Hope for Spurs as Sigurdsson Strikes Late

Article by e-Spurs Correspondent Daniel Kirkham

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Gylfi Sigurdsson salvaged a vital three points for Tottenham as they came from behind against Southampton in a thrilling game at White Hart Lane.

Tim Sherwood made five changes from Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Benfica.

Southampton dominated the first half, capitalising on mistakes made by Kyle Naughton. Jay Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 19th minute after a Naughton blunder.

Nine minutes later, Naughton was punished for losing the ball on the edge of the area and Adam Lallana took advantage of a Rickie Lambert pass to finely strike into the corner.

However, Nathaniel Clyne gifted Spurs a goal after failing to clear a cross which Christian Eriksen fired in at the back post.

Eriksen equalised in the opening minute of the second half after linking up with Roberto Soldado, who showed great strength to disposes Dejan Lovren. The striker delivered a low cross that the Dane slotted home from point blank range.

In added time, Sigurdsson drilled a powerful strike into the bottom corner to keep Spurs’ hopes of Champions League football alive. The Saints were stunned as they threw away their 2-0 lead.

Southampton made the early exchanges difficult for the home side as Lallana and Rodriguez both had decent opportunities to take the lead.

The breakthrough goal was a long ball from the back that Naughton misjudged, which fell kindly to Rodriguez to open the scoring. The striker showed composure to slide the ball past Hugo Lloris.

Moments after Nabil Bentaleb shot wide from distance, Naughton swung in a cross that Clyne failed to clear, teeing up Eriksen to smash into the back of the net.

Soldado played Eriksen in before the half but he could only poke it to Artur Boruc, following a challenge from Lovren.

The Spaniard outmuscled Lovren and sent in a cross which Eriksen converted. Soldado proved to be a real nuisance to the Saints’ backline as he helped assist Nacer Chadli, whose shot was fired wide.

The visitors came close to snatching a winner through substitute Gaston Ramirez. Moments later, Lambert had his chance denied.

Then in the second minute of added time, Spurs completed their comeback as Eriksen squared the ball for Sigurdsson to hammer past Boruc.

Qualifying for the Champions League will still be a tough task as fourth-placed Arsenal are six points ahead of their north London rivals in fifth and have a game in hand.

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