Tottenham's travel troubles continued at The Dell as goals from James Beattie, his ninth in as many Premiership matches, and Kevin Davies inside two first half minutes condemned them to another blank.

George Graham's side's woeful away record of just two points from 10 games has left hopes of a push for a European placing come May almost extinct, and they failed to offer any significant threat against the Saints.

In-form Beattie's opportunism in charging down a clearance to set up the opener got Southampton on their way and Davies climaxed a flowing move to sidefoot a volley inside Neil Sullivan's near post.

The victory eased the pressure on the hosts, who had begun the game just two points above the drop zone following Boxing Day wins for Coventry and Middlesbrough.

Glenn Hoddle, up against the club he graced as a player in the late 70s and 80s, won the tactical battle against George Graham with an adventurous line-up that kept the visitors under constant pressure throughout.

With Hassan Kachloul suspended following his sending-off against Leeds, Marian Pahars and Davies returned in a more attack-minded Southampton line-up, having both sat out the 1-1 draw at Coventry.

In fact, Davies should have put the hosts in front inside the first minute, seizing on a misplaced back pass from youngster Alton Thelwell and rounding goalkeeper Neil Sullivan only to shoot into the side netting.

Like London neighbours Chelsea, Spurs' away record leaves a lot to be desired and the visitors, with just two Premiership points on their travels, were seeking their first win on the road since April.

A new era at White Hart Lane began last week and the club's owners were implored by George Graham in the pre-match build-up to allow him to add five more faces to his ranks.

His current mix of youth and experience were second best for the most part despite an encouraging start to the game.

The recalled Oyvind Leonhardsen volleyed over a sixth-minute effort before Ledley King watched a flicked header from a Stephen Clemence free-kick deflected over the bar.

Clemence and captain Sol Campbell were both cautioned by referee David Elleray as Southampton began to come into the contest.

Jo Tessem forced Sullivan to save well to his left after the Norwegian, employed in an advanced midfield role, was released by Pahars' beautifully-weighted through ball.

But it took the alert Paul Jones to prevent the opener at the other end as Chris Armstrong bore down on goal.

The Tottenham striker poked his shot goalwards but the Wales international keeper halted the ball's progress in dashing from his line and Dean Richards cleared at the expense of a corner.

Southampton's persistence, after Tessem had tested Sullivan again and Chris Perry had headed a dangerous Pahars centre for a corner, eventually paid off seven minutes before the break.

Beattie charged down Perry's attempted clearance on the right and surged into the area to curl in his shot.

And the Saints doubled their advantage with a marvellous move just two minutes later as Pahars once again found space to exploit on the right.

The Latvian's deep cross was met beyond the far post by an unmarked Davies, who stole in to side-foot the ball in off the upright for his first league goal of the campaign.

Southampton continued their assault on Sullivan's goal on the resumption and substitute Tahar El Khalej, on in place of Chris Marsden at half-time, pressed the keeper to parry a vicious 20-yard volley after a Davies cross was only partially cleared, Beattie thundering the rebound inches wide.

Spurs' increased possession at the start of the second half resulted in little actual threat and Graham sought penetration with the substitution of the largely ineffective Sergei Rebrov, sending on Irish youngster Gary Doherty in his place just after the hour.

Doherty's physical presence provided another option up front but the visitors' main problem appeared to be a lack of service for their strikers.

In contrast, former England Under-21 striker Beattie was causing all kinds of problems for the Spurs' defence and it took a trailing leg from Sullivan to deny him a second after he had battled through the heart of the back line 18 minutes from time.

Sullivan was by far the busier of the two custodians and Jones' only save of note in the second period, clawing the ball from under his bar, resulted from a mishit Clemence cross.

The hosts may have added to their total in the final quarter but Davies' shot on the turn lodged in Sullivan's midriff and when the keeper was beaten after Beattie shepherded the ball into the path of Trond Soltvedt, the substitute's drive cannoned off the bar.

Pahars should have made it 3-0 in the closing minutes but headed wide after stealing in front of Sullivan to meet Davies' centre.

Teams:

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Lundekvam, Richards, Bridge, Draper (Soltvedt 64), Beattie (Rosler 88), Pahars, Marsden (El Khalej 45), Tessem, Davies.

Subs Not Used: Moss, Bleidelis.

Booked: El Khalej.

Goals: Beattie 38, Davies 40.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Carr (Sherwood 45), Perry, Campbell, Thelwell, King, Leonhardsen, Clemence, Anderton, Rebrov (Doherty 60), Armstrong (Korsten 81).

Subs Not Used: Walker, Davies.

Booked: Clemence, Campbell, Anderton.

Att: 15,237

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).