Sumptuous Son Strike Seals Important Spurs Win

Sunday 1st May 2022 - 2:00pm

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 1 Leicester City

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Competition: English Premier League

"Pre-Match Thoughts – We were treated to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory courtesy of Bergwijn last time we faced Leicester. With Reguilón ruled out due to a groin injury, it's time for Sessegnon to step it up and start performing at the levels Conte clearly believes he's capable of at left wing-back.

Leicester don't have much to play for in the league and will be fatigued from their European match in midweek. Kane has a superb scoring record against the Foxes and he's due a goal having failed to find the net in his last five matches.

We have to see a return to form today if we're to stand any chance of finishing fourth. I think we'll win 2-0."

Conte handed Moura the chance to impress as he replaced Kulusevski in the starting line-up.

14' A threatening run down the right side by Soumaré who beat Davies before crossing in low, it found Daka who shot for the bottom corner but Lloris dived down to make an excellent fingertip save and knock it onto the post.

16' Spurs almost came unstuck while trying to pass out of the back, as Højbjerg played it to Davies who took a loose touch and in trying to recover under pressure nudged it into Albrighton inside the box. He fizzed it dangerously across goal but Romero slid in to intervene and put it behind. Strong, alert defending from the Argentine.

22' GOAL! Son whipped in an out-swinging corner, Kane dashed towards the near post to meet it and stooped down to nod into the bottom corner. 1-0.

33' Almost a gift for Kane as he latched onto a loose back pass to the keeper and tried to toe-poke into the net, but Schmeichel did well to get down to his right and keep it out from close range.

39' Perez looped it over Højbjerg's head before mishitting a shot from the edge of the area that Daka wasn't far from sneaking in and getting his studs on.

"Thoughts at Half-Time – A few nervy moments to start, but Kane grabbed an important goal to give us the lead heading into the break. Leicester have put together some decent passages of play and we haven't looked the strongest defensively. We'll have to sure things up in the second half if we're to hold onto the three points. Hopefully we can create more openings going forward too."

55' Kulusevski came on for Moura who'd picked up a knock, and he was immediately involved in the action with a run down the right side which went on and on before he unfortunately lost his footing when attempting the shot at the last.

60' GOAL! A huge determined double tackle from Romero as he raced out the back to stomp his way through a standing challenge then slid in to win it again and knock it to Kulusevski. He cut inside then laid it into Son who received it with his back to goal around the penalty spot, he swivelled with it before lacing home left-footed across the keeper and into the bottom right corner. 2-0.

Relief around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A much-welcomed two goal cushion.

79' GOAL! Sublime from Son to score his second and secure the three points for Spurs! Royal had it on the right, he slid it down the line to Kulusevski who cut back and picked out Son in space around the top left corner of the box, he shifted it inside onto his left foot and curled it sumptuously into the far top corner. Super Sonny! 3-0.

89' Vardy beat Dier to a header around the six-yard box but glanced it just wide.

91' Goal. Iheanacho turned by Winks with ease before smashing a shot low from outside the box. Lloris got a fingertip to it, but it crashed against the inside of the post and into the net. A slack moment for Spurs, it was too easy. 3-1.

92' The ball broke to Kane on the edge of the area who shaped a shot for the top corner but he was just off balance which caused his effort to be a fraction too high.

"Thoughts at Full-Time – Job done. It looked like it could have gone either way in the first half, but Spurs put in a strong second half showing to see off the Foxes and put us back into fourth place. All eyes on Arsenal at West Ham now to see if they can peg us back. Then it's down to Spurs again next week away to Liverpool."

Tottenham Player Ratings

• 1. Hugo Lloris – 8 – Superb save in the opening stages to tip Daka's effort onto the post. Stayed alert in the second half to rush out when needed and claw a chance away from the feet of a Leicester forward.

• 4. Cristian Romero – 10 – Outstanding. He's scarily strong in the challenge, you can hear the impacts! Confident and composed in everything he does and simply ran the show from the back today.

• 15. Eric Dier – 8 – Solid at the back, didn't give much away.

• 33. Ben Davies – 7 – Had a dodgy moment that allowed them in on goal in the first half, fortunately he was bailed out by Romero. Did some good work defensively and got things moving quickly going forward.

• 12. Emerson Royal – 7.5 – Big improvement. Did well at the back and looked to be taking more care with it when in possession in the opposition half.

• 30. Rodrigo Bentancur – 8.5 – More instrumental in the middle of the park again today. Nicked in to win the ball on numerous occasions and picked out passes going forward. Eventually subbed off to a standing ovation.

• 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7.5 – Consistent in the midfield again. Worked hard to win possession and find a pass.

• 19. Ryan Sessegnon – 5 – Looked lacking in confidence again. Found himself in a promising position when played in by Kane at one point but a poor touch took it away from him. The one time he went on a real driving run down the left side he stopped to cut back inside and gave it away.

• 27. Lucas Moura – 4 – Failed to make a real impact. Had his pocket picked dallying on the ball. Never really got going and was shown how it's done by Kulusevski when he replaced him.

• 7. Son Heung-min – 9.5 – Crossed the corner to assist Kane's goal. Took his first one well with a turn and finish into the corner. Produced a moment of magic for his second as he curled it into the top corner from outside the area. Received another well-deserved standing ovation.

• 10. Harry Kane – 7 – Headed home with ease for the opener. Showed good movement to meet it. Almost poked home a second shortly after. Relatively quiet in the second half but his opener was vital to how the game panned out.

Substitutions:

• 27. Lucas Moura ⬅ 55' ➡ 21. Dejan Kulusevski – 8.5 – Looked eager to prove a point having been left out of the line-up and he made an immediate impact with a number of excellent dribbling runs. Assisted both of Son's goals in another promising display.

• 30. Rodrigo Bentancur ⬅ 82' ➡ 8. Harry Winks – 4 – Iheanacho past him far too easily to grab the goal at the end. Not anything else of note from him.

• 7. Son Heung-min ⬅ 82' ➡ 23. Steven Bergwijn – 5 – Tried to get involved but struggled to get on the ball.

Man of the Match – 4. Cristian Romero - Son bagged two goals and an assist, but Romero was just incredible at the heart of the defence today, as you can see Son acknowledging in the photo.