Soccer

Ronald Koeman delighted as Saints down high flying Spurs

&nbsp;Northern Ireland captain Steve Davis scored twice in yesterdays match at White Hart Lane<br />Picture by PA
 Northern Ireland captain Steve Davis scored twice in yesterdays match at White Hart Lane
Picture by PA
 Northern Ireland captain Steve Davis scored twice in yesterdays match at White Hart Lane
Picture by PA

SOUTHAMPTON manager Ronald Koeman was pleased with his team’s reaction to going 1-0 down in their penultimate Barclays Premier League game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

After going behind to Son Heung-Min’s goal in the 16th minute, a brace from Steven Davis saw Southampton secure the three points which moved them into sixth on 60 points, equalling their best points tally in the league.

The Saints boss has now beaten every team in the Premier League since he joined the side in June 2014 and admits it is an impressive record.

Koeman said: “It is a big, big achievement, but it is nice.

“Tottenham was the better team at the start of the game, very aggressive, very good football, they made it very difficult.

“We had a good reaction in the game, some good crosses, we made it really dangerous. It is all about scoring chances but we showed belief in the second half.

“We controlled a little bit better in the midfield area and we were dangerous with the pace in front. After 2-1 we were a little bit lucky.

“It was a great win and we are very proud of it.”

Southampton are looking for a place in the Europa League next season and Koeman believes they are still in with a chance of reaching their target. Saints are now three points behind Manchester United who sit in fifth.

He said: “We knew our situation, you need to be realistic about your possibilities and we need one more win.

“This victory will give everybody a lot of confidence, we like to finish the season on a high, strongly, we need one more win.

“We spoke about a special season last season, but then this season will be even more special.”

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted he did not care about the Arsenal game which started shortly after Spurs’ last home game concluded.

A win for the Gunners at Manchester City would see them level on points with Southampton with one game remaining but Pochettino is not interested in being above Arsenal.

He said: “I think that I don’t care about Arsenal, I want to win the league, I want to be on top but Arsenal I do not care about.

“Sure I want to be above them, but this I think is normal but to try to improve, to try and be bigger, we need to concentrate on us and not look what is happening with our neighbours.

“We feel disappointed (after the result against Southampton), I think that our last game at home we want to win but we are disappointed.”