ago, Southampton started brightly and deservedly went ahead after 15 minutes.
Ryan Bertrand overlapped powerfully down the left and from his low cross Tottenham’s Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez scored an own goal.
He diverted the ball past his goalkeeper Michel Vorm, who was deputising for Hugo Lloris.
It took Harry Kane barely three minutes to equalise, rising to head in a corner by Ben Davies and register his 99th Premier League goal.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino in his post-match reaction, noted that his team’s performance was below average, adding however that Southampton were a difficult opponent.
“The game was even, we had more possession but we needed to be more aggressive and create more chances. The performance wasn’t great but the pitch didn’t help.
“You must give credit to the opponent, but I am not happy with our performance.
“It is temporary that Southampton are in the relegation zone. For sure they will push up the table.
“This is two points we are going to miss at the end of the season, because it is so tough between six or seven teams.’’
On possible transfer window business, Pochettino said: “It is not easy to add a player who can help for three months. It is very difficult. For some clubs it is easier, but it is not easy for us.”
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino praised his team for their commitment on the pitch and was optimistic that his team would move out of the relegation zone with more of such performances.
“We have to continue in this way, the spirit and the commitment on the pitch was very good. Against these types of team you can lose in a minute, everything can change but we were there until the end.
“We are in trouble in the table but in three or four weeks it can change. Between 10 or 11 teams there are just a few points and that will stay the same,” he said.(Reuters/NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)