Tottenham Hotspur won their first Premier League game since the sacking of former manager Andre Villas Boas, in a topsy turvy 3-2 victory away against Southampton, at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.
Under the guidance of caretaker manager Tim Sherwood, the Lilywhites came from behind in a tightly contestred fixture, with Emmanuel Adebayor being the saviour, after scoring twice to give a managerless Tottenham all three points.
Tottenham, who sacked Villas Boas on Monday morning, fell behind early on after a well taken goal from Adam Lallana, who scored with a dipping effort from around 25 yards.
After a spell of pressure, Spurs were level, after Emmanuel Adebayor profited from a defensive mix up between Danny Fox and Jos Hooiveld, the lanky Togolease forward scored an emphatic close range volley, past the reach of stand in keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who failed to reach the volley.
Rickie Lambert then had the chance to score for the Saints, but he saw his rasping drive well saved by Hugo Lloris, as the Saints preessed a high attacking line.
But Adebayor was looking sharp, and saw his looping header tipped over the bar by Gazzaniga, who is deputising for the injured Artur Boruc.
After a rather tight first half, the London club stepped up a gear after half time, and that pressure was rewarded after Danny Rose skipped down the wing, before producing a pinpoint ball into the area, the cross was met by Southampton defender Jos Hooiveld, who scored an unfortunate own goal past his own goalkeeper, as Tottenham took the lead.
Southampton woke up after the own goal, with Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert both missing chances to level the game, Spurs could have had a third, as Roberto Soldado missed the target.
Southampton were level moments after, as Hugo Lloris was caught off his line, with Danny Osvaldo squaring to Lambert, who tapped into an empty net to level the game once again.
Spurs pressed for the winner, and found it in the 64th minute, as Emmanuel Adebayor found space after recieving the ball from Eriksen, before turning fox and firing past Gazzaniga into the bottom corner grom a tight angle.
Southampton pressed late on, but Tim Sherwood’s side hung on to claim an important victory.
In his post match press conference Tottenham interim head coach Tim Sherwood stated:
“You enjoy it when you win. I did not enjoy the first half, I thought we were poor. “In the second half they took it on. We showed we have real quality. Emmanuel Adebayor has not been playing, so he did not require much motivating. You put him back in because of what he has done in history.”
Two goal hero Emmanuel Adebayor stated in his interview….
I have been working very hard. I want to thank all my team-mates, they have been there for me. “I am very happy for the new manager. First day he told me to ‘get out there and play football, you know how to do it because of the clubs you have played for’. “All 2013 has been very tough. My brother passed away, it was emotionally difficult. “Everything I did today is for him and his son. My father told me to always work hard, and that paid off today.”
A good win for Tottenham then.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
