Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Southampton
Man of the match: Steven Davis (Southampton)
Tottenham Hotspur's chances of winning the Premier League title ended last Monday, but the club's supporters still seemed to be unaware six days later.
The atmosphere at White Hart Lane was scintillating in the opening minutes of Tottenham's final home game of 2015/16, the hosts' fans determined to celebrate their side's season despite being beaten to the championship crown by Leicester City.
This 2-1 defeat by a Southampton side still targeting a Europa League qualification spot denied them a positive end to the campaign, however, as well as dealing a blow to their chances of achieving a first top-two finish in over half a century.
• Read more: Greg Lea – Leicester City's success may not be a 'one-off', for them or other aspirants
• Also see: Steven Davis and Southampton put dent in Spurs' quest for second – in pictures
The loss also extended Mauricio Pochettino’s men’s winless run to three matches, with Tottenham’s tally of dropped points in the run-in increasing to seven.
It has still been a fantastic year for a team who were expected to finish outside the top four, but Tottenham’s results at the business end of the season show there is still work to be done if they want to be challengers at the top again next term.
“It’s normal we feel disappointed,” Pochettino said. “We need to analyse the last few games ... it’s important for us to learn from the experience and try to improve.”
Tottenham started strongly on a sunny Sunday afternoon in North London, taking a deserved lead through Son Heung-min in the 16th minute.
Southampton improved thereafter, though, causing problems on the counter-attack and taking control of proceedings once Steven Davis had levelled the scores just after the half-hour mark.
The majority of those watching on from the terraces grew edgy and anxious, their desperation to see Tottenham end Arsenal's 21-year streak of finishing above their local rivals palpable in the collective reaction to misplaced passes and perceived refereeing errors.
Second place remains in Tottenham’s hands, but the 10-point gap now separating them from leaders Leicester means they will finish much further behind the champions than most would have predicted a few weeks ago.
If Pochettino’s side are to go one better in 2016/17, greater strength in depth is required in certain areas – namely in the centre of midfield, where Mousa Dembele’s absence was keenly felt, and up front, with Harry Kane the only real option – while another experienced head in the dressing room would not go amiss.
There is also an argument that Tottenham occasionally lack the requisite creativity to break down opponents when their pressing game does not bear fruit. Southampton, for instance, were rarely troubled until the closing stages of the second half, Pochettino’s charges struggling to fashion many clear-cut opportunities before Davis edged the visitors in front.
Tottenham are clearly on the right path: Pochettino has given them an identity again, a defined way of playing that is discernible to anyone who watches them.
The club’s followers have wholeheartedly bought into that, embracing a high-tempo and energetic style that is based on many of the principles traditionally coveted by British supporters.
The key for Tottenham now is to build on the foundations that have been laid down this season and come back stronger in August.
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