Dream Training : The Champions

Southampton started the first half kick-off. George devised his strategy against Tottenham. Compared to Leicester, George found Tottenham easier to deal with. The reason, Tottenham was very lacking in teamwork. In the few games, Tottenham had been analyzed. Their weak point was in midfielders. Christian Eriksen was not able to handle his duties as the core of the game.

Eriksen was typically a constructive rather than creative midfielder. Eriksen rarely made long-range passes like Moric did, but he often made short passes to organize the team. It was a shame that Tottenham's strategy was the opposite of Eriksen's ability. This was a tactical mistake made by Andre-Villa Boas.

In the 7th minute, Southampton began to attack Tottenham, the attack was initiated by the overlapping movement of Vicente's figure. Vicente went into midfield, Simone who noticed Vicente's movement immediately gave him a progressive pass. Vicente received the ball from Simone, at the same time Mousa Dembélé moved to stop Vicente.

Joe Bennet appeared as a pass option. Vicente gave the ball to Bennett. As the ball approached him, Bennett flicked the ball to the left. Around him was Eriksen who was chasing Bennett. The attacking midfielder sent the ball to Kazuki. Then Kazuki returned the ball to Bennet when Bennet had passed Eriksen. Then, on the right side, Rustan broke into the Tottenham penalty box. Bennett gave Rustan a gouged pass.

Rustan headed the ball slowly, then he sent a powerful shot towards the goalpost. Llorente charged towards the ball. He pounced on the ball nimbly. Southampton's attack ended in failure, but it was a warning for Tottenham.

On the sidelines, Andre-Villa Boas shouted angrily.

"Don't just walk, dammit! Run! Go after the ball! Don't let them attack!" Boas used hands as a signal. Boas' action that was so striking was also highlighted by the camera.

The game continued, Tottenham was trying to attack Southampton. Eriksen gave the ball to Moussa Dembélé which went wide to the left. When receiving the ball, the figure of Orlando immediately hit Dembélé. Dembélé seems to have lost his balance. Then, Rustan stole the ball from Dembélé's feet, he turned and sent a pass in the direction of Bennet.

Bennett received the ball, he turned to the left and kicked the ball towards Wright-Phillips. Wright-Phillips dashed forward. He then pushed the ball diagonally into the penalty box. Kazuki ran quickly. Kazuki kicked the ball firmly towards the net. But Dawson blocked the kick. The ball bounced to the left. Zouma quickly grabbed the ball. He then adjusted his position and dashed forward. Wright-Phillips tried to hold off Zouma, but the defender ran too fast. Wright-Phillips tried to tug at Zouma's shirt, but was too late.

Zouma kicked the ball to the middle, Flaminho received the ball from Zouma. He then passed the ball forward. Shradder rushed towards the Southampton defense. He sent a cross into the penalty box. Luminaire adjusted his position and headed the ball. But the goalkeeper caught the ball easily.

In the 10th minute, Southampton got a free kick in front of the penalty box. Bennet was the one who executed the free kick. Kazuki purposely gave the free kick to Bennett. On this day, Bennett played well, looks like he was in good perform.

After the referee blew the whistle, Bennett kicked the ball hard. The ball curled past the human fence, it then grazed the right side of the goalpost. At that moment, Llorente jumped to the right. His finger managed to hit the ball, but the ball bounced into the net. Bennet immediately swung his arm vigorously. He did not expect his free kick to end with a goal.

Southampton's players hug Bennett. They congratulated Bennett. Meanwhile, Southampton fans cheered to celebrate the goal.

"Goaaaall! Bennett had a quality free-kick. Southampton scored the first goal of the game."

In the 18th minute, the game continued, Tottenham again tried to break into Southampton's goal. Tottenham's counter-attack started from Kyle Walker's quick movement on the left side. The Tottenham left-back broke past Rustan. Then, he made a one-two with Flaminho after which he burst into the Southampton box. After that, he gave a flat pass to Saldado. Tottenham right-winger Saldado kicked the ball hardly.

Hilton blocked Saldado's kick. Then, the ball bounced in front of the penalty box. Simone met the ball and threw the ball off the field. Southampton managed to hold off Tottenham's attack.

In the 23rd minute, Orlando snatched the ball from Eriksen, and then he gave Simone a pass. The Southampton captain gave the ball to Rustan. Rustan was confronting with Kyle Walker, in a duel of speed, Rustan failed to beat Kyle Walker, but the Tottenham left-back failed to clear the ball properly, so that the corner kick was given to Southampton.

Bennett got ready to kick the ball, he signaled to the Southampton players gathered in the Tottenham penalty area. As soon as the referee blew the whistle, Bennet kicked the ball hard. The ball curled into the penalty box. The players fought each other for the ball in the penalty box, finally, Anderson got the ball, he kicked the ball out of the penalty box.

In the 28th minute, Tottenham got a very good chance. Eriksen's movement in the middle failed to be guarded by Orlando and Simone. He broke away from the care of Eriksen's midfielders. Then, he received the ball from Moussa Dembélé, then penetrated into the penalty box.

He then passed horizontally to the left, Shradder's figure managed to kick the ball firmly into the net. Dean Smith's leg outstretched, he managed to block the ball just in time. The ball was then discarded by Okhalo.

In the 33rd minute, Bennet ran fast, he then received the ball, and tricked Eriksen, soon, he passed it. Bennet's action caught the attention of Tottenham defenders. On the right side of the figure of Orlando entered the penalty box quietly. At the right moment, Bennett gave the ball to Orlando. At the same time, Rustan broke into the penalty box. Orlando gave Rustan a back-pass. Then, Rustan passed the ball to Kazuki.

Kazuki adjusted his position, he gave a volley towards the goalpost. Llorente jumped up trying to hit the ball, but the shot was too strong and directed, so he failed to get the ball. The ball hits the net. Under the frozen stares of the Tottenham players, Kazuki scored Southampton's second goal.

The goal put tremendous pressure on Tottenham. After kick-off, the team nicknamed Lilywhite attacked Southampton fiercely. Southampton defended neatly, they were able to withstand the fierce pressure that Tottenham exerted. Until the first half ended, Tottenham failed to score. They ended the first half with their heads down. Tottenham trailed 2-0 to Southampton.

In the second half, Tottenham must come back, or they will fail in this match.