Sothampton...4 Tottenham...0Gordon Strachan's Southampton are getting results, drawing admiration and winning over neutrals along the way. Only those with a Spurs allegiance could have failed to warm to Southampton lighting up the southern night sky in this FA Cup third round tie on Saturday.
That Glenn Hoddle was tasting the cup of bitterness here heightened Southampton's delight. Anyone still viewing his defection as a loss to the Saints would be insulting his successor. Strachan is shaping a skilful, coherent and hugely energetic team; when they had finished here, Spurs were a thing of rags and tatters.
Strachan hailed this as the best performance of his Southampton management: "As good as it gets, and you can't get that every week, it's impossible."
Those believing simplicity is the hallmark of good teams had a field day here. "Four-four-two, that's the way we play - we don't confuse them," said Strachan. Hoddle knew that already, and countered with a veritable dossier of formations which failed, though some were forced on him as the game ran away.
Tottenham hardly made a tackle in self-defence. Southampton's third goal was a damning illustration. Anders Svensson was allowed to carry the ball, unchallenged, from inside the centre-circle into the penalty area and shoot past Kasey Keller.
The loss of Dean Richards, who has had a scan on a knee injury, had sounded a warning for Tottenham. And the departure of Chris Perry at half-time, leaving only King as the last genuine centre-back, had the alarm bells clanging violently.
Keller had allowed James Beattie's free-kick to bounce off his chest for Michael Svensson to poke home. Shortly before the interval Tottenham should have been reduced to 10 men after Mike Dean - not one card all night - allowed Ben Thatcher to escape with two fouls in short order on Beattie.
Thatcher stayed on, but it scarcely mattered. Southampton's football flowed, and so did the goals. Beattie also created the second, the killer blow, his angled pass seeing Jo Tessem drive low into the far corner. Six minutes later came the impressive Anders Svensson's go-it-alone strike and, finally, the one the raucous Beattie fan club had been waiting for. Kevin Davies crossed, Beattie's header was parried by Keller and the rebound was half-volleyed home. Thank you and goodnight, Tottenham.
It is a testament to Strachan that his small squad maintains the speed and stamina which enables players to gain - and regain - possession so quickly. "Lack of fitness makes criminals of people," said Strachan. "My players are not hiding, they're going everywhere." The reward is two days' rest because "the players who are doing it are running on empty."
Adorning all this is the delightful left foot of Fabrice Fernandes. "He runs more than anybody else in the team, and he can play on his right foot as well. I think he was absolutely fantastic," said Strachan.
Keane apart, following the Irish striker's four, largely self-made shots at goal, for Hoddle there was no redeeming performances. "I hope it hurts everyone at the club. I want it to hurt. The more it hurts, the more we will respond. You want everyone to dwell on it."
SOUTHAMPTON: Niemi, Telfer, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Bridge, Fernandes, Delap, Marsden (Anders Svensson 27), Oakley, Beattie (Ormerod 87), Tessem (Davies 79). Subs Not Used: Jones, Williams. Goals: Michael Svensson 13, Tessem 50, Anders Svensson 56, Beattie 80.
TOTTENHAM: Keller, Carr, Perry (Anderton 46), King, Taricco, Davies (Doherty 73), Freund (Iversen 65), Poyet, Thatcher, Keane, Sheringham. Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Bunjevcevic.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral)
