MX23RW : Friday, November 22 04:40:25| >> :120:20691:20691:
[monks data]
Southampton logo
Premier League
Apr 25, 2015 at 12.45pm UK
 
Spurs logo

2-2

Pelle (29', 65')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Lamela (43'), Chadli (70')

Tottenham Hotspur cancel out Graziano Pelle double

Tottenham Hotspur cancel out Graziano Pelle's brace to draw 2-2 with Europa League rivals Southampton on Mauricio Pochettino's return to St Mary's Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur twice wiped out Graziano Pelle goals to draw 2-2 with Europa League rivals Southampton on Mauricio Pochettino's return to St Mary's Stadium.

Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli scored for the visitors to earn them a point which keeps them above the Saints and sees them leapfrog Liverpool in the Premier League.

Erik Lamela of Spurs celebrates scoring their first goal with Nacer Chadli and Harry Kane of Spurs during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on April 25, 2015© Getty Images

Ryan Bertrand's cross caused havoc in the Spurs box and Morgan Schneiderlin forced Hugo Lloris into a smart reflex save as Southampton survived a bright Tottenham start to slowly take control of proceedings.

They took the lead on 29 minutes thanks in part to a pair of Tottenham mistakes. Ryan Mason slipped on the edge of his own box and Ben Davies failed to shield the midfielder's rushed back-pass, allowing Pelle to prod beyond the rooted Lloris.

Graziano Pelle of Southampton celebrates scoring the opening goal with Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on April 25, 2015© Getty Images

Steven Davis squandered a chance to double Southampton's lead when he sliced wide when attempting to side-foot Bertrand's cutback, and Spurs soon went up the other end to punish his wasteful effort.

The visitors needed a slice of luck in scoring their 43rd-minute equaliser, though. Eric Dier's inviting cross into the box struck an unaware Lamela on the body and squirmed past goalkeeper Kelvin Davis at the near post.

Midfielder Davis, who is yet to open his league account this season, continued to have a poor day in front of goal as he dragged horribly wide from 18 yards and spooned high after turning his defender early in the second half.

Pelle's finish was far more emphatic when he restored Southampton's lead on 65 minutes. The lively Sadio Mane teed up substitute Shane Long for a first-time cross which the Italian powered home with his head for his third goal in three games and 11th in the league this term.

Southampton's Italian striker Graziano Pelle heads the ball to score his second goal past Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium in © Getty Images

However, Spurs were soon level again as Southampton's division-best defence let them down. Dier slipped a simple ball through for Chadli, who held off the challenge of Maya Yoshida to beat Davis from a tight angle.

Nacer Chadli of Spurs celebrates as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on April 25, 2015© Getty Images

Ronald Koeman's side looked the most likely to snatch all three points in the final minutes and Jose Fonte was their man threat. His first header was blocked by Federico Fazio in front of the line and his second, in the last of seven added minutes, went just over the crossbar.

Although the result sees them remain behind fifth-placed Spurs, the point takes the Saints to their best ever Premier League points total with four games still left to play.

ID:219145: cacheID:219145:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8024:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Graziano Pelle of Southampton celebrates scoring the opening goal with Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on April 25, 2015
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Lamela cancels out Pelle opener
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Steelers
@
Browns
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!