The North Londoners gambled away a two-goal lead at St Mary’s (Photo: PA)

Antonio Conte has lashed out at his Tottenham players after their late collapse in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Southampton, accusing them of being “selfish”, not having a fight and “not playing for the team”.

The North Londoners looked ready after a rare away win at St Mary’s as second-half Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic put the side 3-1 ahead after 74 minutes.

But former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott halved the deficit moments later on a disorderly defense before the hosts were awarded a controversial stoppage penalty that sent home James Ward-Prowse.

Conte, whose contract expires at the end of the season and widely expected to leave Spurs, was angry at the penalty decision but even more angry at his own players. the last 20 years.

The visibly angry Italian said after the game: “It was not a penalty for me. Then we stop. We close the situation. The worst situation is what happened on the pitch. What happened in recent months. What is happening in my second season.

“I think it’s the right time to say something because I think after this performance it’s unacceptable for me. We win 3-1, have control and conced two goals and Fraser [Forster] rescues done.

“I think it is better to deal with the problem, we are not a team. We go on the field with 11 players. I see selfish players, players who do not want to help each other and have no heart for it.

Spurs conceded two late goals to lose ground in the top-four race (Image: Getty)

“For today I try to hide the situation and try to improve the situation with words, instead of tactics and technique. It is a situation, about something is the desire, the fire that you must have in your eyes, in your heart You should always have these with you.

“Compared to last season, we are now worse this season in that respect. If you’re not a team, you can’t improve. Remember we played against a Sheffield United team with young players and we got knocked out.

‘[The players need] to understand that we play for the badge. We play to make our fans proud of us. You must have desire. The fire in your eyes If you have this you won’t be eliminated from the FA Cup.

“We have been used to it for a long time. The club is responsible for the transfer market, the coach is responsible. But the players, where are the players? I only see 11 players playing for themselves.”

He continued: “The players don’t want to play under pressure. You don’t want to play under stress. This is the story of Tottenham. Twenty years and they’ve never won anything. Why? Is it the fault of the club or any manager who comes here?

“So far I’m trying to hide the situation. But there are still 10 games left to play. Do people think we can fight? Fight for what? With this attitude, this spirit, this dedication. For the seventh? eighth place? I am really angry.’