Marathon man Son the saviour for Spurs again
AFTER covering more than 14,000 air miles and scoring goals in Bangkok and Seoul, you could have forgiven Son Heung-min if weariness was creeping into his muscles as the clock ticked into the 86th minute.
Even so, he summoned the energy for one more run. Tottenham had been hammering away at Luton’s depleted team for much of the second half, having gone behind early in the game and then equalising soon after half-time.
But the visitors had been on the attack, searching for a winner when Son collected the ball, drove forward, released Timo Werner and kept on running. Werner found a change of pace and delivered a low cross from the left. Brennan Johnson nudged it back towards his captain and Son found the net with the help of a deflection.
It was his 160th Spurs goal, lifting him clear of Cliff Jones into fifth in the club’s all-time list. Relief washed around the stadium. Victory felt crucial in the race for the Champions League after a heavy defeat at Fulham last time out.
Ange Postecoglou applauded his players for their patience and refusal to give up. ‘Outstanding,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘He [Son] has been a brilliant footballer for this club for a long time and hopefully for many years to come.
‘He was really unlucky with a couple of chances and some good saves, but when we needed him he was there. I’m sure he feels tired. They are long trips and there’s a time difference, but he never looks for those clutches. He gets on with it. We try to look after him and the proof is there in what he produces.’
Luton went ahead inside three minutes with a goal on the break created by former Spurs winger Andros Townsend, who won possession deep in his own half.
Townsend eased past Yves Bissouma and found Ross Barkley, who displayed the composure to resist the urge to go for goal and instead slid a pass to his left where Tahith Chong applied the finish.
Luton boss Rob Edwards punched the air. His team have scored in 18 successive league games and there were signs his game plan, tracking Tottenham’s blur of movement with man-to-man marking, was working.
Still, there is great attacking quality in Postecoglou’s team. Werner wriggled clear but pulled
the first wide of the far post. The German was dangerous yet erratic as ever in front of goal.
Then Son skipped past keeper Thomas Kaminski only to see his shot strike the inside of one post, fizz square across the line, hit the other and bounce out. Werner lashed the rebound at goal but Issa Kabore made a block. Then Pape Matar Sarr took aim, beat Kaminski and found Teden Mengi on the line to clear. Luton protected their lead until half-time.
Spurs trailed at the break, which is something of a bad habit. In seven home games since the turn of the year, they have not led at the interval. Some home fans booed.
Johnson came on and made an impact, just as against Crystal Palace in the previous home game, forcing the equaliser after a crisp one-two with Pedro Porro and low cross which was turned into his own net by Kabore.
Kaminski made important saves, including one from Johnson, who thought he had scored as the ball spun along the line. Alfie Doughty hooked it clear and the goalline graphics showed one more revolution would have taken it in.
Jordan Clark forced a fine save from Guglielmo Vicario, but it was Son who settled the game. ‘Massive for us,’ said Tottenham’s captain. ‘I was really frustrated but I wanted to stay calm and not show too much emotion.’
Heartbreak for Luton, who slip into the drop zone on goal difference.