Classy Tottenham open campaign with Southampton thrashing

Tottenham recovered from going a goal down to impressively dispatch Southampton 4-1 in their Premier League opener and show their new strength in depth.

Deadly duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min failed to get on the scoresheet, but it was fellow attacker Dejan Kulusevski who stole the show in London.

Sweden international Kulusevski set up the equaliser for Ryan Sessegnon before he fired home a brilliant fourth after the break in between an Eric Dier header and Mohammed Salisu’s own goal.

It backed up the growing anticipation around Antonio Conte’s side, who have been tipped by many to join champions Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race this season.

When James Ward-Prowse put Saints into a shock early lead, those predictions appeared wide of the mark but the hosts regrouped immediately to start the season in strong fashion.

After Southampton had dealt with a number of early crosses into the area, they had little answer in the 21st minute when Kulusevski checked back on to his left foot and wonderfully curled in for Sessegnon, who leapt above Kyle Walker-Peters to power home the equaliser.

Visiting boss Ralph Hasenhuttl had no such hesitation in throwing in his summer additions with former Manchester City youngsters Gavin Bazunu and teenager Romeo Lavia both in from the off while Joe Aribo also debuted.

It took 12 minutes for the first legitimate chance to present itself and Southampton took full advantage to open the scoring through Ward-Prowse.

Moussa Djenepo got away from Emerson Royal down the left and chipped back to the edge of the area where his captain Ward-Prowse fired home on the volley, his effort bouncing into the ground and beating Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris.

The hosts reacted well to conceding though