Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw by Mauricio Pellegrino’s Southampton at the St. Mary’s and a draw means that Spurs failed to close down the gap between them and 4th-placed Liverpool, who are yet to play this weekend.
Heading into the game on the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Everton, a certain Southampton defence proved to be a tough nut to crack despite Spurs managing 12 shots during the game. Southampton, who played a 2-2 draw against Watford in their previous Premier League fixture, looked promising since the first whistle. Their efforts were equally rewarded when Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez pulled Ryan Bertrand’s cross into his own net.
Tottenham responded firmly and almost got their equaliser but Eric Dier was denied by the frame of the post. The Lilywhites, however, secured the equaliser just four minutes after the opener and it was that man again, Harry Kane, who gave Tottenham the bright light. Scoring his 21st Premier League goal of the season, Kane headed home from Ben Davies’ inch-perfect corner.
Meanwhile, Moussa Sissoko was given a glorious opportunity of getting his side right back into the game after Ben Davies had delivered a brilliant ball into the area. However, the France international, who only had to tap the ball in, spurned the chance and his reaction to the miss said it all. For Southampton, Jack Stephens came the closest to give his side a lead but the defender’s header sailed way off the post.
Tottenham then tried threatening Southampton and it was Erik Lamela who became the centre-piece but the Argentine’s goal-bound effort was blocked by Stephens. Southampton, in search of a winner, introduced 17-year-old debutant Michael Obafemi and the youngster almost had a dream start to his new career but he failed to direct the ball from Dusan Tadic’s low cross into the net. With the result, Southampton are now without a win in 11 Premier League fixtures.
Furthermore, as far as Pochettino is concerned, the Argentine was without star men Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris, both of whom missed the game due to illness. To cover it up, Pochettino decided to go with Moussa Sissoko and the France international did not just miss a glorious opportunity but also failed poorly in doing his defensive duties.
Take the first goal for instance; as Ryan Bertrand was making his foray down the right-hand channel, it was Sissoko’s job to cover the flank but he was nowhere to be seen and this questioned Pochettino’s decision to use the Frenchman over Erik Lamela. This is how the fans reacted to Sissoko’s performance:
Convinced that Sissoko has a sex-tape of Poch and Lamela.
— Ethan (@EriksensuaI) January 21, 2018
Eriksen out, so why isn’t Lamela starting over Sissoko? I don’t really rate him but surely he’s better than starting an actual spastic
— Gareth (@ClinicaIKane) January 21, 2018
Save us from Sissoko, Chinese Super League. You’re our only hope.
— Jake. (@YedIin) January 21, 2018
Any team that starts Sissoko when they dont need to. Deserves everything they get. Bye Bye Top 4
— Del♊ (@spurs683) January 21, 2018
When Poch says “I’m happy with my squad” I wanna tear my skin off coz it’s blatantly not true, you can’t be happy with Aurier, Sissoko, Lamela, Llorente it’s just impossible they’re all donkeys
— Hoggy (@TheHoggy) January 21, 2018
I really don’t see what skill Sissoko has exactly that Onomah doesn’t, and I’m not that high on Onomah rn. I swear to fucking god you’ll get more out of KWP at RW.
— Broadway Danny Rose (@king26ledley) January 21, 2018
SISSOKO PLEASE PLEASE LEAVE THE CLUB
— Alfie Tattam (@Tattalf29) January 21, 2018
Sissoko must be the worlds best footballer in training, another 90 mins under his belt
— Graham Grantham (@GedgeNation) January 21, 2018
Taking son off for Lamela instead of sissoko is shocking
— aaron keaney (@aaron_keaney) January 21, 2018
I backed Poch against West Ham. Thought I was right…but today was a joke. Sissoko is rubbish. Dier is a fraud most games. Alli was wank. But takes off Son first? how long did it take? Why is Lamela stuck on the bench? All players & the management are at fault today. Pathetic.
— D A N (@DannyJamesEarls) January 21, 2018
Sissoko is soooo bad. Tottenham paid 30 mill for him
— Rudy (@ImThatGuy_Lp) January 21, 2018
Sissoko literally missed an open goal.
— Tom (@tommymc93) January 21, 2018
Sissoko is an absolute Fraud!! Be lucky if Spurs were to re-coup £8m of what they paid for him!
— Brad Rose (@Brad_Rose87) January 21, 2018
Useless, give one of the younger players ago there or buy someone in this window who fits that position ! Sissoko the biggest waste of money ever
— George Tucker (@Tux02) January 21, 2018
Never start Moussa Sissoko in a competitive football match ever again
— Jonathan Webb (@thfcwebb) January 21, 2018
SO FRUSTRATING! Why did Sissoko finish the game? Why was Son brought off yet Sissoko and Dele finished the game? It just doesn’t make sense Poch. So frustrating to watch as a fan.
— for Jonghyun ⚪️ (@ZionPark_) January 21, 2018
