EPL

Southampton 3-3 Tottenham: Spurs stunned by controversial late penalty as grip on fourth is loosened again

By Sports Desk March 18, 2023

Tottenham were stunned by a controversial stoppage-time penalty from James Ward-Prowse as a 3-3 draw at rock-bottom Southampton saw Spurs' grip on fourth loosened.

Antonio Conte's men appeared to be heading third in the Premier League, providing a fine response to Newcastle United putting pressure on them a day earlier, but Saints battled back from 3-1 down to rescue a point.

Pedro Porro's first Premier League goal put Spurs ahead at the end of a stop-start first half, before Saints levelled through Che Adams early in the second.

Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic then seemed to have put the game beyond Saints, but Theo Walcott earned them a lifeline and Ward-Prowse's emphatic late spot-kick left Spurs reeling.

Related items

  • Wenger named Premier League's most influential manager by Arteta Wenger named Premier League's most influential manager by Arteta

    Mikel Arteta labelled Arsene Wenger as the most influential manager in Premier League history, after the former Arsenal boss was inducted into the competition's Hall of Fame.

    On Wednesday, Wenger was inducted alongside Alex Ferguson, with the pair becoming the first managers to go into the Hall of Fame after 16 players had already been added.

    Wenger won three Premier League titles – including with the 2003-04 'Invincibles' – and seven FA Cups during his long stint in charge of Arsenal.

    He is renowned for introducing a revolutionary football philosophy, which included a commitment to attacking football.

    "I don't think any other managers have had a more impact," Arteta said.

    "Some managers have brought different ideas, different characters, different competitions. 

    "He opened the Premier League to the world in a different way to other managers. He had a vision that was much wider than any other manager had at the time.

    "England and the Premier League have to be very grateful forever to this man."

    Arteta played under Wenger for five seasons between 2011 and 2016, before becoming Arsenal boss himself in 2019.

    After winning the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta has the Gunners leading the Premier League by eight points with 10 games to go.

    On track for Arsenal’s first title in 19 years, Arteta has credited Wenger for helping him as a player and then in the next step of his career.

    "I had a dream to play for this club and that was because of the way Arsenal played," added Arteta.

    "It was so attractive. I had a phenomenal time with him. He pushed me as well at the end of my career to become a coach.

    "We had a conversation and I asked him what he would do in my position because I had doubts in my career over whether I wanted to continue my journey as a coach.

    "He helped me at the club and at the academy to do my badges and again, he was an inspiration."

  • Tottenham chief Paratici faces uncertain future after ban extended worldwide by FIFA Tottenham chief Paratici faces uncertain future after ban extended worldwide by FIFA

    Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici's future at the club has been cast into doubt after his ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) was extended worldwide by FIFA.

    Paratici was one of 11 individuals connected with Juventus who were issued with bans by the FIGC in January after the club was found guilty of false accounting in relation to transfer dealings.

    Juventus were also docked 15 points as part of the punishment.

    Paratici and Juventus denied any wrongdoing, with an appeal against the initial sanctions imposed by the FIGC to be heard by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on April 19.

    Despite his 30-month ban, Spurs director Paratici was able to continue his role with the Premier League club because the suspension only applied to Italian Football. 

    However, FIFA confirmed on Wednesday the bans handed out by the FIGC have been extended worldwide, meaning Paratici will be unable to fulfil his duties at Spurs unless his appeal is successful. 

    A widely reported FIFA statement read: "FIFA can confirm that following a request by the FIGC, the chairperson of the FIFA disciplinary committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by the FIGC on several football officials to have worldwide effect."

    The news comes just three days after the sacking of Spurs head coach Antonio Conte, with the Italian leaving after 17 months in charge. 

    Paratici, who would have likely played an important in appointing Conte’s replacement, appeared in a video on Tuesday outlining Spurs' plans for the rest of the season and describing the decision to fire the former Inter and Chelsea coach as "the right decision."

  • Fati's father wants son to leave Barcelona despite Ansu's wish to stay Fati's father wants son to leave Barcelona despite Ansu's wish to stay

    Ansu Fati wants to stay at Barcelona, but his father has other ideas.

    The 20-year-old, who has been with the club for a decade, has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season but 27 of them have come as a substitute.

    Bori Fati – who manages his son alongside agent Jorge Mendes – has been left angered by the situation and believes the winger deserves more minutes for Xavi's side.

    "If it was up to me, I would take him [to another team] but [Ansu] wants to stay at Barcelona," Bori Fati told Spanish outlet Cope.

    "He does not want to sign for another club, but I want to see him succeed. As a dad, I am angry.

    "Seeing Ansu play so little winds you up a little bit, and sometimes I think as a father, not a coach."

    Fati, who has scored six goals this season, is under a long-term contract with Barca, who are 12 points clear at the top of LaLiga. 

    And despite his father's wish, Fati has previously stated his desire to remain with Barcelona, where he feels at home. 

    "I'm under contract with Barcelona until June 2027, and I hope to stay here for many more years," he said in February.

    "I feel grateful and lucky to play for Barca and I have to thank the people who support me daily for their backing."

     

    The situation led to Bori calling a meeting with Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany, and agent Mendes.

    Alemany reassured him of his son's role at the club, though Bori remains unconvinced the situation will change.

    "I called Mateu," said Bori. "He told us that Ansu is part of the club's heritage, and they have bet big on him.

    "As a dad, I think differently, maybe I am wrong. He is your franchise player, the number 10, he took [that number] on when no one was ready to take it from [Lionel] Messi.

    "What annoys me is how they're treating him in terms of minutes. One minute, two, three.

    "I am not asking for him to be a starter, because all the forwards at the club are phenomenal, but we are talking about Ansu Fati, of Spain and Barcelona, who came through La Masia."

    It is now at the point where Bori no longer wants to visit Camp Nou to watch his son play.

    "If it carries on like this, I will go [back] to [the family home in] Seville and that's that," said Bori.

    "I didn't go to the game against [Real] Madrid. I won't go to the stadium anymore.

    "The other day Ansu asked me why I didn't go, he thought I was there. I told him I didn't fancy it."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.