Spurs suffer top four blow after thrilling draw at Southampton

Southampton scored twice in the last 15 minutes as they came back from 3-1 down to hold Tottenham Hotspur to a three-all draw at St Mary’s stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Antonio Conte’s side looked destined to hold on for three crucial points, but the Saints pushed on to claw their way back and earn a huge point in their quest to avoid the drop at the end of the season.

first half plagued with injuries

Neither side garnered any momentum in the first half, as four players had to come off due to injuries. Tottenham lost Richarlison after just five minutes, while the home side’s central defensive pair Armel Bella-Kotchap and Jan Bednarek also had to leave the field due to injury.

Ben Davies, too, left the game in the 37^th minute as Spurs lost their key left back.

Despite the injuries to either side, Tottenham took the lead in first-half stoppage time when new January signing Pedro Porro scored his first goal for the London side.

The Spanish winger lashed a ferocious effort into the roof of the net after being played on by a fine pass from Son Heung-min.

The hosts responded instantly after the break when former Arsenal player Theo Walcott brilliantly set up Che Adams with a fine cross which the latter poked home from close range.

It was all Tottenham from that point.

Harry Kane gave his side the lead with a towering header in the 65^th minute following a pinpoint cross from Dejan Kulusevski.

Nine minutes later, it was 3-1 to the visitors when substitute Ivan Perisic slotted home with a wonderful volley past Southampton keeper Gavin Bazunu.

SAINTS COMPLETE WONDERFUL COMEBACK

The bottom-placed Saints refused to give up without a fight when Walcott swept home in the 77th minute to half the deficit. It was then deep into stoppage time when the hosts were awarded a penalty following a rash challenge from Pape Matar Sarr on Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

VAR was consulted to confirm the on-field penalty decision from the referee as James Word Prowse stepped up to make it 3-3 for a crazy end to the game that lasted almost till the hundredth minute.

The result is a huge blow for Conte’s side as they failed to hold on for the three points. The north London side sit fourth with 49 points with Newcastle breathing down their neck.

Spurs still hold a two-point advantage, but that could be soon wiped out as they played two extra games.

Photo Credit: Imago / PA Images