Emmanuel Adebayor Tottenahm
Emmanuel Adebayor, left, and Tottenham dropped Southampton with a 3-2 win on Sunday afternoon. Reuters

Two goals from Emmanuel Adebayor powered Tottenham to a 3-2 victory over Southampton on Sunday afternoon at St. Mary’s.

The win keeps Spurs in the hunt for a Champions League berth, as they climb the top half of the Premier League table. Prior to the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, the London club appeared to be in disarray, but things may be turning around after painful losses to West Ham in the League Cup and a 5-0 thrashing to Liverpool. Against an over-achieving Southampton side, Spurs even received some luck from an own goal by Saints defender Jos Hooiveld.

It was the third and fourth goals of the season for Adebayor, who provided a reminder of his elite form from a few years back, as the 29-year-old twice flew into goal for extraordinary finishes.

The back and forth affair looked to be in Southampton’s favor after Adam Lallana’s goal in the 13th minute for a 1-0 lead, but Adebayor would provide the equalizer in the 25th off an assist from Roberto Soldado.

Tottenham were also very physical throughout the match, drawing 18 whistles compared to nine for Southampton, who also held a 57-43 possession advantage. However, Tottenham were able to force five corner kicks and keeper Hugo Lloris notched three saves on the day.

Hooiveld’s blunder in 54th put Spurs up, 2-1, but Rickie Lambert evened the score in the 59th minute with a right-footed strike at the top of box with an assist by Lallana.

Adebayor’s heroics came five minutes later after a deep throw in on the Southampton side by Kyle Walker and a quick feed from Nacer Chadli for the turnaround, left-footed shot.

The three points lifted Spurs to seventh place with 30 points, and two ahead of Manchester United. Southampton stayed in ninth with 24 points.

Lallana goal (1-0) Southampton Vs Tottenham 22...by niv131

Adebayor goal (1-1) Southampton Vs Tottenham 22...by niv131

Southampton 2-2 Tottenham (Goal Rickie Lambert)by videosondailymotion

Adebayor Goal - Southampton vs Tottenham 2-3 22...by videosondailymotion