Hugo Lloris claims Tottenham have achieved greatness this season as they try to finish above Arsenal in the league for the first time in 21 years.

A draw at Newcastle on Sunday will seal second place for Spurs behind champions Leicester – as long as Arsenal do not beat Aston Villa by an improbable margin and finish with a better goal difference than Tottenham’s.

Spurs are faltering as they approach the finishing line, having taken only two points from their last three matches. But Lloris insists this dip in form must not obscure the work done this season.

“This year has been a real transition for us to become a great team,” he said. “The experience we have had this season will help this young team a lot over the next few years. We will be ready to compete again from the start of next season because we are aware of our potential.

“The improvement we have made over the last couple of years is amazing. The manager (Mauricio Pochettino) and his staff have brought a lot to the team and the players. We have changed the mentality of the club.

“We have added hunger, desire, passion and emotion to our game and that is what will help us achieve things in the future. When you have a young team with those qualities, you have the perfect mix and I think we are heading in the right direction.”

Tottenham have not finished above Arsenal since 1995 and have been in the shadow of their north London rivals during that period.

Spurs are assured of a place in the group stages of the Champions League next season whatever the result at St James’ Park, but clinching second place would make this campaign far more satisfying for them.

Tottenham vs Southampton: Player Ratings 12 show all Tottenham vs Southampton: Player Ratings 1/12 Player Ratings? Who impressed at the Lane? 2/12 Hugo Lloris: 5 The Frenchman had little to do throughout the game but was at fault for Steven Davis' equaliser on the half-hour mark and will be disappointed with himself. 3/12 Kyle Walker: 5 Although Dusan Tadic proved to be a little workshy in regards to tracking back Walker rarely got the better of the Serbian midfielder, who was a constant threat. 4/12 Toby Alderweireld: 6 Caught out by Shane Long's pace on a couple of occasions and did not cut the composed figure which has earned him so many plaudits this season. 5/12 Jan Vertonghen: 6 Stepped out from defence confidently whenever the opportunity arose but, like Alderweireld, struggled to cope with Shane Long's speed. 6/12 Danny Rose: 6 The full back was charged with stifling an in-form Sadio Mane and won his individual duel. Far from flawless, but refused to give up on a number of lost causes and bombed up and down the flank in searing heat. 7/12 Eric Dier: 6 The midfielder did not look as assured without Mousa Dembele alongside him and was bypassed by Davis far too easily for the Northern Irishman's second goal. 8/12 Ryan Mason: 5 Started well enough but when Southampton began to turn the screw the game passed the midfielder by. Simply unable to fill Dele Alli's shoes. Julian Finney/Getty Images 9/12 Erik Lamela: 6 Involved in plenty of nice interchanges and claimed an assist for the goal, even if his pass did not appear to be intentionally aimed at Heung-min Son. 10/12 Christian Eriksen: 6 Missed an early chance, which ended up epitomising his entire performance. Encouraging in glimpses but, overall, lacking a cutting edge. 11/12 Heung-min Son: 7 Tottenham's best players. The South Korean scored his fourth goal of the season with an accomplished finish when he refused to give up on what was a lost cause and got his just rewards. A real livewire but eventually ran out of steam and was withdrawn. 12/12 Harry Kane: 6 Not the striker's best afternoon. He did not fashion many chances and spurned the ones which fell his way, the most notable of which was an effort on the stroke of half time when it appeared easier to pass to Erik Lamela rather than go it alone. 1/12 Player Ratings? Who impressed at the Lane? 2/12 Hugo Lloris: 5 The Frenchman had little to do throughout the game but was at fault for Steven Davis' equaliser on the half-hour mark and will be disappointed with himself. 3/12 Kyle Walker: 5 Although Dusan Tadic proved to be a little workshy in regards to tracking back Walker rarely got the better of the Serbian midfielder, who was a constant threat. 4/12 Toby Alderweireld: 6 Caught out by Shane Long's pace on a couple of occasions and did not cut the composed figure which has earned him so many plaudits this season. 5/12 Jan Vertonghen: 6 Stepped out from defence confidently whenever the opportunity arose but, like Alderweireld, struggled to cope with Shane Long's speed. 6/12 Danny Rose: 6 The full back was charged with stifling an in-form Sadio Mane and won his individual duel. Far from flawless, but refused to give up on a number of lost causes and bombed up and down the flank in searing heat. 7/12 Eric Dier: 6 The midfielder did not look as assured without Mousa Dembele alongside him and was bypassed by Davis far too easily for the Northern Irishman's second goal. 8/12 Ryan Mason: 5 Started well enough but when Southampton began to turn the screw the game passed the midfielder by. Simply unable to fill Dele Alli's shoes. Julian Finney/Getty Images 9/12 Erik Lamela: 6 Involved in plenty of nice interchanges and claimed an assist for the goal, even if his pass did not appear to be intentionally aimed at Heung-min Son. 10/12 Christian Eriksen: 6 Missed an early chance, which ended up epitomising his entire performance. Encouraging in glimpses but, overall, lacking a cutting edge. 11/12 Heung-min Son: 7 Tottenham's best players. The South Korean scored his fourth goal of the season with an accomplished finish when he refused to give up on what was a lost cause and got his just rewards. A real livewire but eventually ran out of steam and was withdrawn. 12/12 Harry Kane: 6 Not the striker's best afternoon. He did not fashion many chances and spurned the ones which fell his way, the most notable of which was an effort on the stroke of half time when it appeared easier to pass to Erik Lamela rather than go it alone.

Lloris added: “Finishing second would mean we are above the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, and that is a big achievement. It will be a great feeling because we feel competitive.

“We have changed how our clubs see us and that is very important. Now we need to continue in this way. This is just the beginning for Spurs.”

