Giovani Lo Celso is Tottenham's gem to build around as Christian Eriksen finally heads for exit door
The pre-match build-up was dominated by talk of Christian Eriksen, who stepped off the Tottenham coach at St. Mary's but was left out of the 18.
Eriksen has surely played his last game for the club, with various reports in Italy claiming his move to Inter Milan is only being held up by Spurs' desire to source a replacement. It is increasingly clear, however, that they have already signed a special playmaker in Giovani Lo Celso.
Just as he did against Norwich on Saturday, the Argentine made the difference here, creating Heung-min Son's 58th-minute goal with a brilliant driving run from deep. It was telling that Lo Celso's principle contributions came after he dropped back into the midfield three when Erik Lamela replaced disappointing full debutant Gedson Fernandes.
For the final 30 minutes, Lo Celso ran the game for Spurs and the centre of midfield, rather than on the right of a front three, seems to be his best position. In fact, such is his tenaciousness and ability to glide past opponents, he looks as much a replacement for Mousa Dembele as for Eriksen.
Either way, Spurs appear to have found a gem to build around and Jose Mourinho confirmed after the game that the club's clause to move the loan move permanent will be triggered .
Aurier guilty of brainless error
If you had to pick the biggest winner, and arguably best performer, from the fledging Jose Mourinho era, Serge Aurier would be a leading candidate. The Ivorian has been a consistent pick at right-back and his qualities make him a key part of Mourinho's tactical approach.
Aurier impressed again in the win over Norwich, providing a number of dangerous crosses, including the assist for Dele Alli's opener. But there is always the sense that he will make a careless mistake. Sure enough, he cost Spurs the win with a brainless error in the final minutes.
Dawdling on possession just as Spurs were trying to see out the game, Aurier was dispossessed by Pierre-Emerick Hojberg and in two quick passes Sofiane Boufal had rifled home an equaliser for Saints. It was another reminder that Aurier, for all his qualities, will likely always be something of a liability.
Replay particularly unwelcome
No-one ever welcomes an FA Cup replay but for Jose Mourinho a re-match with Saints is particularly unwelcome. A recurring theme of Mourinho's time at Tottenham has been the manager's frustrations at the lack of time he has had to work with his players on the training ground and the replay will now eat into the winter break.
Mourinho had already said that he was eagerly looking forward to the time off but now he will have another match to prepare for, which limits his chance to give overworked players a breather.
Spurs displayed many familiar failings at St. Mary's – a blunt edge in attack and shaky defending – so Mourinho could really have done with some time to work on tactics.
Tanganga defended bravely
For the sixth game running, Mourinho made a change at left-back, with Japhet Tanganga returning after a difficult afternoon for Ryan Sessegnon against Norwich. Until Ben Davies is fit again and up to speed, Mourinho has a problem at left-back but a brave performance from the 20-year-old suggested he is the best bet as a temporary solution.
Tanganga put his body on line a number of times, at one point blocking a cross with his face, and he saved a certain goal in the first half with an acrobatic header to clear Danny Ings' effort off the line, following kamikaze goalkeeping by Hugo Lloris.
Right-footed Tanganga obviously cannot offer the forward thrust of Sessegnon or transfer-listed Danny Rose but that doesn't matter so much in Mourinho's lopsided back four. What he can offer is athleticism, pace and bravery, all useful qualities for a stand-in
