Errors happening all over the place. Sergio Reguilon drops a clanger to allow the ball to slip past him and to Kyle Walker-Peters. The full-back can't quite get the ball out of his feet, though, meaning reinforcements arrive to block his eventual shot and then smuggle the ball away.

Could easily be 1-2 already, this game.

Image source, Getty Images

Spurs threaten again, this time through Lucas Moura who turns his man but then pulls his shot from range. It trickles harmlessly wide.

Tottenham's first real effort on goal comes from Lo Celso, who benefits from an error from Salisu that allows him to gather the ball before curling an effort past the far post.

Not an easy chance, but he had the time and space to make something better from it.

So, somehow Southampton aren't ahead. I say somehow... the reason is Hugo Lloris, who produces two big saves to deny them. Both are from close range, the first to stop a header from Mohammed Salisu, the second to brilliantly parry Che Adams' follow-up.

Adams should definitely have done better, but let's credit the keeper.

All red kit for Southampton, the standard home white and blue for Spurs. We are under way.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Image source, BBC Sport

You might remember the reverse of this fixture, at St Mary's in September, being the Harry Kane and Son Heung-min show.... Harry scored one and made four for Son in a thumping 5-2 Tottenham win.

No Kane for Spurs tonight of course, but Lawro still thinks it will be straightforward enough for them. He and his guest, Soccer AM legend Tubes, are both going for a 2-0 home win for the former European Super League founder members.

Right, we've got players in the tunnel and the stadium is properly cranking up its atmospheric tunes (Duel of the Fates from that awful Star Wars prequel, FYI). A whole game of football will be with you soon.

Some stats from Opta on Mason...

Ryan Mason tonight becomes the youngest manager in Premier League history, aged 29 years and 312 days.

Mason is the first manager younger than 30 to manage in the English top-flight since QPR's Frank Sibley in 1977.

There are three players older than Ryan Mason tonight for Spurs (Lloris, Bale & Alderweireld). The last time a player featured in the PL who was older than his manager was in December 2014 (Gerhard Tremmel under Garry Monk for Swansea).

If Spurs think they've been faltering of late, just check out Southampton.

Saints have lost 11 of their past 14 Premier League fixtures. They have the division's worst record in 2021, with 10 points from 15 games. Relegated Sheffield United have earned 12 points in the same period.

Hasenhuttl's side have also lost seven of their past eight away matches.

Now that is a stinking run of form. And to really lob a bucket of salt in the wound, they were beaten in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend.

Spurs could complete a league double against Southampton for the first time since 2017 after the 5-2 win at St Mary's earlier in the season. Son Heung-min scored four in that game, remember?

Southampton have actually lost 12 of the 17 Premier League meetings since returning to the top flight in 2012.

They have lost nine of their past 10 away games against Spurs.

Southampton

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl: “I think in the end it was a very good week for football. The way the fans and everybody who loves football bounced back was amazing. I think it was nearly the worst idea I ever heard, it underestimated the power of the fans and how much they love football and it is for everybody.

“We are all happy the first battle is won but I think it is not over yet. It has been a topic this week. You could feel it was affecting them [the players] and in the last 48 hours it has turned around and you could feel a release from everybody.

“We can now fully concentrate on the league. We want to take as many points as possible. We can still finish in a good position and this is our goal.

“It’s not long since a very emotional and intense game for us and I think the new players give us a new attitude and freshness.”

Do you think there will be any concern at Southampton about the possibility Tottenham might come in for Ralph Hasenhuttl? It has happened before, of course, with Mauricio Pochettino.

Word on the street is that there are candidates ahead of Ralph on Spurs' list - chiefly RB Leipzig's Julian Nagelsmann - but if they start getting rejections, that phone at St Mary's might start ringing?

Mason has obviously had his hand forced a bit with Kane's injury, but the rest of that side appears eminently sensible to me. Good players in their natural position. Nothing too crazy for your first match. Don't go sticking anyone as an Enganche or Carrilero. Not too many individual instructions. Watch the match engine and see how it plays out.

Alxrob: Is it just me or is that the most sensible Spurs line up for a while? Could it really be that simple? Glad the constant storm of Mourinho has passed. I think every Spurs fan is hoping Mason turns out to be a revelation.

I think it would be fair to say that there is a bit of pressure on Mason to hit the ground running in his first managerial gig.

Tonight's game is absolutely crucial if Spurs have any lasting hopes of making the top four. Then he has to get his side ready for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday - a match that could make or break the club's season.

Who do they play in that? Oh, only champions elect Manchester City.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham’s interim head coach Ryan Mason: "Obviously we've just been waiting. We are here, prepared and looking forward to the match.

"[We want to give] Some energy, fight and freedom. The lads have been excellent in training the last couple of days and I think they are looking forward to it. I feel this is the right team to win the match."

On Harry Kane's fitness: "It's difficult we are still not sure. We are treating it day by day. The hope is he will be on the pitch at the end of the week."

On restoring confidence and the ESL: "The feeling is that we want to win matches. When you are winning you get confidence. We want to give the guys the freedom to play with no fear and be brave.

"I'll be honest my mind has just been so engrossed on this game it has been the last thing on my mind. It's difficult for me to comment. There has been no disruption for the players at all. Their focus has been on training well and preparing for the match tonight."

So, in the dugout on an interim capacity tonight for Spurs will be their former midfielder Ryan Mason, at the age of just 29.

Mason retired from playing in 2018 after suffering a fractured skull and has been working with the club's academy. Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs have been named interim assistant head coaches, with Michel Vorm as interim goalkeeping coach.

"It's no secret I love this club. To spend 20 years of my 29 years involved, it's in my heart, my blood," said Mason after his appointment.

"I've always felt a massive connection with the fans. I've always felt loved.

"I'll give my all to this group of players to win matches. I feel immense pride."

Be fascinating to see what a Ryan Mason-managed Spurs looks like. Especially after the pragmatism of his predecessor.