Tottenham Defeats Southampton 2-1 In Ryan Mason's Coaching Debut

Ryan Mason celebrating his first win (Twitter @officialspurs)

JAKARTA - Tottenham Hotspur beat Southampton 2-1 in a postponed match of the 29th week of the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Wednesday local time (Thursday western Indonesia time), which also marked Ryan Mason's coaching debut.

The 29-year-old Tottenham academy graduate is believed to be the interim coach of The Lilywhites following the sacking of Jose Mourinho earlier this week.

According to Antara, the tenor of the former player who had to retire early due to a head injury began with Tottenham's position being bombarded by Southampton's players.

In the third minute goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris is forced to make two consecutive brilliant saves from a header from Mohammed Salisu and a throwing ball by Che Adams.

The visitors finally reaped their dominance in the 30th minute when James Ward-Prowse's corner was headed by Danny Ings to give Southampton a 1-0 lead over Tottenham.

The advantage lasted until halftime and in the 60th minute, Gareth Bale managed to equalize by cleverly grabbing the ball from Lucas Moura's shot which was cleared by Jannik Vestergaard.

The goal seemed to spark the enthusiasm of the Tottenham players who almost turned things around eight minutes later if only Salisu had not swept Sergio Reguilon's bait ball, which Bale was ready to shoot.

In the 75th minute, Son Heung-min finishes Reguilon's lure cross into the Southampton goal, but the goal is ruled out because Lucas is offside and blocks goalkeeper Alex McCarthy's line of sight.

Tottenham's hard work paid off in the 87th minute when Reguilon was tackled by Moussa Djenepo in the penalty box.

Referee David Coote initially gave Tottenham a free-kick, but after a long consultation with VAR, he increased his penalty for Southampton to a penalty.

The ball at the spot was faced with confidence by Son who tricked McCarthy into slamming it into the bottom right corner of the net as well as bringing Tottenham back to a 2-1 win over Southampton.

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟-𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 ⏱️ We're up and running under @RyanMason after a superb second-half comeback seals a big three points!

⚪️ #THFC 2-1 #SaintsFC 🔴 pic.twitter.com/LB6DF9EM4J

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 21, 2021

The result made Tottenham move up to the sixth position, displacing Liverpool with the advantage on goal difference even though both teams have both collected 53 points.

Meanwhile, Southampton (36) is stuck in 14th, only have a safe distance of nine points from the threat of relegation, according to the official Premier League website.

For Tottenham and Mason, this victory also injects their confidence ahead of the Premier League Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley, Sunday, April 25.

“It’s four years since Ugo Ehiogu passed, so I want to dedicate that one to him and his family. He was a great man and everyone at the Club still remembers him.” pic.twitter.com/nixjJvmir3

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 21, 2021