Russell Martin's tenure at Southampton comes to an end after Tottenham defeat | first division

As a battle of the Premier League's most idealistic managers, it registered as a battle without result. Such was the dominance of Ange Postecoglou's version of the game's glory over Southampton's that it led to Russell Martin's misguided evangelism being suspended. The Saints' main contribution to any free-flowing football was letting the Spurs play however they wanted.

Two seasons ago, on Tottenham's previous Premier League visit to St Mary's, a spiteful 3-3 draw had preceded Antonio Conte's post-match tirade, leaving Daniel Levy and the club's executive class burning in the ears. , the Italian's last act at the Spurs. This time, Martin became the victim and Saints fans made their feelings clear.

“I don't know, man,” Martin responded to post-game questions about his job prospects. “You're talking to the wrong person.” The response of Southampton The board was fast.

For Spurs, Sunday night on the south coast turned out to be a very pleasant holiday away from the eternal existentialism of being the most fickle club in English football. If Southampton were easy prey, especially in the first half, then Tottenham's main stars rose to the occasion. There was even a part to play for a forgotten man in the first victory since Saints' Premier League team-mates Manchester City were beaten 4-0 on November 23.

“It was extraordinary,” Postecoglou said. “Tonight we had 10 first-team players unavailable. We had to leave quickly because we knew we were going to get tired. “We are demanding a lot from our players and the quality and energy shown was exceptional.”

The defensive selection looked makeshift, with Archie Gray at centre-back and right-back, and Djed Spence making his first Premier League start since arriving from Middlesbrough in August 2022. Could a discarded relic of the Antonio Conte era make an impact instant? Spence broke through the huge space in the Saints midfield and took advantage of James Maddison to score after 38 seconds and provided the answer.

“He's been patient and he's a great kid,” Maddison said. “Anyway, Djed is a pretty laid-back character, so I don't think he needed too many words of encouragement.”

Martin's team's reputation as a soft team with low levels of concentration preceded itself and increased again, this time fatally. There will be no Sunday songs of praise to the saints. Local boos and calls for Martin to leave rang out once Spurs scored their quick second, Son Heung-min scoring after Jan Bednarek helped Maddison pass the ball.

“I understand it's not personal, so I don't know them and they don't know me,” Martin said of the fans' reaction. “As a manager? Yes, of course it hurts. It hurts the team. “I understand it too.”

“We want Martin to come out” sounded when the third arrived. A Son cross found Dominic Solanke and Bednarek could only deflect the ball towards Dejan Kulusevksi. If the home fans had seen enough, so had their coach. A tactical substitution by Kamaldeen Sulemana for defender Nathan Wood in the 14th minute led to a touchline confrontation between the substituted player and his desperate coach. After completing five of six passes, the Ghanaian only had himself to blame for being the closest player to Martin. “I could have taken anyone out,” Martin said.

Saints fans rushed for the exit en masse when Pape Sarr scored the fourth in the 25th minute. Martin remained isolated and aware that, like Steve Cooper last month and Gary O'Neil on Sunday, when a manager's number increases, it is public opinion that deals the final blow. He headed down the tunnel before the half-time whistle blew, leaving Maddison unable to score his fifth from a tight angle.

Would you quit at half-time? Everything seemed possible before the low-level boos reappeared. Spurs fans, for their part, praised their manager, whose team, when they do well, gives them a lot to enjoy.

“Nothing has changed with me,” Postecoglou said. “I still have the same resolve and determination to make sure we become the club and football team we want to be. Tonight, it was really about the players.”

With Tyler Dibling at the helm and the fans who remained finding their voice, there was an improvement for the Saints. The Spurs did not go to the throat. The lack of danger on the scoreboard meant Lucas Bergvall was able to gain more experience in midfield in his first Premier League start. Gray's versatile talents are being put to good use at centre-back and he looked as composed as he did in midfield and at full-back.

Spence, substituted, left the field to a great applause. Southampton fans regained their humor with sarcastic laughter when Mateus Fernandes scored a goal offside. Not that the dark humor spared Martin, aware that his team's performance in the first half had probably doomed him. “I think we have no choice but to work and fight, and that's what I've done since I've been in this position,” he said. “And I will continue to do so until they tell me otherwise.” A little more than an hour later the inevitable news arrived.