Southampton v Tottenham 14/09/96 3.00Southampton (0) 0 Tottenham (0) 1 FT Armstrong 66 (pen) Graeme Souness's new calm is being overstretched by a Southampton side that is becoming suicidal after 18 years in the top flight. After squandering a hatful of chances to give the Dell boss his first victory against a limping Tottenham, Alan Neilson then threw away even the precious point with a reckless arm in the 64th minute. The Welsh international flapped needlessly at Chris Armstrong's cross from the right and gave referee Paul Alcock the simplest of decisions. Saints have predictably nicknamed new Norwegian defender Claus Lundekvam ``Santa'' and it was his present of too much space in an otherwise impressive display that gave Armstrong the room to deliver the ball. The Spurs striker, blunted by an ankle injury, still buried the penalty beyond Dave Beasant's dive into the bottom left-hand corner to give Gerry Francis his first win in five games. Former Liverpool firebrand Souness has now seen his side lose four of their first six games by a single goal and his frustration is mounting. He has injected tremendous desire into the little south coast club and with Spurs missing the totemic presence of Teddy Sheringham as well as Gary Mabbutt, they battled into great positions but could not finish. Ian Walker, moving ever closer to challenging David Seaman for the England No 1 shirt, was in great form, diving at the feet of Jim Magilton and Neilson, and then arching backwards to tip over Neilson's 25-yard pile-driver in the 38th minute. Matthew Le Tissier, playing with renewed authority, probed away despite the cynical attentions of Justin Edinburgh in a simmering feud which produced bookings for both early in the second half. Spurs, in contrast, were toothless, only Andy Sinton's surprise volley taking Beasant by surprise as it whistled into his side netting, while the giant goalkeeper plucked David Howells' attempted lob easily from high above his head. Neil Heaney pounced on Clive Wilson's terrible clearance in the 47th minute but Walker touched his scuffling shot behind at the base of his left-hand post. From the corner, Magilton blazed wildly over when left in space at the far post. But Saints' surely knew they were cursed on the hour. Walker could only parry Charlton's cracking shot from the left and Magilton, on the right, tried to chip the loose ball back inside the far post. Edinburgh, trying to head behind, steered the ball against his own post before it was cleared. Saints desperately tried to retrieve a third home draw, and Le Tissier's great control gave Neil Shipperley an excellent equalising chance in the 77th minute. But he stooped to head over and Neilson was similarly wild with a 25 yard volley in the last three minutes. 
Southampton: Beasant, Neilson, Charlton, Lundekvam, Dryden, Monkou, Magilton (Watkinson, 67), Le Tissier, Slater, Shipperley, Heaney (Oakley, 60). Subs not used: Potter, Hughes, Moss. Booked: Monkou, Le Tissier. Tottenham: Walker, Edinburgh, Howells, Calderwood, Nielsen (Nethercott, 78), Anderton (Rosenthal, 72), Armstrong, Wilson, Campbell, Sinton (Fox, 45), Allen. Subs not used: Baardsen, Carr. Booked: Howells, Edinburgh. Attendance: 15,251. Referee: P E Allcock (Surrey). |
