Bottom club Southampton were booed off after suffering another chastening Premier League defeat as Tottenham left St Mary’s with three points after a thumping 5-0 win.
Russell Martin’s side have now lost five of their last six games and 13 of their 16 games since promotion back to the top flight in the summer. They are stuck in 20th, already nine points from safety.
In his programme notes, Martin had called on Saints fans to “keep believing” in his players despite the predicament they currently find themselves in. Any effect those words might have had on supporters was rapidly eradicated.
With just 36 seconds on the clock, James Maddison swept the opener after Djed Spence easily brought the ball forward through the middle of the park. It was the earliest Saints had conceded in the Premier League since November 2013.
James Maddison celebrates with his team-mates after putting Spurs 5-0 up at St Mary’s
It was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Heung-Min Son slotted home after Jan Bednarek’s poor header, and 3-0 two minutes later, with Son turning provider for Dejan Kulusevski to turn the ball home from close range.
That was enough for the home fans to direct their frustrations towards Martin, but the fourth from Pape Sarr – following abysmal defending in the 25th minute – sparked a mass exodus from St Mary’s. It was the earliest Tottenham had led by four goals in a Premier League game.
A dejected Russell Martin paces the touchline as his Southampton side fall 4-0 down to Spurs
Martin trudged down the tunnel before the half-time whistle and not only missed the intense boos from the home fans that greeted it, but Maddison’s second of the evening, from the tightest of angles.
There was no such intensity in the second half. In fact, Spurs only attempted a single shot in the second half, with Son, Maddison and Dominic Solanke withdrawn with one eye on Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports.
Thursday 19th December 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
Southampton did try to reduce the deficit, with Tyler Dibling arguably their biggest threat. Mateus Fernandes headed in late on, but knew he had strayed offside immediately. Ultimately, they could do nothing to take the gloss off; the job was already done.
Ramsdale: I feel very sorry for Martin
Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale speaking to TNT Sports:
“A difficult one. The early goal sucker-punched us and we just never recovered.
“Give the credit to Tottenham – James Maddison player of the match.
“Tonight’s a real difficult one for us to take.
On Russell Martin: “I feel very sorry for him. I think the lads are still trying for him. I don’t think there’s any question of anything on Russell Martin.
“The fans do deserve better and they’re sticking with us, and it’s one we have to move on very quickly ahead of Wednesday.”
