Tottenham's Win Over Southampton May Be Turning Point for Pochettino and Spurs

Tottenham's 1-0 win over Southampton at White Hart Lane may prove to be a watershed in the tenure of Mauricio Pochettino. 

Before now, Spurs had beaten of pair of genuine relegation candidates in QPR and West Ham, a championship team in Nottingham Forest and Cypriot side AEL Limassol. 

Without even a solid performance against legitimate opposition, there was little that Pochettino could point to in the way of progress. 

After having now dispatched a very strong side at White Hart Lane, confidence and self-belief will surge. 

Before the match, some Spurs players were already beginning to question Pochettino's methods, according to Jason Burt of The Telegraph. This victory will come as a much-needed reminder of what his philosophy can achieve when applied effectively. 

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Spurs began the game playing a surprisingly energetic pressing game much closer to the style so effectively employed at Southampton last season. Both sides pushed their defences high and closed each other down aggressively. 

This was unprecedented for Pochettino's Spurs. 

Neither side showed much interest in a considered build-up. Rather, both played long balls at every opportunity.

Victor Wanyama was being forced into quick, long passes, which he doesn't execute particularly well. 

During pre-season, Spurs regularly adopted this style for certain periods of matches or even halves of some games. During the season, Pochettino has been unwilling to risk throwing caution to the wind and has gradually incorporated aspects of his philosophy.

Against QPR, Spurs were snappy and aggressive without the ball. In the north London Derby, they played the ball quickly out to the wings as soon as they won possession. This was the first time Spurs tried to apply Pochettino's vigorous pressing game in combination with the quick release. 

Both sides were combative in the opening stages and referee Mick Stone should probably have booked players on both sides to calm things down, but as the half wore on, it was Spurs creating the better chances. 

Sadio Mane was proving a tricky customer for Spurs' defence, though, and it took an artful intervention from Younes Kaboul to prevent him opening the scoring after half an hour. 

Kaboul appeared to be continuing his impressive Derby form, but he waxed and waned throughout. 

Kyle Naughton enjoyed an impressive return to the first team against Arsenal, so it was a great shame when he was carried off in the 32nd minute.

"

Kyle Naughton leaves WHL on crutches and with his foot in a protective cast #thfc

— David Hytner (@DaveHytner) October 5, 2014"

Nacer Chadli's goal-bound header was cleared by Ryan Bertrand, and Christian Eriksen's shot from distance was inches wide of Fraser Forster's left-hand post. 

Spurs were right on top, and as Southampton continued to allow Eriksen time and space in dangerous positions, he made them pay. 

"

3 - Christian Eriksen (three) has scored more Premier League goals against Southampton than any other team. Marching.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 5, 2014"

In the 40th minute, Emmanuel Adebayor charged down Southampton's right flank and pushed his pass inside to Nacer Chadli. Chadli flicked the ball back to Eriksen who, from the top of the box, rifled a shot past Forster and inside his right post to give Spurs the lead. 

Nacer Chadli almost completed a textbook counter-attack minutes later, but his shot rebounded off the inside of the post and straight to a Southampton defender. 

Spurs carried their lead into halftime, and ultimately, Eriksen's goal was the winner. 

This was a very impressive performance by an improving team. Southampton's four-match winning streak seemed ominous as it coincided with a similarly long winless run for Spurs. 

But Pochettino's Tottenham are beginning to flourish. A solid defensive performance against Arsenal gave hope that the corner was approaching. Now, it has been turned. 

Tottenham's midfield now seems to be set. Etienne Capoue has made the defensive midfield position his own. His idiosyncratic defensive style is extremely effective, and he uses his long legs expertly to lift possession when the ball-carrier seems to have escaped him. Capoue made an excellent tackle to prompt Chadli's chance on the counter, but it was only one of many such interventions as the Frenchman continues to grow in confidence. 

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

He provides the perfect platform for Ryan Mason and Eriksen to operate in the more advanced areas. Mason, too, is growing into his role. Somewhere roughly between the other two, Mason has a nasty streak which dovetails nicely with his passing range and vision. 

Spurs' midfield is, arguably, complete. Moussa Dembele, Paulinho, Benjamin Stambouli and Nabil Bentaleb provide power and intelligence in depth. They are all, perhaps excluding Dembele, capable of following the lead of Capoue, Eriksen and Mason. 

Of course, the breathtaking Hugo Lloris is also a key part of what Spurs are trying to do. Without Lloris, they would simply be incapable of pushing so high or so aggressively. 

"

Is there a keeper better than Lloris at the moment? After witnessing his last two top class performances I'll argue with anyone. #THFC

— Troy Townsend (@Towno10) October 5, 2014"

The victory over Southampton will represent a key moment for this Tottenham team. They proved that they can execute a complex and high tempo game plan against a competent opponent. Crucially, they demonstrated that they can force the tempo of a match—something they have struggled with in recent seasons. 

The international break now comes at an interesting time for Tottenham. While they will benefit from the extra time between games, and a number of injured squad players could use the time to recover, they may lose momentum. 

Spurs' next league game comes on October 18, away at Man City. That will be the ultimate barometer of progress. If Spurs can take their aggressive approach to the Etihad and carve out a result, the Rubicon will truly have been crossed.