We made a lot of mistakes in possession and in the end the result was fair, says Pochettino
SOUTHAMPTON were left in the Premier League’s bottom three after losing an early lead to draw 1-1 at home to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Despite having gone 10 league games without a win and losing 5-2 at Spurs four weeks ago, Southampton started brightly and deservedly went ahead after quarter of an hour.
Ryan Bertrand overlapped powerfully down the left and from his low cross Tottenham’s Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez diverted the ball past his goalkeeper Michel Vorm, who was deputising for Hugo Lloris.
It took Harry Kane, pictured, barely three minutes to equalise, rising to head in a corner by Ben Davies and register his 99th Premier League goal.
There could have been more goals before halftime in tricky conditions as both defences struggled to adapt.
They were both vulnerable to crosses. Eric Dier hit the post for the visitors after a corner was not cleared and Moussa Sissoko almost deflected in a low centre from Davies.
At the other end Southampton centre-half Jack Stephens was left unmarked but headed over the bar from a fine cross by James Ward-Prowse.
Two Argentine coaches, Mauricio Pellegrino and Mauricio Pochettino, turned to their substitutes’ benches in an attempt to liven up the later stages.
Attacking players Sofiane Boufal and 17 year-old Michael Obafemi, making his league debut, came on for Southampton and Erik Lamela appeared for Spurs, who made the better chances overall.
Lamela was crowded out four metres from goal, Dele Alli went close from 20 metres and Kane, who scored a hat-trick in the win at Christmas, shot across goal, leaving him to wait for his 30th of the season in all competitions.
Obafemi, one of Southampton’s youngest ever players, missed a glorious opportunity, however, when he side-footed wide shortly after coming on.
Tottenham had needed a two-goal win to move into fourth place above Liverpool, who visit Swansea City tonight.
It became a frustrating day for them in the end, Pochettino failing to complete a hat-trick of wins at the ground where he made his name in English football as Southampton manager in the 2013-14 season.
“We made a lot of mistakes in possession and in the end the result was fair,” he said.
Southampton were happy enough with the draw.
“It was an end to end game and we are pleased to come away with a point,” Bertrand said.
“Looking at our remaining fixtures, today was a bonus point on our journey.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to undergo a medical at Premier League rivals Arsenal in the next 48 hours, allowing Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez to seal his move in the other direction, British media reported.
Sanchez missed Arsenal’s 4-1 league win over Crystal Palace with manager Arsene Wenger saying that his long-anticipated departure was dependent on the Armenian agreeing to join the Gunners.
“Sanchez (transfer) will only happen if Mkhitaryan comes. That’s why it takes longer,” the Frenchman said, adding: “I expect it to happen. In the next 48 hours it will be decided.”
Mkhitaryan joined United from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 but appears to have fallen out of favour with manager Jose Mourinho, having not completed a full 90 minutes in the league so far this season. – Reuters LEONARDO CASTRO opened his Kaizer Chiefs’ account in style, with a thunderbolt just 15 minutes into his debut, giving the Glamour Boys their first win over Baroka FC yesterday.
Chiefs’ bench once again helped Amakhosi come from behind to register a win that moved them up into third place on the PSL standings and should give them confidence of ending their barren run under coach Steve Komphela. Five points separate Chiefs and first-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. Amakhosi can cut that lead to two points should they complete a double over the Brazilians on Saturday at FNB Stadium.
Komphela would have been relieved to see Castro finally get his work permit which allowed him to make his debut just after the hour mark. The Colombian striker started on the bench alongside former Baroka midfielder Siphelele Ntshangase in what was a strong bench with Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Dumisani Zuma.
Lucky Nguzana put the hosts ahead with a poacher’s goal. The burly forward timed his run to perfection as he was the quickest to respond after Talent Chawapiwa’s shot hit the post to ricochet towards an empty box which gave Nguzana plenty of room and time to beat Itumeleng Khune.
Baroka started the brighter of the two teams, buoyed by their unbeaten run against Amakhosi which dates back to their days as an amateur side.
Chiefs responded swiftly at the start of the second half. Ryan Moon made it two goals in two games by once again combining with Siphiwe Tshabalala to score the equaliser for Amakhosi against a team from Limpopo.
The 21-year-old forward also levelled matters in the 2-1 win over Rise and Shine.
His goal again opened up the match with both clubs giving as much as they got. Chawapiwa pulled the strings for Baroka, proving a handful for the Chiefs defenders who struggled to contain him. George Maluleka and Ntshangase, after his introduction, dictated terms for Amakhosi in midfield in an entertaining spectacle that gave the thousands who came to Peter Mokaba Stadium value for their money.
Most of those fans were clad in the gold and black of Chiefs. Those fans watched their team finish the last 16 minutes a man down after Joseph Molangoane was given a straight red card for elbowing Khutso Mohwatseleng.
It was an unnecessary sending off for Molangoane who lost his cool which should allow Mphahlele to return to the starting XI against his former team Sundowns.
Chiefs still had enough firepower to get the win even with a man down, as their marquee signing Castro ensured that they returned to Johannesburg with maximum points to continue the good run that has seen them collect 13 points in their last five matches.