/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49546593/GettyImages-529104532.0.jpg)
Let me preface this all by saying that I picked Southampton to win 2-1, so you should all come to me for predictions. I am kidding about that last part, but seriously, there was a sense of optimism in the build-up to this match. And why wouldn't there be? Saints were coming off of a dominating performance over Manchester City, Tottenham is out of the title fight, and Virgil Van Dijk, Saints best player this season, signed a new contract.
A lot has been going very well for Southampton Football Club recently, and this game would only add to their recent success. To the match!
Things didn't start off so well for Southampton. Early on, Dusan Tadic missed Steven Davis on a run, which more than likely would've put Saints 1-0 up. Spurs enjoyed a lot of the early possession as well.
Tottenham opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Heung-Min Son. Originally, Erik Lamela looked to have played a ball through to Harry Kane, who was offside. However, Kane stopped on the play and everyone else seemed to stop as well, that is until Son blazed through the defense to retrieve the ball. Son then dribbled around an off-guard Fraser Forster, where Son then tapped the ball in.
From there, Saints seemed to realize that an equalizer before half would be necessary, and they got one through the man of the day, Steven Davis.
A brilliantly placed ball from Cuco Martina, almost mirroring his ball to Dusan Tadic last week, found the Serbian once again. Tadic then took one touch, turned, and sent a quick pass to Steven Davis who was near-post, and slotted it home.
Just before half, Spurs did have a huge chance to go up 2-1, when Harry Kane beat Jose Fonte on the left-side of the box, dribble towards goal and shot, but was blocked by Forster.
Most of the second half was spent on either side of the pitch, with both teams looking for big opportunities. However, nothing would come until Steven Davis added a second on a well-worked goal in the 70th minute.
Davis teamed with Dusan Tadic once again on a quick one-two play, Davis out dribbled one more defender and then slotted home into the low-right corner of the net to make it 2-1.
For the final 25 minutes, Spurs and Saints each shared a few chances, none finding the back of the net though.
And that was the final. Southampton had finally beaten Tottenham Hotspur, and at White Hart Lane nonetheless. The win gave a huge boost to Saints' Europa League chances.
Their final game is at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday against Crystal Palace.
Buckle up folks, it's going to be fun!