Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Southampton: 5 talking point as Spurs begin new season with a bang | Premier League 2022-23

Tottenham Hotspur began their 2022-23 Premier League season with a stunning 4-1 drubbing of Southampton at home on Saturday, August 6.

Goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, an own goal from Mohammed Salisu and another strike from Dejan Kulusevski saw the Lilywhites fight back from an early deficit.

James Ward-Prowse put the hosts in front in the 12th minute against the run of play. However, Antonio Conte's men fired back through Sessegnon and Dier to put them in front before the break.

FT: Tottenham 4-1 Southampton.

Spurs get off to a flyer in the Premier League 💪 https://t.co/M99pG4Yczf

Salisu then put the ball into his own net just after the hour mark and Kulusevski added a fourth goal two minutes later.

A bright start to the season for Tottenham, who play Chelsea next weekend (August 14) at Stamford Bridge in a crunch London derby.

Here are the main talking points from the match:

#5 Tottenham kick into gear after falling behind

Spurs fell behind against the run of play in the 12th minute but that moment served to spur them on as the hosts upped the ante and turned the match around.

With Sessegnon, Emerson Royal and Kulusevski offering great width down the flanks, Tottenham opened up the Saints.

Son Heung-min and Harry Kane ran between the lines to get to the end of the crosses from the wide players. Spurs enjoyed a period of sustained pressure after conceding.

It yielded great dividends as Sessegnon and Dier struck just 10 minutes apart to put Tottenham in front, following which there was no looking back for them.

#4 Kulusevski continues from where he left off last season

Dejan Kulusevski was one of the best January signings of last season in all of Europe's top five leagues. He registered five goals and eight assists in 18 top-flight matches after joining Spurs from Juventus.

On the opening day of the new season, the Swede has merely continued from where he left off, netting one fabulous goal and one stupendous assist.

Goal and an assist.

Dejan Kulusevski is a baller 💫 https://t.co/Bfb7m1ByRD

He sent a brilliant inswinging cross for Sessegnon to head home from close as Spurs opened their account for the evening. He then netted their fourth goal with a confident finish from close range.

He won five duels and four tackles, won possession seven times, and had a passing accuracy of 92%. Since Kulusevski's debut for Spurs in February, only Ousmane Dembele (11) and Lionel Messi (10) have made more assists in Europe's top five leagues. The Swede has made nine assists.

Following a subdued period at Juventus, Kulusevski has recaptured his Parma form that brought him into the limelight since joining Tottenham. By the looks of it, he ain't stopping anytime soon.