Tottenham thrashes Southampton 5-0: James Maddison shines with a brace against the struggling Premier League side

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Southampton, currently at the bottom of the Premier League, faced more disappointment as they were jeered off the pitch following a crushing 5-0 loss to Tottenham at St Mary's.

Russell Martin's side have now lost five of their last six games and 13 of their 16 games since promotion back to the top flight in the summer. They are stuck in 20th, already nine points from safety.

In his programme notes, Martin had called on Saints fans to "keep believing" in his players despite the predicament they currently find themselves in. Any effect those words might have had on supporters was rapidly eradicated.

With just 36 seconds on the clock, James Maddison swept the opener after Djed Spence easily brought the ball forward through the middle of the park. It was the earliest Saints had conceded in the Premier League since November 2013.

It was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Heung-Min Son slotted home after Jan Bednarek's poor header, and 3-0 two minutes later, with Son turning provider for Dejan Kulusevski to turn the ball home from close range.

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That was enough for the home fans to direct their frustrations towards Martin, but the fourth from Pape Sarr - following abysmal defending in the 25th minute - sparked a mass exodus from St Mary's. It was the earliest Tottenham had led by four goals in a Premier League game.

Martin trudged down the tunnel before the half-time whistle and not only missed the intense boos from the home fans that greeted it, but Maddison's second of the evening, from the tightest of angles.

There was no such intensity in the second half. In fact, Spurs only attempted a single shot in the second half, with Son, Maddison and Dominic Solanke withdrawn with one eye on Thursday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, which is live on .

Southampton did try to reduce the deficit, with Tyler Dibling arguably their biggest threat. Mateus Fernandes headed in late on, but knew he had strayed offside immediately. Ultimately, they could do nothing to take the gloss off; the job was already done.

Martin: Boos hurt me as a manager but I will fight on

Under-pressure Southampton manager Russell Martin speaking to TNT Sports:

"I'm hurt at the first half. We just don't respond very well to setbacks as a group.

"Ultimately, it's hurt us a lot this season. We concede so early and we have a chance to foul Djed Spence in the middle of the pitch, and we don't. Then we're 1-0 down, and then the response after that is incredibly poor. So very disappointing.

"Probably the most disappointing thing is we have a plan that I love the week's training. The players have been a part of that process, but we don't carry out with anywhere near enough intensive aggression, because we concede literally the first action they have the ball. So then that's down to mentality and still wanting to stick to it.

"So I didn't recognise our team in the first half. I'm pleased they stuck at it in the second. But it's a tough night."

On whether boos from home crowd affect him: "As a person, no. Because I understand it's not personal. I don't know them and they don't know me.

"As a manager, yeah, of course, it hurts me. It hurts the team, but I also understand it."

Asked where he goes from here: "I think we have no choice but to work and fight. It's all I've done since I've been in this job, and it's all I'll continue to do until I'm told otherwise."

Ramsdale: I feel very sorry for Martin

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale speaking to TNT Sports:

"A difficult one. The early goal sucker-punched us and we just never recovered.

"Give the credit to Tottenham - James Maddison player of the match.

"Tonight's a real difficult one for us to take."

On Russell Martin: "I feel very sorry for him. I think the lads are still trying for him. I don't think there's any question of anything on Russell Martin.

"The fans do deserve better and they're sticking with us, and it's one we have to move on very quickly ahead of Wednesday."