Beattie beats Spurs

Former Saints defender Dean Richards holds off Beattie

Southampton 1-0 Spurs

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Southampton climbed to sixth place in the Premiership table after an 82nd-minute James Beattie goal condemned Spurs to defeat.

The dress rehearsal for the FA Cup third round tie between two sides separated only by goal difference in the league at the start of the day had looked to be heading for a draw.

But as Spurs adopted a more attacking formation - Glenn Hoddle introduced Darren Anderton and Gus Poyet - Beattie popped up to crash the ball past Kasey Keller.

The defeat once again exposed Spurs deficiencies on the road - Hoddle's side have picked up just 11 points away from White Hart Lane this season.

Premiership pictures

Frustratingly before Beattie's goal, Antti Niemi had been the busiest of the two keepers.

No more so than in the 59th minute when he saved Steffen Iversen's close range header.

The goal summed up everything about James in terms of determination and power

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan

A minute later the Finn denied Teddy Sheringham after brilliant work by Robbie Keane had put the former England man one-on-one with Niemi.

While Beattie claimed his 13th goal of the season, Keane suffered a more frustrating match.

Keane has scored six goals this season

He might well have given Tottenham the lead within a minute of the restart, pouncing on a through ball and hitting a crisp shot which Niemi blocked with his legs.

In the 59th minute Keane's enterprise once more threatened danger.

This time he ran on to a long punt out of defence and seemed to have outstripped defender Michael Svensson before turning inside to send a left-foot shot past the upright.

On two minutes Stephen Carr swung in a free kick from the right onto the head of the unmarked Keane, who glanced his header past Niemi but wide of the far post.

In the last two games we should have had four points and we've got nothing.

Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle

Just past the half-hour Keane had another chance when he latched onto a weak backpass by Fabrice Fernandes but the Irishman fluffed his attempt.

Paul Telfer came close to giving Southampton the lead in the 22nd minute, unleashing a thunderous right-foot shot from 20 yards which Keller was happy to palm away.

Soon after Goran Bunjevcevic's appeals for a penalty were turned down by referee Mark Halsey when it seemed Saints midfielder Chris Marsden had handled the ball in the area.

Watch a round up of the Premiership action from New Year's Day

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Southampton: Niemi, Telfer, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Bridge, Fernandes (Davies 90), Delap, Oakley, Marsden, Beattie, Ormerod (Tessem 45).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Williams, Anders Svensson.

Tottenham: Keller, Perry, Richards, King, Carr, Bunjevcevic (Poyet 68), Freund, Taricco (Anderton 68), Sheringham, Keane, Iversen (Acimovic 87).
Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Thatcher.

Attendance: 31,890.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).