Dele Alli penalty helps Tottenham down Southampton

Tottenham tightened their grip on second spot in the Premier League with a 2-1 home win over Southampton.

Spurs were without the injured Harry Kane but took only fourteen minutes to open the scoring, with Christian Eriksen cutting in from the right and slotting into the far corner after a smart turn from Moussa Dembele.

Alli doubled the lead from the penalty spot later in the first half having won the spot-kick himself when Southampton repeatedly failed to clear their lines.

The Saints rallied after the break and James Ward-Prowse marked his first England call-up with a goal but his side were unable to find another and created few chances despite Tottenham playing poorly in the second half.

The win means Spurs stay second are ten points behind Chelsea but, crucially, seven clear of Manchester United in fifth. Southampton meanwhile remain 10th.

Tottenham pass first test without Kane. Southampton went into this match in good form, having won their last two league games scoring eight goals, so it wasn’t an easy for start for the Kane-free Spurs but they got by. Son, who came in for Kane, squandered a couple of good chances but looked a threat. In his absence Tottenham need big displays from their other attackers and today Eriksen delivered.

Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur). He opened the scoring with a nice finish and was the home’s side best source of chances, impressing with his vision and range of passing. Stepped up just when his team needed someone to.

14’ – GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Southampton (Eriksen). Eriksen comes in from the right and from outside the box slots a left-footed shot past Forster into the bottom corner.

32’ – PENALTY! Some pinball in the Saints box is brought to an end by Davis catching Alli late to give away a spot kick!

33’ – GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Southampton (Alli). Alli steps up himself and goes straight down the middle to double Tottenham's lead, with Forster having dived to his left early.

45+2’ – PENALTY APPEAL! Rather than cross, Ward-Prowse lays the ball off for Bertrand who wasn't expecting it but Cedric recovers and stings Lloris' palms with a fierce shot from range. Tadic is taken out by Davis looking to get to the rebound but the referee doesn't award a penalty.

52’ – GOAL! Tottenham 2-1 Southampton (Ward-Prowse). Bertrand's cross should be easy for Alderwiereld to deal with but he misses it entirely and the ball runs to Ward-Prowse at the back post who chests before firing home.

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris 6, Walker 6, Dier 6, Alderweireld 6, Vertonghen 6, Davies 6, Wanyama 7, Dembele 7, Dele 6, Eriksen 7, Son 6. Subs: Trippier 6, Winks 7, Janssen 6.

Southampton: Forster 5, Cedric 6, Stephens 6, Yoshida 6, Bertrand 6, Romeu 6, Davis 5, Ward-Prowse 6, Tadic 5, Redmond 5, Gabbiadini 6. Subs: Long 5, Boufal 5, Rodriguez 5

Tottenham have won ten home Premier League games on the bounce – a club record.

Alli has scored four goals in three games versus Southampton, and also netted in each of his last four games.

Spurs have won eight of the last ten meetings between these two.