Saints grind point at Spurs

Sergei Rebrov holds off the challenge of Jason Dodd

Tottenham 0-0 Southampton

A Ledley King header off the crossbar was the only highlight in a dull goalless encounter at White Hart Lane.

The Spurs midfielder latched onto Sergei Rebrov's 65th minute cross, but his looping header rebounded off the crossbar to safety.

His chance was the only highlight of a second half bereft of genuine entertainment - and any sort of cohesive midfield play.

I thought we lacked confidence in the first half, hence the mistakes that we made

  George Graham

Spurs maintained their unbeaten home record - but the Tottenham faithful will be less than happy with an inadequate performance in front of Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle.

The return of the prodigal son to White Hart Lane should have motivated Spurs to reproduce the stylish football Hoddle famously produced during the 1980s.

But the Spurs midfield - missing Tim Sherwood - lacked width and inspiration, handing Rebrov the almost impossible task of single-handedly creating any possible goalscoring chances.

Mark Draper and Ledley King embodied the midfield battle

Tottenham's first half performance did not befit a side unbeaten at home this campaign.

Ian Walker, making his first appearance this season, was the difference between the two sides in the first 45 minutes.

He made an immediate impression within three minutes, saving from Tahar El Kalej.

In for the suspended Neil Sullivan, Walker made further stops from Hassan Kachloul and Saints' top-scorer James Beattie, who failed to capitalise on a defensive mistake from Gary Doherty on 22 minutes.

We created five really quite easy chances and we really should have punished Spurs

  Glenn Hoddle

The home side's attacking ambitions were dealt a severe blow when Les Ferdinand was taken off with injury.

His withdrawal forced George Graham to reshuffle his already makeshift side with the introduction of Dave McEwen after only 20 minutes.

Spurs' only chance of the first half was Stephen Clemence's powerful 25-yard strike, brilliantly saved low to his right by Paul Jones.

But the fact it was his only save of the half illustrated Spurs' attacking deficiencies.

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Tottenham: Walker, Freund, Campbell, Perry, Anderton, Ferdinand, Rebrov, Doherty, Young, Clemence, King. Subs: Segers, Leonhardsen, Thatcher, McEwen, Davies.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Lundekvam, Richards, Oakley, Draper, Davies, Beattie, Bridge, El Khalej, Kachloul. Subs: Moss, Marsden, Rosler, Pahars, Soltvedt.

Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucester)