Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. There's plenty at stake for the two sides today as they both continue to chase a top-four finish. Meanwhile, an interesting sub-plot sees Mauricio Pochettino return to his former club for the first time since leaving to take over at Spurs in the summer. Team news should be through shortly.

SOUTHAMPTON: K Davis; Clyne, Yoshida, Alderweireld, Fonte, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin, S Davis; Mane, Pelle

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Gazzaniga, Gardos, Long, Tadic, Elia, Reed, Targett

Afters seeing his team lose 2-1 away to Stoke City last weekend, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has made just the one change this afternoon as James Ward-Prowse replaces Dusan Tadic. Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Morgan Schneiderlin are among those who keep their places in the starting XI.

SPURS: Lloris; Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Mason; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane

SPURS SUBS: Vorm, Chiriches, Yedlin, Dembele, Stambouli, Townsend, Soldado

Mauricio Pochettino has made three changes to his Spurs side following last weekend's 3-1 win at Newcastle, with Hugo Lloris, Ben Davies and Ryan Mason all earning recalls. Michel Vorm drops to the bench, but Danny Rose and Paulinho both miss out. Rose is understood to be suffering with a knock, while Paulinho's wife is reportedly in labour - a fair enough excuse for the Brazilian to miss out!

This game is hugely important to both teams as they look to sneak into the top four, but it's also significant for the fact that Mauricio Pochettino is back at Southampton for the first time since his summer departure to Spurs. The Argentine arrived at St Mary's Stadium in January 2013 before guiding the team to their highest Premier League finish (eighth place) the following season.

Pochettino's move to Spurs caused some rancour among the Southampton fans, but he insists that he is not bothered by what reception he gets this afternoon:

"I don't want to be popular. I want to be an honest person and do my job. I will expect nothing special. This is not easy for them and difficult to understand the decision. I never had an opportunity to explain but this is football. But the decision is done. We don't need to explain. The most important thing is that Southampton are having a great season and we are here and I am happy to be here and that is the best thing."

Turning to matters on the pitch, a defeat for either of these sides today could well signal the end of their top-four hopes. Spurs are currently seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, while Southampton are eight points adrift of the Champions League spots.

Southampton have struggled for a consistent run of form since the turn of the year, winning seven of their 14 games. More recently, they've recorded two victories and two defeats in their last four matches. They suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat away to Stoke last weekend after taking the lead at the Britannia Stadium.

Despite being in the midst of some erratic form, the Saints continue to boast the best defence in the Premier League. Ronald Koeman's men has keep 15 clean sheets so far this season, conceding just 0.73 goals per game.

Spurs have also struggled for points in recent weeks, picking up just two wins in their last five matches. However, the head to the South Coast today having secured an important 3-1 triumph at Newcastle United last weekend. That outing was also significant for the fact that Harry Kane became the first Tottenham player in over two decades to score more than 30 goals in a season. The youngster could well play a big part this afternoon.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman: "It's not a decisive [game] because after that there is still four to play but of course it's really the competition for that place between us, Liverpool and Tottenham. It's an important one because you can put them back in points behind you and it's all to play for this Saturday. We need to have our level and then we can beat them. If we don't play at our level or some players are not playing well or not doing well it will be more difficult."

HEAD TO HEAD: Tottenham have been the dominant side in this fixture over the past couple of years, winning five straight games against the Saints. Their last meeting came back in October when Christian Eriksen's goal earned Spurs a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane. Interestingly enough, all of Tottenham's last five triumphs against the Saints have been by a one-goal margin.

Southampton's last win over Spurs came back in March 2005, but it wasn't enough to stop the South-Coast outfit from being relegated to the Championship. How times have changed since then...

One thing that we should expect from this afternoon's encounter is plenty of attacking football. Both teams like to push forward whenever possible and their starting lineups each contain a wealth of offensive talent. It looks as if the hosts have set up a bit more defensively-minded than their opponents, but the likes of Clyne and Bertrand usually offer lots of support higher up the pitch. Meanwhile, Southampton will be eager to keep an eye on Kane, Eriksen and a resurgent Chadli, who enjoyed an impressive performance against Newcastle.

PREDICTION TIME: Considering that this game could potentially be all about the attacking play, Southampton's stellar defence may well play a big part in the result. Spurs are sure to have a go of things at St Mary's Stadium, but it would not be a surprise if the hosts came away with the spoils.

As we edge closer towards kickoff, it's worth saying that there will be a minute's silence before we get underway to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bradford City fire.

Not long to go now until kickoff as the two teams start to emerge in the tunnel at St Mary's Stadium. Jose Fonte will lead out the hosts, while Hugo Lloris skippers the visitors. What should make this an entertaining game is that a draw is no good for either of the sides. They both know that only three points will do this afternoon.

Here they come!

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done and the minute's silence in tribute to the victims of the Bradford City fire was observed brilliantly. Now it's time for the action. Southampton will kick us off. Here we go!

It's been a tight, even start to the game so far, with both sides jostling hard for possession during the early stages. The Southampton fans are already signing some less than complimentary songs towards Pochettino.

The visitors have cranked up the pressure ever so slightly in the last few moments, with Eriksen and Kane seeing a bit more of the ball in advanced positions. However, we're yet to see any genuine chances in front of goal. It remains a bit cagey.

Spurs have looked very composed at the back so far. Whenever the home side have got forward, the Tottenham's backline have mopped up any danger with plenty of assurance.

Decent play from Southampton as Bertrand whips a dangerous cross in from the left, but Pelle just can't reach it. Not sure it would have counted if he'd have converted the opportunity because he looked to be a good few yards offside. Still, the linesman's flag stayed down. Spurs are needing to keep their defensive focus at the minute.

The passing and movement from both sets of players has been crisp so far, but there's been a lack of magic in the final third, that's for sure. The two defences have been impressive, giving little joy to the game's more creative players.

CHANCE! A first proper opening of the afternoon sees Bertrand fire a low cross into the heart of the Tottenham defence, but no-one is there to get on the end of it. Spurs struggle to clear the danger after that, though they eventually get some respite as Alderweireld is penalised for a foul.

This is a good spell for the hosts, who are starting to dictate. A corner from the right causes some confusion among the Spurs defence before Kane smashes the ball clear. Tottenham then remind Southampton what they're about at the other end of the pitch as Mason's cross narrowly misses Kane at the back post.

SAVE! Southampton come within inches of taking the lead, but Lloris is there to get them out of jail. Ward-Prowse fires a corner into the near post that Schneiderlin flicks towards goal, only for Tottenham's goalkeeper to get down and turn the ball away. A great, reflexive stop from the Frenchman.

The Saints are really starting to turn the screw now. They're committing more men forward, while their attacking play in general seems to be a bit more incisive. The crowd are responding as well, urging their team to get at Spurs.

It's been coming! Southampton take the lead as Graziano Pelle takes advantage of some poor defending from Ben Davies to prod the hosts in front. Spurs have the chance to clear the ball a couple of times before it runs through to Davies inside the box. The full-back has Pelle breathing down his neck, and his failure to boot the ball out sees the Italian get there first to poke past Lloris.

YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the afternoon sees Jan Vertonghen pick up a yellow for chopping down Pelle from behind.

YELLOW CARD! Ben Davies's afternoon gets worse as he goes into the book for a foul on Ward-Prowse. Southampton are in control at the moment as they continue to push Tottenham back.

Tottenham are playing a pretty high defensive line right now, which is allowing Southampton to pump some long balls up to the speedy Mane. The forward has already broken free a couple of times. Spurs will want to keep an eye on that situation because Mane will hurt them if they continue to give him that kind of space that high up the pitch.

CHANCE! Southampton have a good opportunity to make it 2-0 as a ball from the left is met by Davis on the edge of the box, but his tame effort is dragged wide of the goal. That chance came after a decent spell for Spurs, with the visitors building a bit of possession.

Spurs have been much improved in the last few minutes, and they have got their reward with an equaliser from Erik Lamela. Dier receives the ball on the right before whipping a superb cross into the box that Lamela flicks past Davis with his head. A great finish from the Argentine.

There will be ONE MINUTE of added time at the end of the half...

Jon Moss blows the half-time whistle, bringing the curtain down on an intriguing opening 45 minutes of football at St Mary's Stadium. Graziano Pelle gave the hosts the lead, but Erik Lamela got the visitors level a few minutes before the break.

Replays show that Lamela's goal may not have been all that it seemed. It would appear that the Argentine used his hand to convert Dier's cross, which may be a big talking point come the end of the afternoon.

Southampton will be feeling a bit deflated after conceding so late in the half. The Saints have been the better side so far, though Tottenham started to find their rhythm a bit more in the minutes before their goal.

If the hosts will be disappointed by letting their lead slip so late in the half, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino will be furious with the poor defending that led to his side conceding the game's opening goal. The away team had a couple of chances to get the ball clear before some indecision from Davies allowed Pelle in.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half and it will be Spurs to kick us off. No changes from either manager during the interval.

Sadio Mane should be thoroughly ashamed of himself as he goes down holding his face following a collision with Fazio. 'Collision' is being kind because Fazio's arm brushed the forward's face when he tried to get past him down the left flank.

CHANCE! Southampton really should be 2-0 up as Davis wastes another decent opportunity. The midfielder has bags of space 18 yards from goal, but his shot is a woeful one that goes well wide of the post. He should have at least got that on target. It's been a lively start to the second half.

This match is a totally different one to what was played in the first half. We're now seeing some exciting attacking play from both sides, with Spurs more than holding their own when it comes to getting high up the pitch. However, a lack of quality in the final third is still plaguing both teams.

CHANCE! Davis again. Bad miss again. The Irishman is picked out inside the box by Pelle's clever flick, but his effort curls off target. That looked like another one that he should have at least got on target.

CLOSE! Now it's Spurs who almost take the lead, though it would have been a very fortunate goal indeed. Chadli's dinked cross from the left looks to be heading into the far post before falling inches wide of the target. There's been no shortage of action since the restart.

Remember, a draw really isn't good enough for either of these teams. With games running out quickly this season, three points are ideally needed for both teams. Just over half an hour remaining at St Mary's Stadium, where it remains 1-1.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The hosts make their first change of the afternoon now as Shane Long enters the action in place of Ward-Prowse.

Pelle scores again as Southampton regain the lead! And what a goal. Long is involved in the action instantly as he is found by Mane out on the right. The substitute whips a great cross into the box before Pelle rises above his marker to direct a powerful header past Lloris.

YELLOW CARD! Another booking now as Steven Davis is cautioned for a foul on Mason.

It looks like Spurs are ready to bring on Andros Townsend. The visitors certainly need an injection of pace up front. They've not played badly in the second half, but they've certainly lacked the same kind of potency as their opponents in the final third.

Spurs get themselves back on level terms again thanks to a clever finish from Nacer Chadli! Dier feeds the Belgian down the right before he slots the ball past Davis from a difficult angle with a defender breathing down his neck. Game on!

SPURS SUB: Bad news for the visitors now as Ben Davies is stretchered off after slipping over inside his own area. The surface has caused the players one or two problems today and Davies has done himself some damage by landing awkwardly on the turf. Vlad Chiriches is on in the youngster's place.

Are we going to see another goal during the final stages of this game? It wouldn't be a surprise, that's for sure. Spurs are currently looking more in control of things than Southampton, but the hosts are still looking dangerous on the break. It could be a cagey finale.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The hosts shake things up again as Eljero Elia takes the place of Steven Davis, who has missed some good chances today.

CHANCE! Almost a third goal for Southampton as a free kick is met at the back post by Fonte, but his header is cleared just in front of the line. Spurs make a sub soon after, with Moussa Dembele replacing Chadli.

It's all gone a bit subdued inside St Mary's Stadium. The nerves are jangling, particularly from the home supporters. Spurs are just passing and probing at the moment, making the hosts do all of the running. It's patient stuff from Mauricio Pochettino's men. Will it yield a winning goal?

SPURS SUB: One final roll of the dice for Tottenham as Roberto Soldado replaces Bentaleb.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: The Saints are forced into another change as Morgan Schneiderlin comes off for Harrison Reed. Schneiderling hurt himself after slipping on the pitch, though he was able to walk off.

There will be SEVEN MINUTES added time...

This may be the kiss of death, but Spurs are looking the more likely to score as we head towards the final four minutes of stoppage time. The visitors are seeing the majority of possession, while Southampton are having do work hard to contain their opponents.

Now it's Southampton who are suddenly on the front foot. Will it be the hosts who snatch a late winner?

YELLOW CARD! Spurs defender Fazio goes into the book for a foul on Long down the left side.

The full-time whistle goes following an entertaining afternoon of football at St Mary's Stadium. Tottenham will probably be the happier of the two sides after coming from behind twice to earn a share of the spoils. Meanwhile, the Saints will be frustrated at having allowed Spurs back into the match and, as a result, one point ahead of them in the table.

That's all from our live text coverage of today's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!