Tottenham Hotspur defeated Southampton 4-1 in their 2022-2023 Premier League opening match to hand Antonio Conte a good start to the season.
Match Line-up
Tottenham: Lloris (C), Emerson Royal, Romero, Dier, Davies, Sessegnon, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.
Subs: Forster, Lenglet, Sanchez, Doherty, Perisic, Spence, Bissouma, Gil, Moura.
Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Valery, Bednarek, Salisu, Djenepo, Lavia, Romeu, Ward-Prowse (C), Aribo, A. Armstrong.
Subs: McCarthy, Bella-Kotchap, Stephens, Perraud, Diallo, S. Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Redmond, Adams.
Right there at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the first half kicked off with both sides pushing hard against each other, with wild and dangerous tackles recorded in the first few minutes.
Son’s 10th-minute corner kick was cleared but Kane met it on the left flank and tried to push it into the box. With less force, Bazunu was able to hold onto it for a goal kick in favor of the Saints.
The game continued as it dulls around end-to-end strikes with both sides not able to create a clear chance for a goal. Midfield blunders by both sides and untouched passes rolled the ball off the pitch for throwing a couple of times.
The Saints began to pick up momentum threatening the Spurs’ brick wall but what a defense! Yet, it was a 12th-minute curtain-raiser for the saints as they swung into a surprising early lead. An incredible foray upfront by Moussa Djenepo created an opportunity to fire the ball into the saint’s box. Ward-Prowse almost missed it but the hit was enough to beat Loris as the ball flew into the net.
Spurs quickly responded and they began to calmly dominate and outplay their opponents in search of an equalizer. The efforts of the Conte-led team paid off in the 20th minute.
Dejan Kulusevski whipped in a cross from the far right corner. Wing-back Ryan Sessegnon was ready to head into the back of the net beating a helpless Gavin Bazunu.
The Lilywhites continued to push for a lead after leveling the game. The Saints appeared a bit disoriented over overwhelming Conte-led men.
It was Erik Dier at the 31st minute that doubled Spurs’ lead. Son receives a corner kick on the left flank and crosses it to the near post. Erik Dier’s diving header swings the ball pass Bazunu and Spurs took the lead.
The Saints try to find an equaliser after trailing the Lilywhites 2-1. Ward-Prowse took a solo run down the right flank in the 40th minute. Tottenham quickly locked the midfield. He then fired a cross into the near post, which was blocked for a corner by Tottenham. The corner was taken but was cleared by Tottenham. The first half ended 2-1, with Spurs going into the break with the lead.
Southampton made two changes to the team in the second half. Valery was taken off for Stephens.
Tottenham continued to fire more at the Saint’s box and pressed harder to double their lead. Spurs found the back of the net again in the 46th minute, but the flag was already up by the fourth official.
It was Kulusevski who attempted to wreak havoc in the 51st minute as he set up Sessegnon in the Saints’ half, but Walker-Peters was there to clear the ball.
The game was temporarily halted in the 54th minute as Walker-Peters collided with Bazunu. Few moments later, he was back on his feet for the game.
Spurs were dominating their opponents as the game progressed. An own goal by Mohammed Salisu extended the lead for Spurs.
In the 60th minute, Son had an overlap by Emerson who crossed into the box. Bad clearance by Salisu sunk the visitors as he headed into his own net.
Tottenham further put the game beyond their visitors in the 63rd minute. Emerson cut in from the right flat to find Kulusevski in the box who curled the ball past Bazunu with little effort. It was Spurs leading 4-1.
Tottenham continued to dominate the game as they tamed their opponents in the midfield and dominating possession.
The final whistle blew with the Antonio Conte-led team flying high in their opening Premier League fixture as they thrashed their opponents 4-1.
