Without a doubt, the key moment in yesterday's game came in the last minute when Spurs were awarded a penalty. Referee Dean ruled that Michael Svensson had deliberately handled the ball on the line. In addition to awarding a penalty, he sent Svensson off.
Sheringham made no mistake and converted the winning goal. Having worked so hard Saints came away with nothing. Even at the time, it didn't look ats though Svensson could have done much to have got his hand out of the way. That being the case, play should have been allowed to continue.
Saints were gutted at the decision as Chris Marsden illustrates. Marsden had spent another gamegiving 100%. His workrate is second to none and he ran the length of the park numerous times yesterday. For all that effort, to get nothing must have been really hard to take.
Paul Williams continued to remostrate with the match officials after the game. Williams has been an immense figure in the Saints defence, especially since the injury to Claus Lundekvam. Saitns needed a leader to stand up and be counted and Wlliams has risen to the challenge. Of course, this was one of the resons Gordon Strachan brought the ex-Coventry player to the club.
Despite the defeat, aints can take a number of positives back to St. Mary's . Paul Jones had an excellen t game in goal. The added competition form Antti Niemi seems to have had the desired effect and JOnes game has moved up a notch. At the back Williams has been superb. Michael Svensson has been thrust into the deep end and has performed very well. Depsite his sending off yesterday, he has shown himself to be good in the air and in closing down his opponents.
In the midfield Marsden has returned to top form and Fabrice Fernandes has imrpoved considerably since the start of the season. The run of games he has been getting ahs paid off and he looks more a goal threat after each match. Anders Svensson is also looking much sharper than last season.
Even up front, there are positives, even though a Saints striker has yet to score. Brett Ormerod was finally played instead of the rusty looking Pahars and looked sharp and pacey. Exaclty the qualities we expect from Pahars, which should keep the Latvian on his toes for a first team place.
Saints do have to show more in attack, and no doubt Strachan will be working on this in the time before the Everton game. I expect to see a Saints side hungry for a win against Everton as we need to get our season going.
