by Michael McCann, at White Hart Lane

Mauricio Pochettino celebrated his first encounter with former club Southampton with a 1-0 win yesterday courtesy of a sweet strike by Christian Eriksen.

The goal secured Tottenham’s push towards their first league victory in five games, ending the Saints’ run of six successive wins in all competitions.

Spurs deservedly breached the league’s meanest defence when Emmanuel Adebayor found space down the inside-left channel to feed Eriksen, whose precise finish from 20 yards found the bottom corner.

Nacer Chadli should have doubled the lead minutes later but was only able to hit the post following a heavy first touch.

Tottenham built pressure from the start, as Jan Vertonghen forced a goal line while Erik Lamela and Eriksen produced testing long shots.

The only serious problem for Spurs came when Kyle Naughton injured his right ankle in a nasty collision with Ryan Bertrand.

Younes Kaboul was lucky to not be dismissed early in the second half, after fouling Sadio Mane when he was the last man.

Spurs were also left aggrieved when Adebayor had a strong penalty appeal rejected while Southampton threatened sporadically, with Victor Wanyama forcing a good save from Hugo Lloris to his left.

Fraser Forster looked vulnerable all afternoon, fumbling on three separate occasions, but Tottenham lacked the cutting edge and potent striker to kill the game.

This is the Saints’ fifth successive loss to Spurs since rejoining the Premier League, allowing Pochettino to have the last laugh over their fans, who made their ill will towards him overwhelmingly clear.