- Kane, Alli net just before half time
- Spurs first win in four
- Saints winless in five
- 2 goals in 5 games for Saints
Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways on Saturday as they beat Southampton 2-0 at St Mary’s.
Goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli just before the break did the damage as Saints failed to capitalize on their chances once again as their dramatic slump continues.
With the victory Spurs move into the top four, while Saints are just seven points off the relegation zone.
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Southampton started the game extremely brightly with Sadio Mane denied on three occasions with blocks from Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and then forcing a terrific low save from Hugo Lloris.
The home side were made to pay for their slack finishing as Spurs turned up the heat and struck twice before half time.
Kane grabbed the first goal as he danced past three Southampton challenges and then coolly slotted past Paulo Gazzaniga. 1-0 to Spurs.
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Just three minutes later it was 2-0 as Kyle Walker was given way too much time on the right flank and picked out Alli at the back post to tap home after losing Cedric.
2:50 - Just two mins & 50 secs were between Dele Alli assisting Harry Kane's goal & scoring the second himself versus Southampton. Quickfire
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 19, 2015
2-0 and Spurs were cruising.
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At the start of the second half Southampton came flying out of the traps with Graziano Pelle sending a header just wide of the post but the longer the game went on, the more comfortable Spurs seemed.
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Saints went close through James Ward-Prowse but Lloris produced a superb save as Mauricio Pochettino’s side move into the top four with a win and Ronald Koeman’s pained expression said it all as Southampton’s slump continues.