The visitors took a surprise lead in the 12th minute with James Ward-Prowse’s superb downward volley, but the hosts leveled just nine minutes later as Ryan Sessegnon scored his first Premier League goal for Spurs with a header off the post. Antonio Conte’s side took the lead in the 31st minute as Eric Dier’s smart header – his first goal in three years – saw Spurs take the lead at half-time. A comical own goal from Southampton defender Mohamed Salisu in the 61st minute gave Tottenham their third of the afternoon with Dejan Kulusevski promptly adding a fourth with a neat curling finish. But the win came as Conte opted not to start any of his new signings with Ivan Perisic, Yves Bishouma, Clement Lenglet, Fraser Forster and Djed Spence all starting on the bench, while Richarlison was sent off. Perisic, Bissuma and Lenglet came on in the second half, but when asked why he didn’t start the new signings, the Italian explained: “I’m not surprised because I think I used common sense. “At the moment we are starting the new season and the old players achieved a great achievement last season to get a place in the Champions League. In the last 10 games, I think we played really well and had fantastic results. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said he was pleased with his Spurs performance as they swept Southampton to a 4-1 win on the opening day. “My message was very clear. I have a lot of faith in the old players and at the moment they are more reliable than the new players because they have to continue to work with us and apply their football knowledge. “With the old players I am one step ahead of the new players. That’s why I prefer to rely on the old players. I think it was right after that game and the final result. “But I’m very happy because we have new signings that will come into our process and help us improve, but at the same time they have to know that they have to compete and give me the ability to rotate. Image: New Spurs signing Ivan Perisic made a second-half substitute against Saints “Now we’ll play one game a week, but in September we start playing every three days and I definitely have to rotate. It is important for a club like Tottenham not to drop the level or the quality when they make a change. “I think it was the first goal and I was very clear with the club and the club completely agreed with me.”

How Spurs bounced back emphatically against soft Saints…

There was plenty of optimism at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after a busy period of transfer activity as Spurs fans looked forward to a Premier League home game at 3pm on Saturday in almost three years. But that hope was quickly dashed as the visitors, who embarked on three new summer signings, pulled off a shock lead with captain Ward-Prowse volleying home Moussa Djenepo’s clipped cross. Sessegnon, preferred at left wing-back ahead of Perisic, repaid Conte’s faith by quickly equalizing from Kulusevski’s cross. Image: Ryan Sessegnon celebrates Spurs’ equaliser It was another header from a defender that gave Spurs the lead as Dier continued his solid form at the end of last season and expertly nodded home Heung-Min Son’s cross. Sessegnon almost scored a second just seconds after the restart but his low finish was ruled out for offside. Despite Ralph Hasenhuttl’s half-time change in tactics, Spurs continued to swarm the Saints and their pressure paid off as Salisu comically turned in Emerson Royal’s cross (61) as he miscued his clearance. A shell-shocked Saints defense conceded again two minutes later as the excellent Kulusevski fired over in an effort to make a miserable debut for new Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu, who could do nothing about any of Spurs’ goals.

Player of the match: Dejan Kulusevski

A goal and assist from Dejan Kulusevski continued his good form from last season, with his quality on the ball causing Southampton so many problems.

Fantasy Premier League Statistics

Tottenham vs Southampton FPL Stats

Goals Sessegnon, Dier, Salisu AND, Kulusevski; Ward-Prowse It helps Kulusevski, Son, Royal (2); Djenepo Extra points Kulusevski (3pts), Ward-Prowse (2pts), Royal (1pt) Play Fantasy Premier League and see more stats here

Opta Stats: Spurs’ biggest opening day win since 1986

Tottenham’s 4-1 victory is their biggest win on the opening day of a league season since August 1986, when they beat Aston Villa (3-0). Southampton have lost all four of their opening games of a Premier League season under Ralf Hasenhutl – the worst 100% losing record for a manager in the competition. Tottenham have won 10 of their last 12 home Premier League games against Southampton (L2), scoring at least twice in nine of those games. Having lost their last four Premier League games of last season, Southampton have now lost five league games in a row for the second time under Ralf Hassenhoutl, following a run of six defeats in February 2021 – Saints have won just one of their last 13 in competition (D2 L10), sending 34 goals in total.

Hasenhuttl: It’s disappointing to see how big the gap is between the two teams

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttle: Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Ralph Hasenhuttle admits his Southampton side weren’t good enough as they lost 4-1 to Tottenham despite taking the lead through James Ward-Prowse. “It felt a little bit like the opponent was going into the next gear and we couldn’t follow,” he said. “It was disappointing to see how big the difference is between the two teams. After the first goal we felt they were absolutely in the game and they broke us with their crosses and we couldn’t defend.”

What’s next?

The London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Kick-off is at 16:30 on Sunday 14 August. Sunday 14 August 16:00 Start 16:30 Southampton are set to visit Leeds at St Mary’s on Saturday 13th August at 3pm.