Southampton

2.59

• 
  6

  0

  2.50

  Artur Boruc

  Just prevented Lennon opening the scoring with a brave block in his six-yard box. Could do nothing about the opener, Bale's header was too good. Flew off his goal-line but saw Defoe clip it past him for the second.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Nathaniel Clyne Flop of the Match

  Struggled to contain Bale who was in explosive form and generally had a poor first half. Couldn't get forward as he would have liked and was generally more concerned with the Welshman he was up against. Consequently shrank into his shell.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Maya Yoshida

  The Japan international has played all across the defence this season but it's still unclear where his best position is. Today he gave Defoe too much space and failed to clear the striker's shot off the line, slipping before he went to clear the ball. Was unlucky to see his header deflected behind just prior to the goal but made a potentially goal saving tackle on Defoe as Spurs broke at 2-1.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Jose Rocha Fonte

  Good in the air but was also guilty of dropping too deep and allowing Dempsey and Defoe more space than they should have received. His near-post flick forced Friedel to parry to Rodriguez for Southampton's first goal.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Daniel Fox

  Was outfoxed throughout the game by Lennon's direct running and his combinations with Walker. Another who sat deep and found it hard to push forward in the first period. He did manage an ambitious 35-yard effort that drifted over Friedel's crossbar. Replaced by Reeves.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Morgan Schneiderlin

  Battled hard in midfield but was overrun by the Spurs trio. Wasn't helped by the large gap between defence and midfield but was also caught in possession. Kept things ticking over in an improved second half and unfortunate to see Sandro block his goalbound shot from 25 yards.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Steven Davis

  Fought alongside Schneiderlin but was often found chasing Dempsey who was given the freedom of St Mary's in the first half. Passing left a lot to be desired and was replaced by Do Prado.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Adam Lallana

  Switched flanks with Puncheon throughout the first half but the captain was largely anonymous in the first 45. Looked brighter from the left in the second half but had his best moment centrally as he played a quick one-two with Rodriguez and fired a fantastic low cross into the six-yard box.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Jason Puncheon

  Started deep and put in a great tackle on Bale, offering Clyne help. But had little-to-no-joy up against Vertonghen, occasionally resorting to switching to the left side. Had the Saints' first meaningful effort just after half-time, volleying wide from the edge of the box. Was subbed for Mayuka early in the second half.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Rickie Lambert

  Constantly looked to peel to the full-backs as Southampton aimed for his head but had little joy throughout. Could barely muster a shot for the hosts until the second period. Found room in the box but Gallas blocked his goalbound effort.

• 
  1

  0

  3.50

  Jay Rodriguez

  A fairly anonymous figure for much of the game , though did see a chance go begging as his first touch let him fown following a Lambert cross. Got his head to another moments later but could only send it wide. Was alert in the box to latch onto Freidel's parry and smash home Saints' first goal and nearly equalised with a left-foot volley that sailed just wide.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  Ben Reeves

  On for Fox with 12 to play.

• 
  0

  0

  Guilherme Do Prado

  On for Davis with 12 to play.

• 
  0

  0

  Emmanuel Mayuka

  First sub of the day came on to replace Puncheon.

Tottenham

3.13

• 
  0

  2

  3.00

  Brad Friedel

  A genuine spectator in the first half but found himself much more involved in the second as Southampton picked up their performance. Made a good save from Fonte's flick but that only left Rodriguez with an empty net to tap into.

• 
  7

  0

  3.50

  Jan Vertonghen

  Always an outlet and looked to get forward when he could. Seems to be developing a great understanding with Bale and used this to great effect, often overlapping on the left wing.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  William Gallas

  Did an unspectacular but solid job alongside Caulker, stepping in when needed and getting his head to a number of deep crosses. Made a goal saving clearance in his six-yard box to stop Lallana's cross.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Kyle Walker

  Linked superbly with Lennon early on to lay a great chance on for Defoe and when he was laid in by the winger in the second half he should have done better than the slice wide of the near post. Got caught out in dangerous positions on the odd occasion. Still not back to the form of the first half of last season.

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  Steven Caulker

  His run of games is seeing him grow in stature and the young centre-back continues to impress. He is so comfortable on the ball and displayed the confidence to raid forward as well as clip a number of impressive forward passes. Won everything in the air but perhaps his inexperience told as he tried to overcomplicate a late free-kick, handing Southampton possession.

• 
  5

  1

  3.50

  Clint Dempsey

  Was finding good positions off Defoe but seemingly unsure of what to do in possession. Often chose to drop the ball off to Huddlestone in favour of passing forward or carrying the ball. Stuck at it though and arrived on time to smash home Yoshida's goal-line clearance for his second Tottenham goal. Had one of his better games of the season though faded a touch in the second half.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Tom Huddlestone

  Pressure was on him to step up his performance after the mistake against Maribor midweek and the early signs were not good. His usually reliable passing was way off and he ceded possession needlessly. However, after being asked to step further forward, the big man guided a pinpoint cross onto the head of Bale for the opener and he improved from there. Was replaced by Livermore on 60 minutes after seemingly picking up a knock.

• 
  3

  0

  3.50

  Aaron Lennon

  Early chance skewed wide in a 50/50 with Boruc before combining well with Walker, releasing the full-back to create the first clear chance of the game. Continued to find space and drifted inside just before half-time to roll Defoe in for the game's second goal. Had a positive impact throughout and contines to impress this season - one of Spurs' most impressive performers.

• 
  9

  1

  4.00

  Gareth Bale Top of the Match

  Arrived in the box to meet Huddlestone's cross, expertly guiding his header to the far past and beyond Boruc to open the scoring. Was a constant menace and delivered a couple of devilish crosses just asking to be tapped in.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Sandro

  Screened his defence well and filled in for Caulker when he opted to maraud forward from centre-back. Not the most accurate in possession though. Was booked in the second half for a late tackle on Davis. Made a fantastic block with his head in the 90th minute.

• 
  1

  3

  3.00

  Jermain Defoe

  Should have scored after finding space in the box to meet Walker's low cross but uncharacteristically smashed his shot wide. Had another great chance from the edge of the box but smashed it high and over the bar. Almost made amends by rolling his shot past Boruc but Dempsey grabbed the goal, tapping in on the line. Was replaced by Sigurdsson - really should have come away with a goal.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  2

  Michael Dawson

  91st minute introduction for Dempsey.

• 
  0

  4

  Gylfi Sigurdsson

  Replaced Defoe with little more than 10 minutes to play.

• 
  0

  3

  2.00

  Jake Livermore

  Came on for Huddlestone with 30 to play and aimed to shore up the defence. Was rash with his distribution though, deciding to go long instead of using his outlet - Bale - and extremely fortunate not to be punished for dwelling on the ball and being robbed of possession. Not a good cameo.