How could I be anything other than gutted by yesterday's results. To have come back into the game, to have played so well and to have nothing to show for it it is hugely disappointing.
Saints have been pretty solid thus far this season, but I have to admit the thought of facing the pace of Davies and Etherington had me very worried. The absence of Dodd and Lundekvam further weakened our defence but at least Keane wasn't eligible to start for Spurs.
The first 10 minutes or so were all Spurs, and they capped it off with the opening goal. Etherington's pace (why, oh why haven't Saints put a bid in for him?), resulted in a corner. Sheringham managed to head the ball to Les Ferdinand who knocked it in at the back post although Marsden had a chance to clear it. With Spurs fully in the ascendant, it looked as though it would be a bad day to be a Saints fan.
However, instead of capitalising on their lead, Spurs allowed Saints back into the game. Saints seized the opportunity and fought there way back into the proceedings, Anders Svensson free kick on 14 minutes the first opportunity.
Kasey Keller had to produce a spectacular save to prevent Paul Telfer levelling the scores on 24 minutes after a good cross from Delap.
One of Saints many positive points form this match was Brett Ormerod. The former Blackpool star has been left out in deference to Jo Tessem and Marians Pahars since the start of the season. Ormerod was building up confidence and experience towards the end of last season and he looked hungry to continue that learning curve yesterday. He provided the pace and threatening qualities so lacking in Pahars in recent games.
Ormerod was primarily responsible for Saints equaliser. After a good attacking run, he put a ball in towards the back post and James Beattie. Taricco clearly felt the pressure of Beattie's presence and his attempted clearance only succeeded in going into his own net.
Ormerod continued to tease the Spurs back line and Gary Doherty had to make a last ditch tackle to prevent Saints taking the lead on 36 minutes. Brett also managed a shot five minutes later which was held by Keller.
While Saints were beginning to look the better side, Spurs could have taken the lead before the break. After a chance for Sheringham, Simon Davies could only scoop the ball over at the second attempt after it looked easier to score past Jones.
Jones did well again in the Saints goal and it could be a while longer before Niemi makes his debut.
Spurs started the second half as they did the first and I thought that they would take the lead shortly afterwards. Richards' header went wide and Paul Jones produced an excellent save form a close range Simon Davies shot.
Saints managed to get back into the game and it became an evenly contested match from which a draw would have been a fair result with both sides wondering why they didn't win.
With the England squad due to be announced, Bridge put in a solid display and reminded fans of his attacking qualities with a 75th minute shot, which produced a save form Keller. At the other end Doherty could have snatched it for Spurs.
In the end, it was a last gasp penalty which sealed the tie, just as I was beginning to relax into the thought of a point well earned.
Iverson hit the post with a shot and his follow up was prevented form going in by the hand of Michael Svensson. Referee Dean awarded the penalty and sent the Swedish international from the pitch. The ball went straight into Svensson and there wasn't anything he could do.
I was reminded immediately of the world cup match Hugh Dallas refereed between USA and Germany. There, the ball hit a German defender's hand on the line. Hugh, unlike everyone else around me, knew the rules and let play continue as the handball was not intentional. We get a penalty awarded against us and a player sent off.
Clearly Mr. Dean felt Svensson deliberately handled the ball and acted accordingly. Hopefully he'll realise he was mistaken and Svensson's red card can be successfully appealed.
Teddy Sheringham converted the penalty and left no time for Saints to try and get an equaliser.
The result sees Saints slip into the relegation zone. It's too early to be worried yet and there have been many positive displays. However a good win against Everton will do wonders to kick start our season and allay those nagging doubts about our capability of finishing games off.
A final note should be made concerning Fabrice Fernandes. While I've only been too happy to moan about him in recent weeks, he had another excellent game yesterday. He's showing a lot more confidence going forward and is causing defences a lot of problems. While I'd still like to see him take the ball wide past the full backs more, his all round game has improved a great deal and shows every sign of continuing to do so.
Teams
Tottenham Keller, Taricco (Bunjevcevic 72), Richards, Doherty, Thatcher, Davies, Redknapp, Acimovic (Blondel 80), Etherington, Ferdinand (Iversen 65), Sheringham.
Subs Not Used: Hirschfeld, Perry.
Booked: Redknapp, Richards, Ferdinand.
Goals: Ferdinand 10, Sheringham 90 pen.
Southampton Jones, Telfer, Michael Svensson, Williams, Bridge, Anders Svensson, Marsden, Delap, Fernandes, Beattie, Ormerod.
Subs Not Used: Niemi, Dodd, Oakley, Pahars, El Khalej.
Sent Off: Michael Svensson (90).
Booked: Marsden.
Goals: Taricco 30 og.
Att: 35,573
Ref: M Dean (Wirral).
Footy- Mad Report
Teddy Sherringham's injury-time penalty sent Spurs to the top of the Premiership table as they beat Southampton 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
The game looked to be heading for a draw when referee Mike Dean awarded the late spot-kick and sent off Saints defender Michael Svensson.
Having won their last two Premiership games Spurs fans thought they were on their way to a comfortable third win in succession when they took the lead after just ten minutes.
Matt Etherington won a corner on the left wing which was swung to the back post by Milenko Acimovic and when Sheringham headed it back across goal, Les Ferdinand was able to prod the ball home from six yards.
Southampton barely made it inside Spurs' half in the opening 20 minutes but they nearly equalised with their first chance of the match when Paul Telfer met Rory Delap's cross and forced a great save from Kasey Keller.
If that was a warning Spurs did not heed it as Saints duly equalised on the half hour. Fabrice Fernandes fed Brett Ormerod and his low cross from the right flank was turned into his own net by Mauricio Taricco under pressure from Saints striker James Beattie.
Both goalkeepers came to their side's rescue countless times after that, Keller denying Ormerod and Wayne Bridge while Saints keeper Paul Jones thwarted Ben Thatcher and made a fine double save from Simon Davies.
But the biggest drama came right at the death when Steffen Iversen's shot came back off the post and his second attempt struck the raised arms of Svensson to lead to the decisive penalty.
"The rules say if it was deliberate handball then he had to go but I haven't had the chance to see it again yet," said Saints boss Gordon Strachan.
"We deserved to take something from the game - our points total isn't reflecting our performances at the moment."
Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle said: "We only played reasonably well and we still won - that is a significant sign for us."