It's official Tottenham Hotspur are now Saints bogey team after they came and again won at St Mary's in controversial circumstances.

Saints could not have got off to a better start with Virgil Van Dijk heading home after only 2 minutes and they could have added a second, however after a great first 19 minutes, Spurs scored and Saints retreated too deep and allowed Spurs to dominate the rest of the half.

The goal had an element of luck about it the cross taking a deflection and keeping it low enough to wrong foot VVW and allow Alli to ghost in and head home.

This perhaps set the tone for the night ad you sensed that Saints would not get the rub of the green.

When Spurs took the lead shortly after the break it was another header and questions have to be asked why Harry Kane was allowed a free header from a dead ball situation.

The controversial moment came just before the hour when Nathan Redmond was sent off, Alli had got free and Redmond was chasing him, having watched the replays by view is that the initial contact was outside the area so a penalty was the wrong decision and the fact that Alli carried on and got a shot in also suggested that he had not been prevented from having a clear cut shot on goal.

Wrong decision from Mike Dean, but one that provided the only smile for Saints fans in the second half when Harry Kane almost brought down a plane on the flightpath into Southampton Airport with the resulting spot kick.

The incident seemed to spur Saints on and for a while it looked like they might get back into the game and they seemed to play with a passion lacking earlier, but as they pushed the visitors back the danger was being caught on the break and that was the case with 5 minutes left when Spurs added a third and it got worse two minutes later when perhaps the most obnoxious player in the Premier League added a fourth.

In truth it made the result seem a lot worse than it actually was, Saints had put up a decent fight especially having to play with ten men for so long and it could easily have been a great night it it had been Saints snatched a goal in the final five minutes, sadly it was Spurs and so ended another poor result at home to the North London Yobbos.

So Spurs can now lay claim to being our bogey side, we have lost four times at home to them since our return to the top flight with only a single point to our name in the five games played.

Our away record is only slightly better with last seasons win alongside three straight defeats.

It just seems that we never get any luck against Spurs !

That being said I have to say that they did dominate a large chunk of the game and were worth their win, they looked a good side and ready to kick on to get another top four finish (gritted teeth lol)

We have to march on though and there is nothing wrong with Saints that a good win over West Brom wont put right.

Photo: Action Images

arthurfane added 11:42 - Dec 29 Last season Forster was an absolute rock, but something's gone badly wrong this season. Against Palace I didn't like the grumbles at his performance because I felt he'd won more points for us than he'd lost, but last night he was rubbish. I'd always known he stays rooted to his line, despite his enormous stature, but thought his distribution and shot stopping were excellent. Last night, his distribution was pitiful (cue ironic cheers when he finally connected properly with a clearance . . . in the second half) and conceded 4 out of 5 shots on target. The 4th from Alli couldn't have been at a more ideal height or position for a goalkeeper to deal with - it just seems that he's as porous as Stekelenberg was last season. Time to give McCarthy a go I think. I thought last night just served to show the gulf in class between the two teams. For the first 15 minutes we were fantastic - we attacked with pace and skill, and were unlucky not to be two in front with Redmond narrowly missing and some frantic blocks from a shell-shocked Spurs. Then Tottenham got a foot-hold in the game and showed their class - they had ideas, were always quick to the second ball, and looked incisive up front. Wanyama was exceptional I thought, and orchestrated the game from the centre of the park - can't understand the booing for him. Apart from Midjtylland he gave his all for the club and moved on. Booing always spurs players on, we should know that by now. I didn't think we were especially bad last night - certainly we were unlucky with the penalty, red card, and lack of red card to Vertonghen, but Spurs were just much better and more incisive on the night (just why didn't Tadic shoot at an open goal!) Just a side note - I liked the positivity of the triple change made by Puel. We needed to TRY and take the game by the scruff of the neck, and that's just what he tried. Credit to him. We just got tired at the end.. Best player for Saints was Romeu (after the red card, he was exceptional). Everyone else had an average game which just isn't good enough against a top side like Spurs. Onwards and upwards though - let's get the win against West Brom and put some daylight between us and the chasing pack.

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St_Guido added 11:42 - Dec 29 Spot on Nick
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DPeps added 12:02 - Dec 29 Not a good performance at all. The red card issue is a distraction as Spurs were far and away the better side for much of the game before that. I can't help but compare this performance to the win against Spurs at the end of last season. Then we were hungry, clinical, energetic; now... I've not lost the faith yet. Onwards to WBA
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SonicBoom added 12:06 - Dec 29 Really? I thought we started brilliantly. We got on the front foot and pushed them back then inexplicably dropped back with simply handed the impetus to Spurs. We started defending the edge of our box rather than from the half way line. There looked like only one winner after that. We resorted to winning a tackle then whacking it aimlessly down the pitch. I have no idea why we did this, I guess it was Spurs pushing up back rather than a Puel tactic, at least I bloody hope so. I thought we hardly did anything right last night, so a pretty poor performance. Yes Spurs are next level with better more expensive players, but we played right into their hands last night and we could all see it. There'll be better days, but there wasnt much to admire about that performance.

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saintmark1976 added 12:16 - Dec 29 A result that hopefully will have a beneficial outcome going forward. I was concerned that after the Bournemouth result the board would have the excuse to soldier on with the existing limited forward options. Surely even they can now see the gulf between what we have in this department compared to the top six teams? I thought Spurs were very lucky with two of their goals arising from deflections. However even taking this and the sending off into consideration on the night they were a class apart in my opinion.

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dirk_doone added 12:25 - Dec 29 Our players looked less fit than they have in previous seasons. They were shattered after 20 minutes and just hanging on for the rest of the game. In contrast, Spurs hardly needed to raise a sweat to stroll around unchallenged in our half of the pitch for 75% of the game. We were lucky Spurs hit the bar and missed a penalty because 6-1 would have been a fairer reflection of the game. Only some last ditch tackles and interceptions from Fonte kept the score down. We looked like a lower league team with a glamour away tie against a higher league team in the FA cup, happy to escape without too much of a drubbing. The sale of 3 of our best players in the summer and failure to adequately replace them, really took its toll last night. I'm not sure we can blame the manager for that. The Teflon man who appointed him might have more to answer for however.

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Consigliere added 12:32 - Dec 29 For the life of me I can't understand either the red card or the penalty decision but clearly it made no difference to the outcome because we lost to a better side. As others have said, we were pushed back after the first 20 minutes and defended far too deeply, but the problem remains that we can't take the pressure off the back four by holding onto the ball in the other side's half. Each time the defence cleared their lines, the attack came back at us within moments. A player like Pele or Lambert could hold the ball in the opposition's half thus allowing the midfield to come forward in support, and this is what we are missing. On another note, did others think that Fraser Foster may be injured - he isn't moving well and his kicking is wayward. I recall that a few weeks ago he was asking Yoshida to take the goal kicks and frankly I was surprised that he didn't ask for similar help with this yesterday as he seemed to be in pain. Still, despite a painful evening it wasn't an awful performance and the potential is still there to move up the table - just sort out the problems we have all been complaining about!

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bstokesaint added 12:32 - Dec 29 Against a good team (it hurts me to say that) you need to be at your best and we really weren't. You also need some luck and they got a few king sized dollops of that. And you need the referee to be half decent and he really wasn't that. Like you say Nick I think it was just one of those games you have to take on the chin. The 1-4 scoreline really did flatter them and had we been a little quicker to react when they made mistakes at the back we might have equalized. For me personally the most disappointing aspect of the night was the jeering of Fraser Forster and those that cheered when Redmond was sent off. The mentality of some people inside the ground is simply moronic. I can't bring myself to use the word "supporters" because their actions by their very nature prove these idiots to be anything but. Let's just hope we dip into the transfer market in January because this has shown that the difference between us and a top 6 side. We looked short of ideas and far too lightweight last night.

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corkcitysaint added 12:44 - Dec 29 A Southampton side showing two faces last night. First 20 mins or so I thought we were excellent. Quick tempo, neat passing and inter-play whilst moving the ball forward.. Closing down, cutting off the options for Spurs. Excellent, more of that please. We were like an excited puppy! Then we got smacked on our nose by our master and cowered back into our kennel.. Spurs were very fortunate with the deflection off Redmond. Again, 1st attack by the opponent and they score! After that, we did not a lot. found it difficult to retain possession, Jrod was isolated. Boufal didn't contribute much in attack or defence. I thought once Spurs missed the penalty we might muster and counter some type of offense but it wasn't to be. 1-4 in my opinion was ultimately lucky.. As for the sending off, I thought at first it was for Redmond mouthing off to the referee as he is a bit of a mouthy character.. To me, it looked like it happened outside the box and he fell over himself inside the box. In any case, it made no difference to the outcome. We were outclassed again. Match against West Brom will now tell a lot I feel...

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pintsizedsaint added 12:53 - Dec 29 It has to be said that Spurs were the better team overall. But the high intensity start saw SFC rock them hard. What happened next im not sure but it appeared to be down to both sides tactics. It seemed SFC were looking to have periods of rest from high pressing and Spurs looked to put a lot of pressure on our midfield (perhaps sensing this overload would yield results). Spurs midfield is exceptional at present so I just think it was a case of the Spurs manager having the edge on getting the tactics working. Score line did flatter. And I think this will spur more activity in the Jan market

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petesmaterob added 12:59 - Dec 29 In previous years we have beaten teams from the top six by playing our high temp, pressing further up the pitch game. I felt that once Spurs got the equaliser that was it and we were never going to get back in the game because we could not match their fitness or tempo. Also agree with the comments about Forster. His kicking has deteriorated this season.
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luffy22 added 13:23 - Dec 29 There was nothing lucky about last night, the spuds dominated and the difference in class between the two teams was enormous, they made us look a very poor side. We may have one or two great players but all their team are good, we just can't match the teams in the top 6 in finance or player terms so its not a bad result.
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halftimeorange added 13:27 - Dec 29 Personally speaking I don't think we will beat any of the teams above us with the squad we have. Like others, I don't know what's wrong with Forster but it can't be allowed to continue. The back four pick themselves. Romeu and Davis are proven battlers but you can't have two of the midfield not performing - Boufal out of position and far too fancy - JWP not up to it apart from dead balls. Add to them the luxury of Redmond - looking more and more like a League One player at best - and no service at all to J-Rod and you will get beaten by a side which largely outplayed us, not like Chelsea who outclassed us. As I've said before, not many teams will take three points from St Marys this season but many could take one. Also, what's happened to McQueen who would have performed better than several I've named, possibly including our keeper.

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the_saint added 13:53 - Dec 29 Spot on nick and agree with all the comments but we have just sold too much quality over the past three seasons, and it's now starting to show. I travel home and away and this season we have been poor the board need to invest in the team. Even before the red card Spurs were well on top and there was only going to be one winner. Yes we are 8th and in a semi final but am I enjoying the football sadly not. We have rolled the dice too many times and sooner or later you will lose.

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AmericanSaint added 15:42 - Dec 29 A lot of good points made here already. Just to a thought. If you don't call Sours two deflections that turned into their goals luck,,then you dont know the word. That being said, they still had to finish and on Son's, he finished it with class. One thing I can say that is a positive from this is that Redmond will have to sit for 3 games. I dont understand why our best playmaker in Tadic is sitting on the bench behind Redmond. Puel wants to use the wing defenders to move up and cross the ball and so Redmond doesnt need to play on exterior of the diamond. Maybe now Tadic can play and help make goals since he was our leader last year in this category. JWP played okay, but why was Hojberg on the bench to start? How we react to WBA will say a lot of how we will do the rest of the season.

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lemmsy added 15:42 - Dec 29 If memory serves me well i don't think either goalkeeper made a genuine save, this suggests (what most of us think ) that we just haven't got enough quality upfront. Even in a difficult game if hoijberg had shown better skill we would have drawn level , for me that was a dreadful effort at a reasonably simple chance .my point about the goalkeepers is that spuds scored 4 out of very few chances whilst we can manage only the 1.i don't quite get why 'supporters have it in for Les reed & the board when u consider our progress under there stewardship, personally I feel we have to accept the size of club we are & enjoy what we've got. For those who question this there's a really goo d article by Niall Quinn on his time on the board @ Sunderland and his respect for our club

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sidsaint added 17:53 - Dec 29 Some well made points. WBA game gives us the opportunity to right a few wrongs. It won't be easy but a win will give us a boost for the second half of the season. We must not sell and we will need to strengthen whatever happens. COYR'S.
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TeamCortese added 18:13 - Dec 29 lemmsy: the problem with your comment is that we were always considered a top flight club. The only reason we are where we are now is because of the ambition and vision of Markus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese. Katerina is the complete opposite. We had a golden opportunity last summer to keep a top manager, our best players and invest significantly for the Europa League. Spurs weren't too different to us a couple of years ago but they have alway been looking to improve themselves. The fact that Benitez and Pellegrini didn't even consider managing us speaks volumes about our board's reputation. It's just frustrating that decision by people in power are not made for footballing reasons!

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Neilw added 19:05 - Dec 29 Summed up pretty accurately by Nick. NLY are luckiest team in league, not just our bogey side. I think Forster might be carrying an injury, but we've got no one to replace him with. Rotation system not being applied between the sticks.
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ItchenNorth added 19:27 - Dec 29 Didn't think we played that badly last night. First 20 was great but we sat too deep for a period afterwards and this let Spurs get a foothold in the game for the remainder of the first half. The red card forced our hand and credit to Puel who could have let the game play out to a 1-2 lost, but he rolled the dice, made three positive subs and tired to grab an equiliser. It opened the door for Spurs counter attacking and they grabbed another two goals, but at least we had a go for a period in the second after the red. I got to say though that the atmosphere inside St Marys was terrible as soon as we conceded. Saints fans need to wake up and be far more vocal and not just write matches off so quickly. We can make a difference to performance. In summary; we still need a striker in January !

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AmericanSaint added 21:53 - Dec 29 Team Cortese - This is not an attack on you, but I think you are wrong. When we dropped out, everyone forgot about us and when we were in the 3rd tier, people gave up on Saints. Marcus and Cortese did their part to save us and send us upward. If you think that Mane and Pele would have stayed last year, you are dreaming. Koeman was always using the Saints as a stepping stone and if you think otherwise, you are delusional. That is why he wanted a rolling year contract. The one thing you dont want to admit is that Catherine is not going to go spending hundreds of millions of pounds to break the top-6 barrier. It just a fact, accept it. Finally, there are few players who look at Saints as a destination team until we start winning hardware and in Europe competitions on a yearly basis. That is football today. Everyone has a price and everyone wants to be playing for Barcelona or Chelsea etc. I dont like it either but that is the way it is, Plus, I think that Saints would be in a different place if Marcus was still alive as I think he fell in love with the organization and would have spent the money to keep some of our players by making their wages a non issue for leaving.

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IanRC added 22:28 - Dec 29 Alarm from the first 20 minutes the only good thing is that Redmond will not be available for 3 games presumably, a disastrous transfer for us so far. That said he shouldn't have been sent off, Mike Dean the incompetent this time - (a) it was outside the area and (b) the rules have changed and awarding a penalty is sufficient punishment - think he should know that in his job wouldn't you.

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IanRC added 22:28 - Dec 29 Apart from the first 20 minutes the only good thing is that Redmond will not be available for 3 games presumably, a disastrous transfer for us so far. That said he shouldn't have been sent off, Mike Dean the incompetent this time - (a) it was outside the area and (b) the rules have changed and awarding a penalty is sufficient punishment - think he should know that in his job wouldn't you.

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BarnetSaint added 22:50 - Dec 29 For the life of me i don't see the logic in playing JRod in such an isolated role up front. It may work against poorer opponents like b muff but he needs help against better teams. We have to use Tadic more, his creative output far outweighs that of redmond who i'm afraid is a luxury player, who does't have the odd flash of briliance to win games. As for the atmosphere, it has been poorer of late but reflects our dull tippy tappy stuff.

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stokeysaint10 added 05:50 - Dec 30 If you sell your best players, you lose to the best teams. Simple as that. We got what we deserved for not being able to control the game through the middle, and it'll be like that against the other top 6. We've had fun punching above our weight on these games the last two seasons, this is where the transfer policy brings us crashing back to earth. Eventually the lack of quality tells, and no amount of deflecting stories about how we'll keep VVD for six months are gonna change that

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