Tottenham Hotspur secured their first Premier League win of the new season in an emphatic fashion, registering a 5-2 win over Southampton. The Lilywhites were struggling to dominate the proceedings in the first half, but a second-half onslaught from Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane was enough to disintegrate the entire Saints’ backline, with the former, in particular, scoring four goals.
Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings Vs Southampton
Hugo Lloris 8/10
Tottenham may have been unstoppable in the second half, but it was Hugo Lloris’ heroic performance in the first-half that saved his side’s blushes. Indeed, the Frenchman made a few astonishing saves, including one effort from Che Adams from close range, thus preventing Southampton from extending their tally.
Matt Doherty 6/10
Matt Doherty got utterly exposed at the back by Moussa Djenepo in the first-half. The ex-Wolves star was poor defensively and is finding it challenging to integrate himself into Mourinho’s back-four system.
Davinson Sanchez 6/10
Starting ahead of Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez had a bad game at centre-back. He was beaten way too easily, at times, and struggled to keep up with his markers as always. Had a relatively quieter time in the second half.
Eric Dier 7.5/10
Eric Dier may have done a little better in keeping up with Ings for Southampton’s first goal. However, his accurate passes out from the back were a joy to watch, as one of them notably opened up the Southampton defence, though the eventual goal from Harry Kane was ruled out due to offside.
Ben Davies 7.5/10
Ben Davies had a decent game on the left flank, providing himself useful with his defensive contributions. He was overall composed and dealt well with the pressure of Spurs signing a new left-back in Sergio Reguillon.
Harry Winks 6.5/10
Operated in the deepest role in the three-man Spurs midfield. The Englishman was tidy with his passes, which was useful in the second-half as Tottenham dominated possession.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 6.5/10
Nothing extraordinary from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg against his former club this afternoon. The Dane kept things simple in midfield, trying to prevent the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu from dominating the game.
Tanguy Ndombele 6.5/10
It was a mixed game for Tanguy Ndombele. The Frenchman couldn’t make a telling difference, but it was his brilliant turn and pass that unlocked the Southampton defence deep in the first-half as the move eventually led to the equaliser. Subbed off at half-time.
Lucas Moura 6/10
Provided very little to the table as Tottenham Hotspur failed to trouble the Southampton defence from the right flank. He was rightfully subbed in the second half.
Son Heung-Min 10/10
A masterful display from Son Heung-Min, who looked sharp right from the beginning. The South Korean international created a plethora of opportunities throughout the game, but it was his majestic runs in behind the backline that completely caught Southampton’s defensive line. Son was clinical with his finishing, so the four goals he scored today were completely deserved.
Harry Kane 9.5/10
Much like Son, Kane was another spark in the Tottenham Hotspur attack, notably scoring two offside goals before netting a legitimate one late in the game. However, it was his phenomenal vision and connection with Son that caught the eye as the Englishman provided the assist for all of his partner’s goals. As a result, he became the first Premier League player since Emmanuel Adebayor in 2012, to clinch four assists in a single game.
SUBSTITUTES
Giovani Lo Celso 7/10
Replaced Ndombele in the second half, providing the creative essence that was missing. He wasn’t particularly clinical with his passes, but the Argentine’s smart through balls did unlock the Southampton defence on multiple occasions.
Erik Lamela 7/10
Came on for Lucas during the hour-mark as Mourinho opted for more energy going forward. Lamela provided just that and was even unlucky not to score a goal as his effort hit the post, eventually finding its way to Kane for the fifth.
Steven Bergwijn N/A
A late replacement for Kane.
