Southampton continued their search for a first league win of the season against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey saw Spurs race into a commanding lead at the break following a disappointing first half performance from the hosts.
A Jay Rodriguez goal gave the Saints hope after the interval but Spurs managed to survive to claim the three points and move to fourth in the table.
Read how the drama unfolded below.
Afternoon all, this is a big match for both sides today but for very different reasons. We'll start with the team news.
Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Schneiderlin, Fonte, Lambert, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Fox, Lallana (c), Puncheon
Spurs: Friedel, Walker, Gallas (c), Caulker, Vertoghen, Sandro, Huddlestone, Dempsey, Lennon, Bale, Defoe
And these are today's benches - Southampton: K. Davis, Hooiveld, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Mayuka, Chaplow, Reeves
Spurs: Lloris, Naughton, Dawson, Sigurdsson, Falque, Livermore, Townsend
Spurs: Lloris, Naughton, Dawson, Sigurdsson, Falque, Livermore, Townsend
I have a feeling that Rickie Lambert's return to the Saints team may be a popular call with a lot of the club's supporters. He'll be a big challenge for the Spurs defenders today.
Villas-Boas welcomes back Gareth bale following the birth of the winger's first child. Spurs missed him against Chelsea and in Slovenia during the week and he'll be desperate to impress against his old club.
It's a difficult task for the Saints today but they need to win. Remember, they are yet to win in the league this season.
A victory for Spurs will see them climb above Arsenal and into fourth place. However, the top three already look set to leave the rest of their rivals behind.
There has been suggestions that Adkins could be under pressure if Southampton's poor run lasts for much longer. I'm not sure if a new manager would be the wisest decision from the club, though.
Artur Boruc is the third goalkeeper Southampton have used this season and he didn't really cover himself in glory against Southampton last week. Plenty of problems at the back for the Saints but expect a performance from them today.
Plenty of action in the Premier League today, Liam Apicella is currently commentating on a thrilling Merseyside derby. For more, click here - Everton vs. Liverpool
Preparations are almost complete at St Mary's. The players have finished their warm-ups and we're 10 minutes away from kick-off.
Remember, only a win would see Southampton climb out of the relegation zone.
Both teams are now coming out of the tunnel, it's a big match and we'll cover all the action for you over the next couple of hours.
Southampton get the match underway.
The hosts are on the attack immediately but Rodriguez is stopped by an offside flag.
Bale runs at Clyne for the first time this afternoon but the Saints defender does well to take the ball from the Welsh winger.
Chance! A mistimed header finds its way to Lennon at the back post and his scuffed effort trickles past Boruc's goal
Atmosphere is a bit special at St Mary's today. The home side are beginning to enjoy some good possession.
Spurs give away the ball in midfield but Lallana chooses to pick out an offside Lambert instead of delivering a pass to Clyne on the right side of midfield.
Bale gets the better of Clyne on the left but unusually for the Welshman, his cross is poor and the attack breaks down.
A free-kick causes trouble for Southampton but Hooiveld eventually does enough to clear the danger.
Despite plenty of encouragement from the home crowd, Southampton are struggling to find a way through Spurs. The visitors look happy to play the patient game.
Chance! Superb football from Spurs as Lennon releases Walker on the right wing but the defender's cut back is fired wide by Defoe. It's a chance you would certainly expect the striker to take.
Goal! Southampton 0-1 Spurs (Bale)
Huddlestone is allowed too much time on the ball and his cross finds Bale, who beats Boruc with a superbly direct header into the bottom corner. Muted celebrations from Bale but it is Spurs who make the breakthrough.
The visiting supporters are definitely the louder inside the stadium. Spurs looking relaxed now and Saints can't afford to concede again.
Southampton enjoy some good possession on the edge of Tottenham's area but Lallana's cross doesn't quite reach Lambert and Friedel collects the ball easily.
Lambert drops deep to collect the ball and he sets his sights on goal but the shot is weak and it's no trouble for Friedel.
Chance! Bale's cross goes out for a corner and he then finds space from the set-piece but can't quite hit the target with the header.
Southampton are doing well to stop Tottenham's attacks but they are wasting the ball before they can trouble the visiting defence. A Lennon cut back finds Defoe but the striker is once again wayward with his shot.
Spurs looking very comfortable in possession, they'll need a second goal though. Home crowd beginning to sound frustrated.
Sandro gives away a free-kick for a foul on Davis in midfield but Fox's delivery is poor and Vertonghen heads clear.
A deep ball nearly presents a chance for Defoe on the edge of the area but the flag is up for offside against Dempsey.
Jeers from the Saints supporters when Walker goes down under a challenge from Lallana. It's poor from the referee because Walker had simply lost control of the ball.
Goal! Southampton 0-2 Spurs (Dempsey)
Spurs break in numbers and Lennon releases Defoe. The striker beats Boruc but Fonte clears the ball off the line, however, Dempsey is free to finish easily from a couple of yards out.
Tottenham look dangerous every time they attack now but poor control from Dempsey ends a promising move on the edge of the area.
It's the best move of the game from Southampton as Clyne attacks down the right but Caulker does well to head the ball clear before Lambert can convert.
Half-time: It's the end of the first half at St Mary's and Spurs have been in complete control. Dempsey's goal was important for Villas-Boas's side and it looks like a long way back for Southampton.
Defoe definitely not on top form so far today so Saints might consider themselves slightly fortunate to only be two behind. The England forward has missed a couple of great chances while the Saints have barely had a sniff at the other end.
Adkins has a big job on his hands now, a fast start is needed for the Saints after the break but in truth, they've barely been in the game so far.
We're a couple of minutes away from the restart at St Mary's.
Both sides are back out on the pitch and it will be Spurs who get the second half underway.
Southampton start positively and Lambert looked to try and release Lallana but Caulker made up the ground to clear the danger.
Defoe's frustrating afternoon continues when he manages to hit the scoreboard at St Mary's with a wayward effort from 12 yards out.
Southampton have their first shot at goal and it's close for the hosts. Vertonghen's header is only as far as Puncheon and the forward volleys wide of Friedel's goal.
Gallas hasn't been troubled by Lambert, yet. Southampton need to be positive but the Spurs defence are easily dealing with the direct balls towards their talisman.
The hosts enjoy a long spell of possession but it ends when Fox smashes his shot over the crossbar from 25 yards.
Chance! Lennon's pace threatens the Saint defence again as he cuts inside before teeing up Walker on the right side of the box but the full back fires his effort wide of the near post.
Spurs have settled following Southampton's good start to this second half. A third goal would kill this game off.
Dempsey cuts in from the left and finds Huddlestone but the midfielder is off balance and miscues his shot wide.
Emmanuel Mayuka replaces Puncheon for the hosts and he's involved immediately but a cross from Clyne is punched clear by Friedel.
Chance! Lambert drifts out to the right and delivers a nice cross that Rodriguez heads just wide from the penalty spot.
Gallas is currently down receiving treatment but it's unclear what the problem is.
Jake Livermore comes on for Spurs to replace Huddlestone and Gallas looks like he will continue.
First yellow card of the game goes to Sandro for a late challenge on Davis and the Saints have a free kick from 30 yards out.
Fox delivers a superb cross from the set-piece and Friedel doesn't deal with it but Yoshida can't poke home from a couple of yards out.
Southampton 1-2 Spurs (Rodriguez)
Game on! Spurs struggle to deal with a Southampton corner and Rodriguez does well to finish with an effort from close range.
Chance! It's a different contest as Saints come close to an equaliser. A cross is flicked on by Lambert but Rodriguez fires just wide with a half volley.
Chance! Southampton need to score while they are on top. The ball finds its way to Lambert at the near post but Gallas recovers brilliantly to block the striker's shot.
Defoe collects the ball in midfield and breaks at pace but Yoshida is there to make a last ditch tackle before the striker is able to shoot.
Spurs are getting frustrated in attacking areas. The ball finds Walker on the wing but his cross is easy pickings for Boruc. Vertonghen is then booked for a foul on Mayuka and Saints have a free-kick in a dangerous area.
The set-piece is initially cleared by Spurs but Southampton regain possession and Gallas is forced to make a crucial clearance following some impressive work from Lallana.
Defoe's had a poor day in front of goal and he is replaced by Sigurdsson. Dempsey will now become the lone striker with the Icelandic midfielder providing support. The hosts make a double substitution with Guly do Prado and Ben Reeves replacing Ben Fox and Steven Davis.
Southampton send their big players forward but a free-kick from Lallana is poor and Friedel easily collects the ball.
Sandro clears yet another Southampton free kick with Spurs looking slightly rattled as they aim to hold on.
The match is starting to get a little scrappy as wen enter the final stages.
Spurs threaten when they win a corner through a blocked Sigurdsson shot. Bale beats Clyne on the wing but he over runs the ball and Saints clear.
Southampton turning the screw here but Sandro produces a superb block to keep out Schneiderlin's powerful effort, four minutes added time.
Livermore is booked while trying to steal the ball in Southampton's half. Dawson comes on for Dempsey as Spurs look to secure the three points.
Full-time: The hosts can;t find an equaliser despite plenty of pressure in stoppage time. Spurs hold on for the three points and they move into fourth place.
It all looked so easy for Spurs in the first half but they were nearly punished for not killing the game off. Villas-Boas will not have enjoyed his side's performance in the second half but the result is all that matters now.
Adkins will have to wait for a bit longer for his team's first win in the league this season. An awful beginning to the game cost the hosts in truth.
That's all from me this afternoon, I hope you've enjoyed the coverage of today's contest.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
