Tottenham came from a goal down to beat Southampton 2-1 as Ryan Mason made a winning start as interim manager.

First half

The hosts were flat in the first half as they were dominated by a superior Southampton side.

Hugo Lloris made a brilliant double save to deny Mohammed Salisu and Che Adams, but Spurs fell behind to a Danny Ings glancing header from James Ward-Prowse’s corner on the half-hour mark.

Lucas Moura blazed a shot over as Spurs failed to register a shot on target in the Premier League for the first time this season.

Second half

They were much-improved after the break, playing with more urgency as Southampton tired. Spurs were without their main man, Harry Kane, and Southampton lost theirs when Danny Ings was substituted through injury.

Three minutes later, Gareth Bale – on his first start in the Premier League since the north London derby in March – curled a fantastic finish into the top corner that was beyond the reach of Alex McCarthy in goal.

Son Heung-Min looked to have scored the winner with 15 minutes remaining when he stroked home Sergio Reguilon’s cut back. However, the goal was ruled out by VAR due to Lucas Moura obscuring the view of Alex McCarthy in goal.

Mason’s men were handed a chance to take all three points in the 90th minute when VAR adjudged that Moussa Djenepo fouled Harry Winks inside the penalty area.

Son stepped up and scored the penalty to give Ryan Mason – the youngest manager in Premier League history – a win in his first game as manager.

What it means

Spurs’ win moves them up to sixth and two points off the top four, albeit having played a game more.

It was only their second win from their last six league games. Southampton remain 14th in the table with just three wins from their last 16 games.

Stats

Tottenham won a Premier League match in which they were losing at half-time for the first time since December 2019.

Only Sheffield United (13) have taken fewer points than Southampton (20) since Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side went top of the table – a run of 24 games.

Southampton have dropped more points from winning positions than any other Premier League side this season (21).

City come from behind to edge closer to title

Manchester City took a step closer to regaining the Premier League title after they recovered from a shocking start to beat Aston Villa 2-1.

The match

John McGinn found the bottom corner after a pass by Ollie Watkins to put Aston Villa ahead after just 20 seconds.

But City responded and equalised through Phil Foden, who fired home from close range after he was picked out by Bernardo Silva.

Rodri then headed Pep Guardiola’s side in front but John Stones was dismissed for a reckless and high challenge on the stroke of half time.

Aston Villa could not use their man advantage to much effect as Matty Cash was sent off 11 minutes into the second half for a second yellow.

What it means

Man City go 11 points clear at the top and need just three wins to become Premier League champions, while Aston Villa are 11th. The Blues have won each of their last 10 Premier League away games.

Featured image: Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier after scoring the winning goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)