Tottenham Hotspur have spilled very expensive points in the hunt for a Champions League ticket. The team of manager Antonio Conte seemed to win at Southampton after hits from Pedro Porro, Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic, but after a striking penalty kick in injury time it still became 3-3. Due to the draw, the Londoners fail to climb over Manchester United and remain fourth. Southampton remains at the bottom, although the gap to the safe seventeenth place is only two points for the time being.
Southampton had to do without Juan Larios and Valentino Livramento. Trainer Ruben Selles chose Ché Adams as the deepest striker, with Stuart Armstrong in his back. The Scots were served from the sides by Mohamed Elyounoussi (right) and Theo Walcott (left). Captain and free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse took center stage in midfield alongside Roméo Lavia. On the Tottenham side, Arnaut Danjuma had to do as expected with a place on the bench. The Londoners played in the usual 3-4-2-1 formation with Heung-min Son, Richarlison and Kane as front pawns. Porro and Ben Davies had to provide supply from the sides in midfield.
Four substitutions within 36 minutes ?? ???? Richarlison???? Bella Kotchap???? Bednarek ???? Davies https://t.co/g4k4kQyLks#ViaplaySportNL #ViaplayFootball pic.twitter.com/dZBnmaUNcx
— Viaplay Sport Netherlands (@viaplaysportnl) March 18, 2023
Southampton had the first chance of the game. Ché Adams had the ball for the ball after a falling ball, but saw his attempt go wide. The opening phase was then mainly dominated by injuries. Richarlison, Armel Bella-Kotchap had to be replaced within ten minutes, while Jan Bednarek and Davies also had to leave for half time. The Spurs were the parent and that led to two shooting opportunities for Porro, who shot over with his wrong left leg both times. Eric Dier (header wide) and Son (shot just wide) also had opportunities, while Walcott encountered Fraser Forster on behalf of Southampton. In injury time it was still a hit for Tottenham. The completely uncovered Porro was played on his right leg this time and hit the bottom of the crossbar: 0-1.
Southampton is coming???????????? from the changing rooms ???? The team comes alongside 44 seconds into the second half; 1-1 ??https://t.co/g4k4kQyLks#ViaplaySportNL #ViaplayFootball pic.twitter.com/lqq3j5zFZs
— Viaplay Sport Netherlands (@viaplaysportnl) March 18, 2023
The second half was barely two minutes old when the equalizer came. A nice deep pass from Lavia ended up with Walcott, who offered Adams an opportunity not to be missed: 1-1. After an hour of play, Tottenham had a good chance. With four forwards facing just three Southampton defenders, Kane had multiple play options but decided to shoot himself and saw his effort go over. Five minutes later, Kane had his supporters cheering. A cross from Kulusevski landed on the head of the English top striker, who found the short corner: 1-2. Ward-Prowse immediately tried to do something back, but his shot was deflected by Forster.
????????-???????????? ???????? Tottenham Hotspur give away the lead completely and lose two points against Southampton ??#ViaplaySportNL #ViaplayFootball pic.twitter.com/IPOQw61sLr
— Viaplay Sport Netherlands (@viaplaysportnl) March 18, 2023
Fifteen minutes before the end, Tottenham closed the game. A cross from Kulusevski was not optimally cleared, so that substitute Perisic was able to hit the ball nicely: 1-3. Ainsley Maitland-Niles had a beautiful shot immediately afterwards, which was just as beautifully caught by Forster. in the ensuing attack it was a hit for the home team. Walcott was able to tap in completely freely at the penalty spot on a pass from Sékou Mara: 2-3. The equalizer was suddenly very close via Mara, who after a nice feint came up against the excellent goalkeeper Forster. In the closing stages Southampton pressed and after a foul from Pape Sarr they got the Saints a penalty kick. Ward-Prowse got behind the ball and hit it flawlessly: 3-3. Clément Lenglet saw his header go over in minute 99.
| No. | Team | m | W | G | v | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 27 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 66 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 27 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 42 | 61 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 50 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 28 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 49 |
| 5 | Newcastle United | 26 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 20 | 47 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 42 |
| 7 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 25 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 42 |
| 8 | Brentford | 27 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 42 |
| 9 | Fulham | 27 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 39 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 27 | 11 | 5 | 11 | -4 | 38 |
| 11 | Chelsea | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 37 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 27 | 6 | 9 | 12 | -13 | 27 |
| 13 | Wolverhampton W. | 28 | 7 | 6 | 15 | -19 | 27 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 27 | 6 | 8 | 13 | -9 | 26 |
| 15 | Nottingham Forest | 27 | 6 | 8 | 13 | -27 | 26 |
| 16 | Leicester City | 27 | 7 | 4 | 16 | -9 | 25 |
| 17 | Everton | 27 | 6 | 7 | 14 | -18 | 25 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 26 | 6 | 6 | 14 | -10 | 24 |
| 19 | AFC Bournemouth | 27 | 6 | 6 | 15 | -29 | 24 |
| 20 | Southampton | 28 | 6 | 5 | 17 | -23 | 23 |