Premier League

TOTTENHAM 4 (Sessegnon 21, Dier 30, Salisu 60 og, Kulusevski 62)
SOUTHAMPTON 1 (Ward-Prowse 11)

TOTTENHAM have started the season like a kid who has had a coming-of-age summer holiday – and returned to class beefier than the school bully.

That is the effect Antonio Conte and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have had on the club – and this swatting aside of a Southampton side who turned Spurs over six months ago at home is another barometer of progress being made.

Speaking after this afternoons 4-1 win – which saw goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier and Dejan Kulusevski, along with an own-goal by Mohammed Salisu – Conte said: “It was a really good start. It was important to react after going 1-0 down despite starting well. The reaction was good. We kept calm, and we continued to play the way we know.”

Conte also said that the new bodies would mean his side could perform at a consistent level even when they play midweek Champions League matches from September.

The Spurs boss added: “They [the new signings] will help us improve. They have to fight and give me the possibility to make rotations. It is important not to drop the level of quality when you make those rotations. That was the first target [this summer].”

With a host of new faces, fans basking in the early August heat expected to see some debuts. Instead Conte found bench space for five of his recruits – Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Djed Spence, Clement Lenglet and Fraser Forster all got their first taste of the new Lane’s atmosphere from the sidelines.

Yet for all the close-season confidence, it was Southampton who went ahead when James Ward-Prowse sent a volley into the turf and bouncing past Hugo Lloris on 11 minutes.

Spurs got back on level terms seven minutes later, and it was conjured up by the wand-like left foot of Kulusevski. His cross was perfect for Sessegnon to direct a header home.

The home side looked in the mood. And on the half-hour mark Dier’s stooped header gave Spurs the lead with his first goal for three years.

The excellent Ben Davies was unlucky on 37, his shot being pushed past the far post by Southampton’s debutant keeper Gavin Bazunu – who also stopped Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son from adding to the tally.

On 60, the effervescent Heung-Min Son got himself into a good spot but did not get set in time to shoot. Instead, he played in Emerson Royal and the wing-back seemed to have fumbled the opportunity. Off balance, his low cross was to no one in particular but the unfortunate Salisu got his legs in a muddle and turned the ball home.

With Southampton now looking like they wanted to catch an early coach home, the unplayable Kulusevski made it four. On 62, he started a move by sending Royal free, who made it to the byline and his cute pull-back was met by the Swedish forward to wrap up the scoring.

Tottenham had no reason to exert themselves further but the gulf in class was such more chances came and went as the visitors looked increasingly ragged.

Next week, Conte takes his players to Stamford Bridge and a stiffer challenge than offered today. If they get something away at Chelsea, perhaps the high pre-season expectations will be justified.

Tottenham: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies (Lenglet, 86), Royal (Doherty, 86), Bentancur (Bissouma, 86), Hojbjerg, Sessegnon (Perisic 66), Kulusevski (Moura, 86), Son, Kane
Substitutes not used: Forster, Sanchez, Gil, Spence

Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters (Redmond, 90+2), Valery (Stephens, 45), Bednarek, Salisu, Djenepo (Perraud, 72), Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Romeu (Diallo, 75), Aribo, A Armstrong (S Armstrong, 45).
Substitutes not used: McCarthy,, Adams, Elyounoussi, Bella Kotchap.