Tim Sherwood's half-time 'speech' galvanised Tottenham to win

Tottenham goalscorer Christian Eriksen revealed manager Tim Sherwood's half-time team talk inspired Spurs to a 3-2 victory over Southampton.

The Londoners fought back from two goals down to beat the Saints thanks to a late Gylfi Sigurdsson strike.

"We got a little speech at half-time and in the second half we were new guys," said Eriksen, whose two goals drew Tottenham level after the break.

Sherwood admitted his talk "wasn't pretty" but praised his team's "guts".

"It wasn't ranting and raving; it was considered and it was measured what I had to say to them," said the 45-year-old.

"I wanted to play a high-tempo game and press them high up the field and I didn't think we had the energy to do it.

"It is harder to come from 2-0 down at home than 2-0 away from home. There is an expectancy but it takes real guts, character and spirit to do that. Brilliant."

Sherwood has recently faced pressure with his team enduring a poor run of form - losing three of their last four Premier League games and knocked out of the Europa League by Benfica on Thursday - while former Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal was recently linked with the Spurs job.

When Spurs were 2-0 behind to a dominant Southampton within 28 minutes, courtesy of goals from Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana, Sherwood said he was "dreading" the post-match inquest.

The former Tottenham and Blackburn midfielder watched the opening 30 minutes from the directors' box, saying beforehand it gave him a "better view" while also suggesting he hoped it would help him keep his emotions in check.

But he revealed his trips to and from the directors' box were "tiring". By the time Erikson had halved the deficit before the break, Sherwood was already by the dugout, gesticulating at his players.

He returned to the stands for the start of the second half but was on the touchline again to celebrate Sigurdsson's 92nd-minute winner.

Fifth-placed Tottenham - six points off fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand - next play in-form Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Sherwood said he was keen to "spoil the party" on Merseyside, with Brendan Rodgers's team still in title contention after six consecutive league victories.

"Liverpool are flying at the minute with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge - that is best partnership around," said Sherwood.

"But we have to try and stop them and there is no pressure on us."