London Spirit made it three wins from three in this year's men's Hundred with a tight, nine-run victory over defending champions Southern Brave at the Ageas Bowl.

All-rounder Jordan Thompson held his nerve in the closing moments and captain Eoin Morgan expertly shuffled his bowlers as the Spirit defended 147.

The Brave slipped to 80-5 in a sloppy start to the chase before Ross Whiteley's 52 from 33 balls gave them hope.

But, with 27 needed from 11 balls, Thompson bowled Whiteley with a pinpoint yorker and later had James Fuller caught in the deep for 18 when the hosts needed 12 from the last three.

The Brave finished on 138-7.

Daniel Bell-Drummond had earlier top-scored with 46 from 33 balls in Spirit's 147-6, Glenn Maxwell also making 34 and Kieron Pollard 26 not out.

The Spirit sit top of the early table while the Brave have suffered back-to-back defeats after starting their title defence with a nine-wicket win over Welsh Fire in the tournament.

Here's what else happened:

• Morgan was unfortunately run out for a two-ball duck - Bell-Drummond's drive deflecting off bowler Jake Lintott and onto the stumps with Morgan out of the crease at the non-striker's end.
• The Brave's chase began in strange fashion when a ball from Glenn Maxwell glanced James Vince's off stump and left the players unsure how the bail had been dislodged.
• There was a comical run-out when Quinton de Kock was involved in a mix-up with Alex Davies.

What's next?

London Spirit's next match is on Sunday against Northern Superchargers at Headingley - a match live on BBC Two at 14:00 BST.

Southern Brave play Oval Invincbles later that evening at the Oval at 18:00.

London Spirit captain Eoin Morgan on Sky Sports: "I'm really proud of my bowlers. I think we had an under par score by a long way.

"We'd batted well in the tournament before today, it just didn't seem to happen today. Daniel Bell-Drummond played outstandingly well but I don't think many found it that easy to go in and start playing freely.

"Ultimately it's about winning and that's where experience comes in to it. It's all about making the right decisions at the right time.

"The bowlers executed really well, spinners and seamers all fought really hard. I may have got the decision wrong at the toss, but that's on the skipper!

"Chasing for us was a disaster last year, we fell short almost every time. This year we knew we had to change so we've recruited really well and we want something to be able to call our strength. It was our batting in the first two games but our bowling really showed up for us today.

"It rarely happens that your batting or bowling is good for all 100 balls, but I felt our bowling was absolutely excellent.

"Trevor Bayliss and I get on like a house on fire. We don't really talk a lot about cricket, we don't really do small talk!

"We love golf, and we don't really do meetings at all. All of our cricket chat is either at the nets or at the ground so that when we're away from the ground, we can actually switch off."

Match Hero Daniel Bell-Drummond of London Spirit on Sky Sports: "It was good to get a game - I thoroughly enjoyed my debut. Once I got going I felt good going but I would have loved to keep going.

"It was a little two paced and the cutters were gripping as well but once I got in I was able to target my areas but it was difficult to start.

"It is early days but it is a great start, whatever we do first we back ourselves but really happy with the win."

At the halfway stage, not many of us thought that 147 was defendable with the amount of batting that Southern Brave boast.

But credit to Morgan and his bowlers, they delivered. And it all started from the first ball!

Lauren Winfield-Hill
Oval Invincibles batter on BBC Radio

There were good tactical changes from Eoin Morgan. Liam Dawson set the tone nicely but there were some poor shots from Brave.

Spirit are in a really good place at the moment and in those tight games the captaincy of Morgan can't be underestimated.

The short formats of the game are all about momentum and it's really hard to claw it back if you don't have it.

Melissa Story
BBC Radio

What a fantastic game of cricket. We've had two fantastic games today.

What a result for Eoin Morgan's London Spirit! Three wins from three, and they've knocked over last year's champions!

It was closer than we thought it would be in the end, but a spirited (sorry) bowling performance from the blues and they get the result.

Lauren Winfield-Hill
Oval Invincibles batter on BBC Radio

This has been a fantastic bit of captaincy from Eoin Morgan and execution from Jordan Thompson. He got the yorker right up in the footholes and Zak Crawley didn't have to move an inch to take the catch.

Melissa Story
BBC Radio

Oh, there are hands on heads from the spectators. They must have thought that was going for six.

Lauren Winfield-Hill
Oval Invincibles batter on BBC Radio

It is an interesting decision from Eoin Morgan to bowl Jordan Thompson because the Spirit spinners have been hugely effective and someone like Glenn Maxwell is used to dealing with pressure.

Two! They bravely take on Glenn Maxwell, but make it!

The crowd is going mad now. The tension builds!

Melissa Story
BBC Radio

This game is not over yet!

Slashed for four! It's still on!

Melissa Story
BBC Radio

Eoin Morgan is backing his bowlers well. He has bowled the same bowlers in the last 20 deliveries.

Oooh, pressure! Thompson starts with a wide. That gifts Brave a run and he has to bowl the ball again.

Nathan Ellis recovers well, just a single from his last ball.

Jordan Thompson to bowl the last five! He loves the big moments, this lad. He'll thrive off it.

Oh, that's unlucky for the bowler.

Chris Jordan swings, edges, and it runs away for four! They've not given up yet!

It's not game over yet, though. Chris Jordan is the new batter and he's no mug with the bat.

But Nathan Ellis does well, just two singles from his first two balls and the equation gets tougher.