Claude Puel: Tottenham Hotspur didn’t deserve Premier League win over Southampton
Southampton manager Claude Puel (left) and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino gesture on the touchline (pic: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport). - Credit: EMPICS Sport
Saints French boss frustrated with defeat at White Hart Lane and questioned decision to award Spurs a penalty
Southampton manager Claude Puel didn’t feel Tottenham Hotspur deserved to claim all three points from Sunday’s Premier League game at White Hart Lane.
Christen Eriksen opened the scoring for Spurs after 14 minutes with a stunning strike before Dele Alli made it 2-0 from the penalty spot.
James Ward-Prowse pulled one back for Saints seven minutes after the break, but the hosts eventually held on for a 2-1 win.
Puel said: “It was a good second half, but it was a strange game in the first half because without Tottenham putting us under a lot of pressure, we were 2-0 down, so it was difficult to accept.
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“It was difficult to accept the second goal too, but the second half was better and also interesting because we made a good recovery.
“We didn’t find a clinical edge to finish off our situations, yet I think a draw would have been normal for me.”
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The Saints boss was also unhappy with the performance of referee Andre Marriner last weekend and his officials.
Alli won Tottenham a penalty just past the half an hour mark as he nipped in ahead of Steven Davis and was brought down inside the area.
Puel felt if that decision warranted a spot-kick, then Southampton should have also been given a first-half penalty.
Ben Davies appeared to catch Dusan Tadic inside the area just before the break, but Marriner failed to point to the spot.
“If the referee gives a penalty for the first then he needed to give a penalty for us. I cannot see the difference,” said Puel.
“The two teams were both at the same level with quality and it was difficult for both of us to find good opportunities.
“Both teams tried to play good football, without a lot of chances, but we had a good attitude and spirit and come back in the second half with some good decisions and play.
“We got the first goal quickly and it is disappointing to lose because I felt we deserved a draw against Tottenham.”
Spurs claimed the victory, however, to remain second in the table and 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.
