Spurs squandered the chance to all but guarantee second place as they laboured to a defeat at the hands of Southampton.
It started well for the home side after Heung-Min Son gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side an early lead.
But a brace from Steven Davis for the Saints means Spurs are made to sweat over their top two hopes.
It might not be how they wanted to finish the season but there can be no doubt Spurs have had a season to remember.
Pochettino’s side have already beaten last season’s points tally of 64 and lost under half the amount of games.
But Spurs will rue not being able to beat sides in the top half of the table with just six wins from a possible 18.
Toby Alderwireld has been crucial in Tottenham’s success this season not only at the back but his trademark long passes.
And the Belgian was at it again after just five minutes when he expertly picked out Danny Rose flying down the left wing. The fullback was able to find Christian Eriksen but the Dane’s effort was well saved by Fraser Forster.
Dusan Tadic will feel he should have done a lot better with his cross that flashed across six-yard box but was unable to pick out a Saints player.
Spurs hit the front after 15 minutes through Son and it was expertly taken by the Korean.
Erik Lamela’s ball, meant for Kane, found Son who was able to take it round Forster and beyond two Southampton defenders before coolly slotting into an empty net.
The game was end-to-end and matched the sizzling London weather as both teams continued to search for goals.
But it was Southampton who managed to find a way back into the game through Steven Davis. Tadic’s cutback found Davis whose shot was able to squirm underneath Hugo Lloris and into the net.
Spurs felt referee Jon Moss should have stopped the match before the away side launched an attack with fullback Kyle Walker down with a head injury.
The home side could have restored their lead just before the break after Kane muscled Jose Fonte off the ball as he attempted to shepherd it out of play. But the English forward could not find a way past Forster.
The frenetic pace continued despite the draining conditions and Southampton should have hit the front inside the first ten minutes.
Tadic’s pinpoint cross found Long who was able to get above his man but somehow managed to miss the target completely.
Spurs lacked any sort of penetration from their central midfielders as Pochettino’s side felt the full effect of no Mousa Dembele.
The visitors then found themselves in front through another soft goal.
Good work between Davis and Tadic saw the Northern Irishman work room for a shot which trickled agonisingly into the corner.
Spurs huffed and puffed in the glorious May sunshine but struggled to find an end product as Southampton’s defence stood tall.
The home side had one last effort but Nacer Chadli was denied from six yards by the brilliant Forster.
Spurs: Lloris, Walker, Rose, Alderwiereld, Vertonghen, Dier, Mason (Chadli 75’), Lamela, Eriksen, Son (N’Jie 63’), Kane
Subs: Vorm, Wimmer, Carroll, Winks, Davies
Southampton: Forster, Martina, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrant, Wanyama, Clasie (Romeu 57’), Mane (Pelle 64’), Tadic (Ward-Prowse 83’), Davis, Long
Subs: Stekelenburg, Austin, Yoshida, Soares
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