UK Edition
Son Heung-min hails Tottenham's patient approach
Heung-Min Son praised yet another Tottenham late show after his crisply-struck shot, seven minutes from the end, finally broke Newcastle’s resourceful rearguard action and allowed relief to sweep around Wembley’s less than half-full bowl.
Patience is a virtue that Tottenham followers have grown to appreciate this year, with seven points having been accrued from the last three matches thanks to goals registered in the final 10 minutes.
That is the difference between still having a realistic interest in the race to the Premier League title and battling to remain in the top four.
Harry Winks waited until the 93rd minute to seal victory at Fulham last month before Watford were sunk in midweek with goals from Son, in the 80th minute, and Fernando Llorente seven minutes later.
So it came as little surprise, especially considering the constant home pressure, when Son drove a 20-yard shot between the legs of unfortunate Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to settle matters on Saturday and keep Tottenham firmly in the title hunt.
“I think patience was very important. Against such a team it is very difficult to score goals but we had a very good mentality, we were patient and at the right time we found the solution,” Son said after his weekend match-winner.
“We have done it in a few games and every single game it is a different solution. It is very important to believe that we can score in every single moment and that was the most important factor.
“Sometimes you score so easily but it can change. We did it on Wednesday [against Watford] and we did it again today. It shows great character.”
There’s no doubting Son’s character. Any fears that the South Korean would return from the United Arab Emirates with an Asian Cup hangover have been firmly dispelled with two energetic displays, with a pair of crucial strikes to match.
And it was Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham manager, who engineered a solution to the Newcastle conundrum on Saturday.
The arrival of Danny Rose and a switch to three at the back in the closing stages finally unlocked the way to victory.
The rejig provided a more central role for Son, behind Llorente, who had replaced the less effective Lucas Moura. Thus, when the key moment arrived, Son, stationed in a central position on the edge of the penalty area, was perfectly placed to put away Llorente’s touch.
It meant Tottenham had claimed a Premier League record of 29 successive matches without a draw, overtaking Bolton’s run of 28 in 2011, testimony perhaps to the Londoners’ abiding refusal to settle for a share of the spoils.
Newcastle, again displaying many of the qualities that had shut down Manchester City in their notable midweek triumph at St James’ Park, had certainly made life difficult for Tottenham,
Organised, hard-working and with a five-man defence manning the barricades, the visitors’ sense of adventure was limited but the depths of their resolve beyond question. It was all epitomised by Fabian Schar’s acrobatic 65th-minute goal-line clearance from Christian Eriksen.
Wembley is not a happy venue for the Tynesiders, who have now lost on each of their last eight visits since a FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in 1955.
Yet how different it might all have been had the towering Salomon Rondon not steered his header on to a Tottenham post soon after the interval when it appeared easier to score.
Rafael Benitez, the Newcastle manager, believes his pair of January signings – Miguel Almiron, who has expected to receive his work permit early this week, and late substitute Antonio Barreca – will help treat the long-suffering Toon faithful to a more expansive style in the weeks ahead.
He said: “These kind of games you always have to defend but Almiron and Barreca are both offensive players. Both can produce a final ball and can go forward. They are fine on the ball and play with some pace. It is something that we needed.”
With Wolves, Huddersfield and Burnley on Newcastle’s February itinerary, the new recruits have arrived at just the right time.