Tottenham have returned to winning form with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.

Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey gave Spurs a half-time lead before a determined Saints outfit struck back courtesy of Jay Rodriguez in the second half but the damage had already been done.

Andre Villas-Boas' had looked the goods at times last week in their eventual 4-2 loss to Chelsea and it was an impressive start to today's fixture with Bale heading home with vigour from Tom Huddlestone's floated cross in the 15th minute.

Tottenham grabbed a second six minutes prior to the break when Dempsey scuffed home from close range after Jose Fonte had cleared Jermain Defoe's effort off the line.

Southampton gave themselves a chance in the 66th minute when Rodriguez hammered home with a follow-up after Fonte's flick from Danny Fox's corner was saved by Brad Friedel.

Rodriguez almost equalised for the home side three minutes after his goal with a half-volley that was kept out before Spurs held on for dear life with Southampton producing a number of late chances.

In the end though, Tottenham got the points to move to fourth as Southampton's mediocre beginning to the season continued as they sit second bottom after nine outings.

Southampton: 1 (Jay Rodriguez 66') Tottenham: 2 (Gareth Bale 15', Clint Dempsey 39')

St Mary's Stadium, Southampton - 31,944

Yellow cards:SOU - nil TOT - Sandro 65', Jan Vertonghen 75', Jake Livermore 90+3'