The Tottenham manager, André Villas-Boas, has praised Saints for their “absolutely outstanding” style of football this season.

Spurs were dominated by Saints at White Hart Lane last weekend, only to be rescued by a late Gareth Bale wonder goal.

Villas-Boas was clearly impressed by what he witnessed from Mauricio Pochettino’s side, describing them as "wonderful".

Speaking ahead of his return to his former club Chelsea tonight, the Spurs boss said: “If you don't have a style, it makes you invisible in football. Only teams with style succeed, but in the end, success normally is what matters in modern Europe.

“Obviously, what is attractive to me is maybe different to the style of football you might find attractive.

“We saw the wonderful team Mauricio (Pochettino) is building at Southampton, so although the change from Nigel (Adkins) to Mauricio is difficult to take and (after) what Nigel has achieved for that club, the reality is Southampton is not invisible in terms of their football. Their football is absolutely outstanding this season.”