Nigel Quashie struck in the second half as Southampton's Barclays Premiership
survival bid was given a massive shot in the arm with victory over Tottenham at
St Mary's.
Quashie was rested for the 3-1 FA Cup victory over Brentford in midweek and
the move paid dividends as the former Portsmouth midfielder produced a lively
performance which he capped with the 51st-minute winner.
But the undoubted star of the show was Henri Camara with his pace and trickery
exposing the Tottenham defence time and again, setting up several chances for
strike partner Peter Crouch who had a wasteful afternoon.
Crouch has thrived since Harry Redknapp's arrival at St Mary's and is now the
club's top scorer with 11 goals, but he failed to bury a series of first-half
opportunities to detract from an otherwise impressive display.
England striker Jermain Defoe was enduring a similar afternoon for the
visitors, although his inability to score owed much to some outstanding saves
from goalkeeper Paul Smith - especially in the second half.
Defoe fired a hat-trick as Saints were crushed 5-1 at White Hart Lane in
December - Redknapp's second game in charge - and he would have added three more
to his tally against the south coast club but for Smith.
The action at both ends made for a thrilling encounter and the first chance
arrived with just 45 seconds on the clock. Michael Brown shrugged off a tackle
from Danny Higginbotham before feeding Mido who was well saved by Paul
Robinson.
Graeme Le Saux floated a dangerous cross to Peter Crouch at the far post, but
the towering marksman was penalised by referee Peter Walton for climbing over
Ledley King and Camara blasted over moments later.
Quashie and Camara were finding space as Saints enjoyed the occasional foray
into Spurs territory, but the visitors were on top during the opening 15 minutes
with an Andy Reid header being scrambled to safety by Higginbotham.
There was panic in the Spurs defence a heartbeat later, however, when Camara
tricked his way out of a dead end - leaving King and Anthony Gardner for dead in
the process - and fired a pass to Crouch.
The 24-year-old was inches from the ball but just could not make up the ground
while Quashie and Camara failed with their follow-up efforts, the former falling
on the floor as he pulled the trigger.
Buoyed by the opportunity, Saints pressed ahead once again with Crouch
striding into space only to attempt an unlikely shot when Camara was unmarked
and ready to pounce from close range to his right.
Southampton fans vented their anger in the 25th minute when Robinson restarted
play despite seeing Lundekvam being spread-eagled on the pitch beside him and
Tottenham nearly profited from the move.
The ball found Jermain Defoe who had just Paul Smith to beat, but the England
marksman's shot clipped Saints' back-up 'keeper and Spurs missed a glorious
chance to snatch the lead.
Left back Stephen Kelly fired a powerful shot off-target with Defoe screaming
for the ball to his left, but while Spurs were finding room to exploit in
Saints' defence, they were also leaving themselves exposed at the back.
Crouch nearly threaded his way through and Camara went close in the 33rd
minute, gathering Le Saux's pass before trying to lob the onrushing Robinson who
managed to grab the ball from the air.
Mido used his strength to barge past Olivier Bernard but no-one was at home
for his cross and at the other end Camara was shoved off the ball as he
attempted to convert Crouch's pass.
Le Saux gave Walton an earful after the official declined to award him a
43rd-minute penalty and Crouch proved wasteful again in first-half injury time,
hitting Camara's square ball wide.
Michael Brown tested Smith with a curling effort from the edge of the area and
Mido scooped a shot off-target as Spurs made a bright start to the second half,
but it was Saints who took the lead against the run of play.
Rory Delap limped off with Mikael Nilsson coming on and the substitute made an
instant impact, picking up Camara's pass and finding Quashie at the near post,
and he steered a header past Robinson.
Defoe was soon given the opportunity to level matters but his blistering drive
was well saved by Smith and when play swung back to the other end, it was
Robinson's turn to perform heroics by denying Crouch.
Tottenham fashioned another opportunity for Defoe but Smith was on hand to
save once again and the England striker continued to enjoy a glut of possession
only to be frustrated by Saints' determined defence.
Martin Jol had replaced Mido with Frederic Kanoute who could have equalised
with four minutes to go, but Smith was on hand yet again to deny the visitors
who launched a flurry of late attacks.
They poured forward in a thrilling finale to what had been a pulsating
encounter, but Saints' resolute defending allowed them to finish the afternoon
with three points they just about deserved.
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