Tottenham player ratings vs Southampton: Lucas Bergvall and Djed Spence impress; James Maddison sublime | OneFootball

The two youngsters were handed rare starts and looked at home

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Tottenham thrashed sorry Southampton 5-0 at St. Mary’s to lift the mood ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Thursday.

James Maddison broke the deadlock after just 36 seconds with his first of two well-taken goals and Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski and Pape Matar Sarr also found the the net as Spurs scored five times in the opening 45 minutes for the first time in the Premier League.

Here’s how we rated the Spurs players at St. Mary’s…

Fraser Forster 7

Did not have a serious save to make on his return to his former club but was beaten by Mateus Fernandes’ second-half header – only for it to be correctly ruled out for offside.

Djed Spence 8

Made the opening goal on his long-awaited first Spurs start, turning Flynn Downes, driving forward and playing in Maddison. Composed on both sides of defence, switching to left-back after Destiny Udogie’s injury.

Radu Dragusin 7

Occasionally stretched in the second half but this was as easy as Premier League games come.

Archie Gray 7

The perfect occasion for the teenager to continue to get a feel for centre-half. Composed on the ball and held his position well.

Destiny Udogie 7

Forced off after a collision in the build up to the third goal. Spurs will desperately hope it is nothing serious.

Lucas Bergvall 8

Put in an assured display at the base of midfield on his first Premier League start. Involved in the build-up to the first goal, and will be better for this experience.

Pape Matar Sarr 8

Revelled in the freedom Saints afforded him, spraying crossfield passes around the park. Took his goal well after jinking into the box.

James Maddison 9

Enjoyed the chance to express himself from the moment he ran through to give Spurs a 36-second lead. His two finishes, particularly the second, were excellent and he was at the heart of their best moves in the first half.

Dejan Kulusevski 8

Scored for a third consecutive game in an encouraging sign that he is starting to ramp up his end product. Not at his scintillating best but full of clever flicks and covered the ground, as usual.

Heung-min Son 9

Scored one, set up two more and forced two sharp saves from Alex McCarthy in a clinical first-half display. Hooked at the interval, presumably to give him a rest before Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Dominic Solanke 6

Will be frustrated he did not get in on the act. Worked hard but offered no goal threat against an abject Saints defence.

Subs

Pedro Porro 6

Nutmegged by a Kyle Walker-Peters' shot in one of Saints’ best openings. Postecoglou will be frustrated that the Spaniard could not be given a night off.

Brennan Johnson (Son 46’) 6

Might have added a late sixth in stoppage-time but skewed his effort over the bar from close range.

Alfie Dorrington (Spence 76’) 6

The teenager made his Spurs debut and was assured in the final 15 minutes.

Timo Werner (Maddison 76’) 6

The German worked hard on a late cameo after Postecoglou’s unflinching assessment of his performance against Rangers on Thursday night, creating a late chance for Johnson.

Will Lankshear (Solanke 81’) 6

Another brief opportunity for the teenager striker.

Not used: Austin, King, Hardy, Olusesi.

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