Spurs sneak past Southampton

Gylfi Sigurdsson drove in a stoppage-time goal to complete Tottenham’s fight back from two goals down to beat Southampton 3-2 in the Premier League and stay in touch with the Champions League places.

Mistakes by Kyle Naughton had allowed Southampton to establish a two-goal lead through Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana inside 28 minutes.

But Christian Eriksen reduced the deficit from close range in the 31st minute from Naughton’s cross and he slotted in the equaliser a minute into the second half.

Eriksen turned provider in stoppage time to allow second-half substitute Sigurdsson to produce the winner from distance and ensure Tottenham returned to fifth place, six points behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand in the fourth Champions League qualification place.

Stoke thrash Villa

In the day’s other match, Stoke City came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park to climb to 10th in the table, one place and three points above their opponents.

Southampton dominated the opening period with delightful one-touch football and mistakes from Spurs right back Kyle Naughton enabled them to take a 2-0 lead after 28 minutes.

Jay Rodriguez pounced on a loose ball after Naughton misjudged a clearance in the sunshine from goalkeeper Artur Boruc, placing a perfect angled shot wide of Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris for his 15th goal of the season.

Naughton’s next mistake, when he failed to clear on the edge of his own box, allowed Adam Lallana to plant the ball past Lloris for Southampton’s second.

Saints right back Nathaniel Clyne allowed Spurs back into the game four minutes later when he let a cross from Naughton under his studs allowing the ball to run on to Eriksen who slammed in from close range.

Within a minute of the restart Spurs were level when Roberto Soldado out-muscled defender Dejan Lovren before crossing for Eriksen to score from point-blank range.

Sigurdsson, a halftime substitute for Moussa Dembele, completed the comeback with a fierce low drive.

The 10 goals scored on Sunday took the weekend’s tally to 42, the most in the Premier League since December 2012.