Our 3️⃣ points as Ryan Mason wins first game in charge of Spurs | OneFootball

Tottenham launched an impressive second-half comeback to beat Southampton in Ryan Mason’s first game in charge.

Here are three points we took from the game …

Welcome to the big time

Enjoy it while you can, Ryan Mason. As of this moment, you are the youngest Premier League manager in history – with the best win percentage in Tottenham history.

And it didn’t look like that was possible at half time. Spurs were completely off the pace, lethargic and couldn’t get close to an energetic Southampton side.

But they regrouped and came out a different side after the break. Some small tactical tweaks helped free their more creative players and although it wasn’t pretty, they got the job done.

It’s unlikely Mason will be named permanent manager this summer but he has the job until then – so that’s eight more games to live every minute. Top four anybody?

Different kind of Bale

The Gareth Bale we remember? The one that was ripping up the Premier League, with searing pace, athleticism and long range shooting?

Well one of those qualities remains and hint: it’s not the first two. He was largely anonymous throughout the game but once he got into a dangerous shooting position – goal.

Everybody loses some athleticism but Bale can still be a useful asset to Spurs purely down to finishing alone. His goal oozed quality and more importantly, gave them a lifeline.

With José Mourinho out the door and Mason in the hot-seat, this could be the fairytale ending fans and the player were hoping for.

Jekyll and Hyde

Southampton have endured a mixed season under Ralph Hasenhüttl and their Jekyll and Hyde up habits were on display once again.

They were relentless in the first half – pressing from the front and breaking with great intensity – as Spurs struggled to string three passes together.

But the dynamic completely changed after half time, as the Saints sat off and allowed Tottenham back into the game, offering zero threat up front.

We can feel the frustration because they deserve to be picking up points. But it’s another defeat and questions need to be asked.