Pochettino delighted with Son’s double strike
Two goals from Son Heung-min boosted Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League as they comfortably defeated Huddersfield Town 2-0 yesterday.
The South Korean netted in the first half after rounding Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossi, and he added a second after the restart as he headed home Harry Kane’s cross.
The result moves Tottenham five points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea, who are in action tonight at Manchester City.
Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham manager, paid tribute to his side’s goalscorer. He told the BBC: “Son’s performances have been consistent and he is helping the team to achieve. Three points today means we’re in a very good position in the table.”
Of Tottenham’s chances of finishing in the top four for the third successive season, Pochettino added: “There is a long way to go until the end of the season. We are going to fight to take our place in the top four.” Meanwhile, Alan Pardew vowed that his West Bromwich Albion side would not give up on their hopes of avoiding relegation despite slumping to a fifth successive loss as they went down 1-0 at Watford.
Troy Deeney’s goal proved enough to defeat the bottom-placed side, who are eight points adrift of safety with nine games remaining.
“We won’t give up the fight we will keep going until we get something,” Pardew said. “It is tough to stand in front of players and say you haven’t really done much wrong today. Mistakes happen in football. Our defending - throwing our bodies on the line – some of our play was decent. We just have to keep battling.”
Swansea City had begun yesterday in the bottom three in 18th place. But Carlos Carvalhal’s men finished the day in 13th after thrashing West Ham United 4-1 at the Liberty Stadium, with Ki Sung-yueng, Mike van der Hoorn, Andy King and a Jordan Ayew penalty accounting for the goals.
Carvalhal said: “I am delighted, I am proud of my players.
“There is no secret to success. It is hard work, organisation, patience, dedication and correcting mistakes. We are better and better, we are really strong at the moment.”
Stoke City remain 19th in the table after they played out a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Southampton, but manager Paul Lambert remained upbeat.
“Look at the table and three points takes you to 13th I think,” he said. “Momentum is with us. But a big credit to the team for that today.”
Riyad Mahrez’s stoppage time goal earned Leicester a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at home with Bournemouth, while Burnley won for the first time since December 12 as Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood scored in their 2-1 victory over Everton.