Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton. Much of the attention ahead of this game has been placed on whether Harry Kane can break Alan Shearer's record for Premier League goals scored in a calendar year but both Spurs and the Saints need to get wins on the board to improve their respective league positions. Let's see who Mauricio Pochettino and Mauricio Pellegrino have selected today...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Dele, Son; Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Lamela, Llorente

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Stephens, Yoshida, Hoedt, Targett; Romeu, Lemina, Hojbjerg; Boufal, Redmond, Long

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTES: McCarthy, McQueen, Pied, Ward-Prowse, Davis, Tadic, Gabbiadini

First of all, let's take a look at the Spurs team with Pochettino opting to make two changes to the team which began Saturday's win over Burnley. Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele are the players to come into the side, with Ben Davies and Moussa Sissoko dropping out.

It means that Kieran Trippier starts on the substitutes' bench for the second game in succession with Serge Aurier being preferred at right-back, and Eric Dier passing a late fitness test on a calf problem to take his spot in the starting lineup alongside Dembele in midfield.

Pochettino also had the option of bringing in Erik Lamela for one of his regular attacking quartet, but the Argentine has decided to keep the same front four that impressed in the North-West. That said, the fixture list has been kind to Spurs so there was little reason to rotate for today's match.

It's a strong-looking bench with Harry Winks being able to return after a minor issue with his ankle. Fernando Llorente is again in reserve as the Spaniard continues to wait for his first start for Spurs in the Premier League.

As far as Southampton are concerned, the big news again centres around Virgil van Dijk, who is not involved for a third match in succession. However, there are four changes in total, and Ryan Bertrand does not return from injury.

In attack, Shane Long has been given the nod to replace the injured and suspended Charlie Austin. The Irishman continues to be without a goal since February so he will be looking to end that streak before the year has come to a conclusion.

The defence remains the same but there are alterations in midfield with Steven Davis, James Ward-Prowse and Dusan Tadic all dropping out. Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Sofiane Boufal are the players to be brought in by Pellegrino.

We can't start this build-up anywhere else but taking a look at Kane, who needs one more goal to set a new mark for Premier League goals scored in a calendar year. Alan Shearer has held the record for 22 years but with Kane having equalled Shearer's mark of 36 during Saturday's 3-0 win over Burnley at the weekend, the England international can move past that today.

As far as Kane's record this season is concerned, the 24-year-old has scored 15 goals in 18 matches in the top flight. Kane also has seven goals in his last seven league games and his return this campaign is all the more impressive when you consider that he did not find the back of the net in August. Still, he tends to score in bunches rather than always netting match-defining goals so if there was a criticism of the forward, that would be it.

Pochettino has understandably been speaking highly of Kane in recent days, saying: "I think he still can improve. He's 24, I think the player arrives at their best at 27, 28, 29, depending how professional you are, but Harry Kane, if he keeps that mentality, keeps working hard every day in the training sessions and never changes that mentality, he can play until he wants to."

If Kane can still improve, that only spells trouble for defences all over Europe...

Moving away from Kane and Spurs as a club have responded well to their dismal showing during November. Nine points and 11 goals have come from four games, with their sole defeat by a 4-1 scoreline coming at runaway leaders Manchester City. I'm sure their supporters will quickly forget that setback providing that wins come from their upcoming matches...

That burst of form has taken Spurs past their own record for a calendar year, with 84 points being registered during 2017. Today is their last opportunity to improve that return due to the rescheduling of the New Year's Eve showdown with West Ham United.

One stat which Southampton won't enjoy hearing is regarding Spurs' record in Boxing Day fixtures. The North Londoners are unbeaten in their last 11 matches, with Portsmouth the last team to prevail against the club in 2003.

The general consensus is that Dele Alli has endured an average first half to the season but the playmaker enjoys taking on Southampton with four goals coming from three matches. The 21-year-old is without a goal in 10 matches in all competitions, so keep an eye on that streak coming to an end this afternoon.

As for the Saints, Pellegrino is starting to come under more pressure with the club now sitting just three points above the relegation zone. The head coach has put it down to one thing, saying: "We are in the middle of the season and obviously we couldn't show consistency, especially in results, because we couldn't win even those games we deserve to win and we create a lot of chances. Football is efficiency to score goals and to convert. Still, we've got 50% of the tournament to bounce back and try to change this mood and it has to start on Tuesday."

Taking - or failing to take - chances has been the story of Southampton's season and they must attempt to find a solution over the next three games without Austin. The 28-year-old spent much of the opening months on the bench, but before his injury and suspension, he had contributed six goals from his last seven outings.

Austin has scored exactly a third of Southampton's goals in the Premier League this season, meaning that a further 12 have been netted from elsewhere. It's a dire return, with only another half-a-dozen players getting on the scoresheet. Gabbiadini and Steven Davis are joint second with three efforts apiece but they are both on the bench this afternoon!

At the other end of the pitch, Pellegrino must deal with speculation over Van Dijk's future. The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move to either Liverpool or Manchester City but Pellegrino wants to concentrate on matters on the pitch. Click here to see what he has to say.

Van Dijk has spent the majority of the last 10 games in the side but it still hasn't led to Southampton keeping a clean sheet. Not since the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on October 21 have the South-coast outfit managed to shut out the opposition.

Not many clubs visit Wembley twice in a calendar year - not unless you're Spurs - but Southampton are doing just that having reached the EFL Cup final earlier in the year. Back in February, they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. Gabbiadini scored both of his team's goals on that day. You can't help but think that Pellegrino may have missed a trick with the Italian frontman today.

We've already mentioned about Spurs possessing an 11-game unbeaten record on Boxing Day, but Southampton are also undefeated in six outings. Their respective spells without defeat should probably lead to us predicting a draw, but that's not the way we are going to go...

PREDICTION! Spurs are starting to show a ruthless streak in front of goal again and we are backing them to take advantage of Southampton's recent poor form. Whether Kane gets himself in the record books or not, we are predicting a 3-1 victory for the home side.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's game represents the 190th time in which these two teams have met in a competitive fixture, with Spurs claiming 79 wins in comparison to 62 victories for Southampton.

However, the Saints don't possess such a respectable record since 2012, when they returned to the top flight. Spurs have recorded eight wins and one draw from 10 matches, with Southampton's only triumph coming in May 2016 when Spurs had just failed to maintain their challenge against Leicester City at the top of the standings.

Last season's corresponding fixture at White Hart Lane in March and Spurs ran out 2-1 winners with Eriksen and Alli both netting in the first half. Click here to see how that game panned out.

The two teams have made their way out at Wembley. A quick reminder of the team news...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Dele, Son; Kane

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Stephens, Yoshida, Hoedt, Targett; Romeu, Lemina, Hojbjerg; Boufal, Redmond, Long

KICKOFF! Southampton get us underway.

It's certainly not a full house at Wembley and maybe the lack of atmosphere has contributed to a slow start from Spurs. Vertonghen takes too much time on the ball and gifts Southampton a free kick on the left flank.

The inswinging delivery hits the wall before Lloris comes out to punch the ball clear of danger. Southampton need to make more of situations like that one.

Really sloppy play from Romeu gifts Eriksen a chance to shoot on goal from distance but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Rose takes the set piece but Southampton get the ball away at the second attempt.

CHANCE! Spurs counter with pace and after Alli sets up Eriksen to cross for Kane at the near post, the forward diverts the ball wide. It wasn't an easy chance, but you would have expected him to do better.

SHOT! Southampton are making so many individual mistakes. Romeu was the guilty party again and it led to Dier sending a curler towards goal from 20 yards, only for Forster to punch the ball away.

In all fairness to the visitors, they are having their moments going forward. Long's pace is causing problems. However, every time that Spurs go forward, you are expecting a goal and it is difficult to see Southampton keeping their hosts out for 90 minutes.

Southampton look confident enough on the ball when they are attempting to go forward, but on occasions, they are over-playing in their own half and Spurs are taking the chance to press.

SHOT! This would have been a worldie. Sanchez's floated pass finds the run of Alli, who attempts a first-time volley from inside the penalty area. It goes over the bar, but the midfielder doesn't look short of confidence.

Southampton are starting to settle into this one. Spurs remain the better side but they are not having it all their own way.

What Southampton are doing well is playing threatening balls in behind the Spurs defence. It means that the home side are having to sit that little bit deeper to contend with the pace of Redmond and Long.

We have reached the 20-minute mark and while we remain without a goal, it has been a promising start to this match. Southampton are defending well, but they are also sitting deeper and deeper...

BOOKING! Hojbjerg goes into the book for a cynical trip on Rose as the left-back was about to enter the penalty area.

There goes the record! Harry Kane scores his 37th Premier League goal of 2017, breaking Alan Shearer's 22-year record. It was so simple, too. Eriksen's inswinging free kick gave the forward the chance to head home from no more than three yards out.

CHANCE! Rose has nearly put through his own net! Boufal's shot was only parried by Lloris and Rose attempted to head back to his goalkeeper. However, he almost sends the ball over Lloris, who needs to tip the ball onto the post!

Since the goal, Southampton have been all over Spurs. It's been an excellent response. Rose is forced to put the ball behind for a corner, but the cross evades everyone and Spurs survive.

This is terrible from Boufal. He gets one on one with Aurier and attempts to play in Targett on the overlap. However, his three-yard pass has too much pace on it and it goes out for a goal kick.

Spurs are attempting to slow down the pace of this game. Even with a lead, they are having to contend with a lively Southampton attack. The home side's back four have not looked assured.

SHOT! Better from Spurs, with Dembele playing the ball to Eriksen who advances into the penalty area. I'm not sure if his low strike is meant as a shot or a cross but it goes just wide of the far post.

A nice touch from Shearer, who has taken to social media to congratulate Kane...

You've had a magnificent 2017 @HKane. You deserve to hold the record of most @premierleague goals in a calendar year. Well done and keep up the good work. 👏🏻🙋🏼‍♂️ — Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) 26 December 2017

Kane is eyeing more goals this afternoon and he takes responsibility for a free kick on the edge of the box. However, his effort hits the wall and the ball goes out for a throw-in.

SHOT! Another effort from Kane, with this strike going high into the stands from 25 yards. He's getting a little carried away...

My word, this is a sensational team goal. Eriksen to Alli, who turns a defender and slips the ball through to Son, who crosses from the byline and sets up Kane for the tap-in. Superb. That's 38 Premier League goals from 2017...

Rose has taken a sore one to his ankle. After Redmond passed the ball, his follow-through led to his studs going down Rose's ankle. It almost buckled, so in that regard, he's extremely lucky. It was accidental from Redmond.

Southampton try to halve the deficit before the break but Long's knockdown for Romeu is directed well wide of the post.

There will be one-minute of added-on time. Southampton have a free kick from around 50 yards out, but it comes to nothing.

The half-time whistle goes at Wembley and Spurs are well on course for another three points thanks to two goals from Kane, who now has 38 goals in the Premier League for 2017. The double - a new record - looks to be taking Spurs back into the top four in the table.

Kane's record-breaking goal came from just three yards out, with the 24-year-old heading home after meeting Eriksen's free kick. The second also came from inside the six-yard box but only after Eriksen, Alli and Son have done superbly to create the chance.

Spurs have also had chances through Dier and Alli but Southampton just about remain in this match. To their credit, the Saints have had their own moments at Wembley but they are desperately short of a clinical touch in the penalty area.

While Southampton have done ok, you feel that Pellegrino cannot wait too long before making a change. There is plenty of effort, but Ward-Prowse or Tadic will surely be introduced before too long.

The two teams are slowly but surely making their way back out at Wembley. We will be underway shortly.

KICKOFF! Spurs get us started in the second half.

CHANCE! This was the moment for Long! A mistake from Dier leads to Long running clear of Sanchez but the striker hesitated as he entered the box and his effort was comfortably saved by Lloris.

WOODWORK! Southampton go close again! Lemina does well on the edge of the box before drilling a left-footed strike off the top of the crossbar! Lloris was beaten.

And just like that, it's game over. Alli gets the chance to shoot from the edge of the box and the midfielder is able to curl a low strike into the far bottom corner from 20 yards. That's his fifth goal in four games against Southampton, and his first in all competitions in 11 matches.

This is harsh on Southampton. A mistake from Redmond leads to Alli breaking clear from midfield and playing in Son, who drills a shot across Forster and into the far corner.

SUBSTITUTION! Pochettino takes the chance to bring off Dembele, who has just sustained a knock. Sissoko is on in his place.

SHOT! This is greedy from Romeu, but at the same time, you can't really blame him. Rather than set up a teammate inside the penalty area, the Spaniard shoots from 20 yards and forces Lloris into a save low down to his right.

CHANCE! Kane almost gets his hat-trick. The forward is played in down the right-hand side of the penalty area before firing marginally wide of the far post. Forster wasn't saving that had it been on target.

BOOKING! Long becomes the second Saints player to pick up a yellow after fouling Aurier.

This game is simply a case of how many will Spurs score? They will surely add to their current tally. Southampton are being overwhelmed.

Kane is popping up all over the pitch as Spurs showboat their way forward. The forward's left-wing cross almost finds Son at the back post but Targett is able to put the ball behind.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Southampton make two alterations, with Tadic and Gabbiadini replacing Lemina and Redmond.

Is the comeback on? Probably not, but the Saints have a deserved consolation. The ball finds its way to Boufal on the left flank and the attacker proceeds to drill a shot inside Lloris's near post. The goalkeeper should do much better.

To Pellegrino's credit, he hasn't given up this game. Southampton are throwing men forward, but you have to think that Spurs will capitalise at some point. No sign of any more alterations from Pochettino.

Southampton are probably best just trying to keep the score down. Spurs break down the right through Son who quickly finds Alli in the centre. The midfielder bides his time before setting up Kane, who clips the ball over Forster from 10 yards for his eighth hat-trick of 2017. What a man.

SHOT! Back come Southampton and Stephens is the latest player to try his luck, with a low strike being tipped behind by Lloris.

I'd expect Spurs to ease down a touch now. Kane is the obvious change now that he has got his hat-trick, although he is just one goal short of equalling Teddy Sheringham's record for most Premier League goals for Spurs.

Southampton - and Long - almost score from a fine cross from Gabbiadini but Vertonghen makes an astonishing clearance off the line. The wait goes on for Long...

SUBSTITUTION! A second Spurs change sees Lamela replace Son. We might see a change in referee soon because the official has picked up a knock.

This game is like those matches you would have at lunchtime at school. It's attack versus defence and I think Pellegrino is just trying to give his side practice in front of goal.

Just the 10 minutes to go now. It's been a thoroughly entertaining game which both teams have contributed to.

SHOT! Hojbjerg tries his luck from distance and Lloris is forced to make a stunning stop to tip his 20-yarder over the crossbar.

This is a ridiculous game of football. Lloris's punch from a corner only reaches the edge of the box and Tadic is able to find the net from around 16 yards out. Lloris should do much better with this effort too.

SUBSTITUTIONS! A final change for both teams. For Spurs, Winks replaces Alli and for the Saints, McQueen comes on for Targett.

Forget the players. I'm going to require a rest after this game. This second half is a definite top-10 contender for most entertaining halves of football in the Premier League in 2017.

On another day, Southampton will feel like they could have gotten something from this game. They are still ploughing men forward. It's not been their worst performance of late.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

Both teams still want more goals but I think that is going to be it with Gabbiadini firing just wide from 20 yards.

The full-time whistle goes at Wembley and Spurs have completed a 5-2 win over Southampton in a terrific encounter. Kane's treble made the difference, but Alli and Son also chipped in with goals. Boufal and Tadic added consolations for Southampton. Spurs move into fourth place with Southampton remaining in 13th position.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our match report from today's game, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.