Mauricio Pochettino: 'Santa came early for Tottenham Hotspur'

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino has compared his team to Santa Claus for "gifting goals" to Tottenham Hotspur in the 3-2 defeat at St Mary's Stadium today.

The Saints opened the scoring courtesy of Adam Lallana, before Spurs overhauled their lead through Emmanuel Adebayor and a Jos Hooiveld own goal.

Rickie Lambert briefly levelled for the South-Coast outfit before Adebayor struck again to seal the win.

Speaking to reporters at full time, the Argentine coach berated the errors that undermined his team's effort and claims that Christmas came early for Tim Sherwood and Co.

"It was very frustrating, we are very angry about the result," Pochettino said. "We actually dressed up as Santa Claus today and gifted them so many goals and so many chances."

Southampton, who sit ninth in the Premier League table, travel to South Wales for a clash with Cardiff City on Boxing Day, before turning their attention toward an encounter with Everton at Goodison Park.