Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli goals cancelled out Southhampton's Graziano Pelle strikes
Southampton's Graziano Pelle, left, scores past Tottenham Hotspur's Ben Davies during the English Premier League soccer match at St Mary's, Southampton (Photo: AP)
London: Tottenham Hotspur remain a point above Southampton in the Premier League’s Europa League qualifying race after twice cancelling out goals by Graziano Pelle in a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Pelle exploited mistakes by Ryan Mason and Ben Davies to poke hosts Southampton in front in the 29th minute, but Erik Lamela equalised just before half-time when Eric Dier’s cross hit his arm and flew past Kelvin Davis.
Pelle restored the visitors’ lead with a thumping header from substitute Shane Long’s cross 20 minutes into the second half, only for Nacer Chadli to level five minutes later after running onto a pass from Dier. Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino, making his first return to St Mary’s since leaving Southampton last year, saw his side move a point above Liverpool and into fifth place in the table.
Southampton also stole above Liverpool, on goal difference, but Brendan Rodgers’s side now have two games in hand on both Southampton and Spurs, starting with a trip to West Bromwich Albion later on Saturday.
Liverpool, Bromwich in stalemate
Meanwhile, Liverpool failed to make ground on the Champions League places after drawing 0-0 at West Bromwich Albion in captain Steven Gerrard’s 500th league game. Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe came closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot that hit the crossbar after a one-two with Mario Balotelli. It left Brendan Rodgers’s six points below the top four in fifth place, but they remain in pole position in the Europa League qualifying race after Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2 at Southampton.
( Source : AFP )
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