Tottenham's travel troubles continued at The Dell last night as goals from James Beattie, his ninth in as many Premiership matches, and Kevin Davies inside two first half minutes condemned them to another blank.

George Graham's side's woeful away record of just two points from ten games has left hopes of a push for a European placing come May almost extinct - and they failed to offer any significant threat against the Saints.

In-form Beattie's opportunism in charging down a clearance to set up the opener got Southampton on their way and Davies climaxed a flowing move to sidefoot a volley inside Neil Sullivan's near post.

The victory eased the pressure on the hosts, who had begun the game just two points above the drop zone following Boxing Day wins for Coventry and Middlesbrough.

Glenn Hoddle, up against the club he graced as a player in the late 70s and 80s, won the tactical battle against George Graham with an adventurous line-up that kept the visitors under constant pressure throughout.

With Hassan Kachloul suspended following his sending-off against Leeds, Marian Pahars and Davies returned in a more attack-minded Southampton line-up, having both sat out the 1-1 draw at Coventry.

In fact, Davies should have put the hosts in front inside the first minute, seizing on a misplaced back pass from youngster Alton Thelwell and rounding goalkeeper Neil Sullivan only to shoot into the side netting.

Southampton's persistence, after Tessem had tested Sullivan again and Chris Perry had headed a dangerous Pahars centre for a corner, eventually paid off seven minutes before the break.

Beattie charged down Perry's attempted clearance on the right and surged into the area to curl in his shot.

And the Saints doubled their advantage with a marvellous move just two minutes later as Pahars once again found space to exploit on the right.

The Latvian's deep cross was met beyond the far post by an unmarked Davies, who stole in to roll the ball in off the upright for his first league goal of the campaign.

Southampton continued their assault and substitute Tahar El Khalej pressed the keeper to parry a vicious 20-yard volley after a Davies cross was only partially cleared, Beattie thundering the rebound wide.

Spurs' increased possession at the start of the second half resulted in little actual threat and the hosts may easily have added to their total in the final quarter but Davies and Pahars squandered chances