Neither side managed to break the deadlock in the first half and the opening period of 10 minutes was one of unremitting tedium.

Teddy Sheringham had a speculative drive in the first minute, but it would hardly have warmed Southampton keeper Paul Jones’ hands, and Gardner’s booking for pulling back Marian Pahars provided the only point of interest.

James Beattie made a nuisance of himself in Spurs’ box and was denied a good shooting opportunity by Ledley King, who just managed to clear the ball for a corner.

In the 20th minute the match finally warmed up a bit. Christian Ziege had a shot deflected for a corner and then when the flag-kick fell to him again 20 yards out he fired in a low angled shot which bounced not too far wide of the right-hand post.

Minutes later, Ziege threatened again. Jones managed to sweep away Mauricio Taricco from Les Ferdinand, only to find Ziege, but when the German struck an accurate volley Jones recovered his position to dive and turn the shot aside.