Chapter 45: You Can Always Trust Erickson

'Don't panic when you're pressed by Southampton, think about how you deal with it in training.

Even if you concede a goal, you don't have to be too nervous, we can definitely score goals with their style of play, you have to trust your teammates.

I'm sure you'll be able to win at home today, even if it's a warm-up for the next two big matches. ”

In the 31st round of the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, who are fourth in the standings, sat at White Hart Lane to face Southampton, who are ranked eighth.

Club president Levy also came to watch the game today.

He never spoke to anyone about Pochettino, who was the manager he had once favored.

If it weren't for Benjamin's appearance, perhaps Levy would have chosen to bring in the Argentine at the end of the season to coach Tottenham.

Therefore, Levy is also eager to see who will have the last laugh in the direct confrontation between Benjamin and Pochettino.

The first leg of the season between the two teams was led by Sherwood as the team's acting head coach.

Southampton opened the scoring in that game, before Bam Adebayor scored twice to help Tottenham win 3-2 away.

Back at home today, Benjamin felt that he couldn't possibly be inferior to Sherwood.

Kane received a pass from Eriksen and fired a shot at goal, but Lovren's outstretched foot was blocked off the line.

In the second minute of the game, Eriksen took a corner kick and defender Vertonghen, who was ambushed in front of the post, grabbed the first point.

It's a pity that the Belgian's header hit the top of the goal too right, and the ball was easily picked off by Saints goalkeeper Boruc.

Mauricio Pochettino's side weren't just defensive, though, as Southampton counter-attacked in the sixth minute.

Lallana sent a through ball down the middle, but Lambert, who had received a pass from his team-mate, had no chance to hit the ball straight at goal.

After a slight adjustment, Tottenham's defenders had dropped back into place in time for Lambert to choose to pass the ball back to Lallana.

After the opening, Lallana, who was active, hit the stands with an anti-aircraft gun.

Two minutes later, it was another Southampton chance.

Steven Davies sent in a clever pass near the halfway line and Jay Rodriguez slotted home.

At this time, Ronaldo is not Hames, but Southampton's England striker Jay Rodriguez.

Fortunately, the linesman raised the flag to signal offside, and the goal was invalidated.

But the visitors' attack also sent Tottenham's backline into a cold sweat.

"Press! Offensive! ”

As the saying goes, offense is the best defense.

After manager Benjamin's shouting, the whole Tottenham team pressed and continued to besiege Southampton's gates.

Sadio Mane got rid of a defender on the left flank and cleverly crossed, but Eriksen in front and Lamela at the back post both missed the good shot.

Alderweireld sent a long ball over the top from the back, and Harry Kane slotted it out of the opposition back line, but the ball was cleared by the onrushing Boruc.

With Southampton's defenders out of position, Tottenham wasted another chance to open the scoring.

After a long time of attacking, Benjamin had a bad feeling in his heart.

Wasted opportunities are punishable.

As he expected, in the twentieth minute, the Saints launched a counterattack.

Goalkeeper Boruc picked up Tottenham's cross and drove forward with a big foot.

Jay Rodriguez broke through the Tottenham defence and faced goalkeeper Lloris with a one-on-one effort to score.

Tottenham 0-1 Southampton.

Yes, it was Benjamin who made the whole team press the attack, but when the opponent is ready to counterattack, the players on the field should switch from attack to defense in time and find a way to block the opponent's counterattack in the middle.

The goal conceded this time was very undeserved, and the Tottenham players were still a little careless.

However, Benjamin had made it very clear before the game that there was no need to panic even if he lost the ball, and the players on the field did it.

Kane received Lamela's low cross from the edge of the box and his right-footed volley grazed the post.

If Kane doesn't score a goal in this game, there will definitely be media and fans who blame Benjamin for not letting Kane continue to start and stay in shape.

In the 28th minute, the visitors were awarded a free-kick in front of the penalty area.

Youngster WardProwse kicked the ball towards the wall, and in the scuffle, Walker made a mistake in clearing the ball and passed it to Lambert.

Lambert split the ball in time to Lallana on the right flank, and the Saints captain followed up with a low shot!

Just when Lloris had given up, Kante appeared out of nowhere and flew to the ball with a barb.

Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris shouted at the defender in front of him, and Benjamin saw it all.

Three minutes later, Sadio Mane broke down the left flank and then fired a low ball into the six-yard box.

Southampton defender Klein in front of goal made a mistake in clearing, and the unmarked Eriksen pushed a left-footed shot!

It was too close for Saints goalkeeper Boruc to make a save and the ball slipped into the bottom left corner of the goal line.

One-to-one!

Tottenham equalised in the thirtieth minute!

Benjamin just waved his right arm in a shallow celebration.

After all, it's just an ordinary league game, and the opponent is just an ordinary team like Southampton.

You can always trust Erikson!

It's a pity that Modric had already left the team to join Real Madrid when Benjamin took over, and he really wanted to work with the world's No. 1 midfielder who was born as a sheep herder.

Eriksen is just as good in comparison, but seems to be weaker in every way except set-pieces.

In Tottenham's situation, it's a bit difficult to keep top players.

Honor and money must be satisfied with at least one, or even preferably both.

There will be real top players who are willing to play for Tottenham, otherwise they can only be like Modric and Bale, who will switch to giants after playing.

Thinking a little farther, Benjamin sighed that there was a long way to go, and returned his attention to the game in front of him.

As the first half drew to a close and Southampton's formation was reverted, the visitors' intention should be to end the draw and restart the second half.

But Tottenham's players didn't give in, and in the 45th minute, Lamela stepped up and launched a counterattack on the spot.

Danny Rose played a high ball into the box from the wing, but Southampton's box was packed with defenders.

Just when everyone thought that the attack would be in vain, the first half of the game was over.

A figure in a white jersey emerges from the crowd, jumps high and nods backwards!

In fact, Rose's crosses are not of high quality, but the ball speed is very fast, which makes it difficult for teammates to receive it, and it is not easy for opposing players to deal with it.

Harry Kane seized the opportunity and slotted in with a header from the front post!

Although it only changed the direction of the ball slightly, it was fast enough to fly straight towards the goal after Kane rubbed it.

The incident happened suddenly, and it was too late for Southampton goalkeeper Boruc to find out that something was wrong.

"The ball is in! Two to one!

Before the end of the first half, Tottenham Hotspur, who were playing at home, overtook the score!

Teenager Harry Kane's header scores! ”

At half-time, the home side who conceded a goal turned the lead in time, which also allowed the Tottenham players to return to the dressing room in a more relaxed mood.