First Half: Lallana fires a shot from the edge of the box across goal over the top of the far corner. Goal! 0-1, Saints take the lead as a nicely worked out free kick takes Rodriguez through on goal before scoring with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 0-2, Lambert plays in Lallana who scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 1-2, Spurs get one back as Eriksen latches onto a cross before scoring with a low shot from close range at the near side. Lallana has a shot saved at the near side. Eriksen has a close range effort saved.
Half Time: 1-2.
Second Half: Goal! 2-2, Spurs equalise as Soldado fires in a low cross which is converted by Eriksen at the far post with a close range tap in. Eriksen fires a shot into the side-netting. Goal! 3-2, Spurs take the lead in the 90th minute as Sigurdsson scores with a low driven shot from long range into the near bottom corner.
Full Time: 3-2.
Spurs 5th, 53>56pts
Saints 8>9th, 45pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Eriksen. Sigurdsson seals Spurs comeback. It was a slow start to the game from Spurs who were 2-0 down within the opening half an hour. However, they dug deep and managed to pull off a spectacular comeback thanks the brilliance of Eriksen and Sigurdsson. That was an important result for Spurs as their manager Tim Sherwood has come under fire in recent weeks. I'm sure the win will keep the Spurs faithful happy but they need to improve defensively.
Southampton made a great start to the game and deservedly went two goals up. They may argue that their players were fouled in the build up to some of the Spurs goals but c'est la vie. The England trio of Rodriguez, Lallana and Lambert were at full throttle but the manager will be disappointed they conceded so early after half time. They were put under more pressure in the second half and it eventually told as Sigurdsson scored a dramatic late winner. Disappointment for the Saints who could have and probably should have taken something back to St Mary's. That defeat means the Saints drop one place down to 9th.
Aston Villa 1 v 4 Stoke City Benteke (5), Odemwingie (22), Crouch (26), N'Zonzi (42), Cameron (90)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Villa take the lead as Benteke smashes in at the near side. Odemwingie has a shot from the edge of the box that deflects just wide of the near post. Goal! 1-1, Stoke level as Odemwingie holds off Bertrand before scoring with a low shot under the keeper. Goal! 1-2, Stoke take the lead as Crouch latches onto a low Pieters cross before slotting a shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 1-3, Stoke double their lead as N'Zonzi scores with a low shot from the edge of the box into the far bottom corner.
Half Time: 1-3
Second Half: Benteke has a penalty appeal turned down. Odemwingie has a long range blast parried away. Goal! 1-4, Arnautovic finds Cameron with a cross before the American slots a shot home into the far bottom corner.
Full Time: 1-4.
Villa 10>11th, 34pts
Stoke 11>10th, 34>37pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Arnautovic. Rampant Stoke thrash Villa. Aston Villa made a strong start to the game and took an early lead through Benteke. However, for much of the game they were second best. They were completely outplayed by Stoke and were a completely different side to the one that defeated Chelsea. Too many times they gave the Stoke players time and space on the ball and they got severely punished. Lambert will not be satisfied with that performance today and has his work cut out to motivate the Villa players for every game, not just the big ones. With that loss, Villa drop one place into 11th.
Stoke were highly impressive and good value for their four goals. They put in a very strong performance and rightly deserved to take all three points. Hughes has managed to get his Stoke team playing some decent football and it paid off today as they netted four times. Arnautovic was the star man and played a key role down the left flank for Stoke. Encouraging times ahead for Stoke who move up one spot into 10th with that victory.
Best Goal: Rodriguez, Sigurdsson. Winner: Sigurdsson
League Leaders
1. Chelsea 69pts
2. Liverpool 65pts
3. Man City 63pts
4. Arsenal 62pts
5. Tottenham 56pts
Relegation Battle
16. West Brom 28pts
17. Crystal Palace 28pts
18. Sunderland 25pts
19. Cardiff 25pts
20. Fulham 24pts
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