HEUNG-MIN Son’s last-gasp penalty sunk Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men as Tottenham turned the tables on Saints to seal a 2-1 win in north London.

Danny Ings had glanced the visitors in front on 30 minutes after running on to James Ward-Prowse’s menacing corner. The Saints striker then had to be forced off through injury in the second period.

Former Saint Gareth Bale ensured the contest was level on the hour mark, curling in from an acute angle.

And the hosts were to have the final say as Son slotted in from the penalty spot after a foul, adjudged to have been in the box, by Moussa Djenepo, following a VAR check.

Boss Hasenhuttl had hinted at making changes to his line-up ahead of the contest, with five alterations coming from the side which fell to defeat in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leicester.

Alex McCarthy returned to feature in goal, while Mohammed Salisu, Nathan Tella, Theo Walcott and Che Adams also came into the starting XI.

Fraser Forster dropped to the bench along with Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Ibrahima Diallo. Ryan Bertrand was out of the squad all together due to injury.

Tottenham went into the contest having endured a chaotic few days off the field.

Having both entered and then pulled out of the infamous European Super League – the north London side also sacked manager Jose Mourinho on Monday.

Striker Harry Kane was unavailable for interim boss Ryan Mason’s first game in charge. Gareth Bale and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg started against their previous employers.

But it was Saints who had two golden chances to open the scoring after just three minutes.

A cross from the left found a leaping Salisu, who forced a sharp reaction save from Hugo Lloris in the home goal.

The Frenchman then picked himself up to swiftly deny a fierce effort from Adams, who must have thought he had scored.

Spurs’ first chance came from a Saints error. Salisu, playing at left-back, failed to control a routine ball forward allowing Bale to backheel into the path of Giovani Lo Celso.

The midfielder’s placed effort drifted just wide of the far post.

It was then almost a fruitful return to north London for Saints full-back Kyle Walker-Peters.

The defender, who came through the youth ranks at Tottenham, ran onto Jan Bednarek’s through ball but was denied by an onrushing Lloris.

But Saints were to get their reward for a bright start on the half hour mark.

After Stuart Armstrong had won his side a corner, Ward-Prowse’s inswinger found the run of Ings, who got ahead of Serge Aurier to glance in via the far post.

Saints did have to survive one scare before the break. Aurier’s cross looped over Walker-Peters and allowed Heung-Min Son to turn back across goal.

But in finding Lucas Moura, the Brazilian failed to keep down his effort from close range.

Spurs came out attacking with more gusto after the break. Wales star Bale forced Alex McCarthy to deal with a swerving effort from range.

Saints were then hit with an injury blow on 57 minutes. Ings was forced off with what looked like a groin problem and was replaced by midfielder Diallo.

And just three minutes later, Spurs were level through that man Bale. The on-loan Real Madrid ace curled into the top corner after Moura’s strike was charged down by Salisu.

Hasenhuttl then looked to the bench and brought on Djenepo in place of Walcott.

Spurs thought they had a second when Son smashed in Sergio Reguilon’s centre with 15 minutes left.

But after consulting with VAR Jon Moss, referee David Coote chalked off the strike for offside.

But Spurs were to get their winner as VAR went against Saints in the latter stages.

Djenepo was judged to have fouled Reguilon outside the box initially, but following a VAR check, the offence was judged to have taken place inside the box.

And up stepped Son to win the game from 12 yards, slotting past McCarthy.

Saints: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Salisu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Tella (Redmond, 85), Walcott (Djenepo, 67), Ings (Diallo, 57), Adams.

Unused subs: Stephens, Ferry, Jankewitz, Minamino, Nlundulu, Forster (g/k).

Booked: Djenepo.

Tottenham: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso (Lamela, 79), Ndombele (Winks, 73), Bale (Bergwijn, 83), Lucas, Son.

Unused subs: Sanchez, Sissoko, Alli, Tanganga, Vinicius, Hart (g/k).

Booked: Dier Ndombele.

Referee: David Coote.

VAR: Jon Moss.