GIVE ME FIVE SON
Korean ace continues streak to ease fears
LA LA LAND: Eric Lamela gets Spurs up and running
HEUNG- MIN SON came to Tottenham’s rescue in the Europa League with his fifth goal in five days.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was given another scare – this time in Macedonia – before they eventually overcame Shkendija to earn themselves a play- off at home to Maccabi Haifa next Thursday.
Son, who scored four goals in Sunday’s win at Southampton, struck again, then turned provider for substitute Harry Kane to head home a third goal to secure the victory.
Kane and Son have become quite the double act, as Kane provided all four assists for Son at St Mary’s and his team- mate repaid the favour in style.
But it took the deadly duo to bail out Spurs after Dele Alli’s big chance ended in disappointment, as he was substituted after an hour to make way for Kane.
Alli was brought in from the cold, had a decent enough game and was unlucky not to score – but when Mourinho needs a goal, he knows he can always rely on Kane and Son.
They are the tried and trusted, go- to men and, ultimately, Mourinho was all smiles after another long European trip in their crazy fixture schedule.
Last week they were 10 minutes from going out to Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria. This time they were more polished – yet their wastefulness before Kane’s introduction almost cost them dear.
It already feels like a long and winding road for Tottenham in the Europa
League but now qualification for the Group stages is in sight.
They were quick out of the blocks and ahead inside five minutes and it did not look as if they would have any of the drama of last week.
Steven Bergwijn’s little flick nudged the ball to Son and his first assist of the night found Erik Lamela in acres of space inside the penalty box, the Argentina midfielder slotting home inside the far post.
Tottenham dominated and were in complete control but with no Kane on the pitch, they were not clinical.
Toby Alderweireld had an effort charged down, while Alli had a shot stopped on the line by a desperate save from Shkendija keeper Kostadin Zahov.
But despite failing to make their possession count, Spurs never looked in danger until the home side produced an absolute worldie with their first shot on target. Valmir Nafiu unleashed one from 20 yards and Mourinho’s back- up keeper Joe Hart had no chance as the ball rocketed into the top corner for a 54thminute equaliser.
It was no surprise when the Spurs boss sent for the cavalry as on came Kane and Giovani Lo Celso for Alli and Harry Winks respectively to try to win the game.
Sure enough, Son came to the rescue after 70 minutes as his red- hot scoring streak continued.
Lucas Moura’s shot was pushed away by Zahov and the ball fell to the South Korean, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Son then provided the left- wing cross for Kane to head powerfully home to claim his third goal of the season
The England captain already looks in unstoppable form.
SHKENDIJA ( 4- 4- 2): Zahov 6; Pavic 6, Bejtulai 6, Murati 6, Krivak 6; Nafiu 7 ( Ramadani, 85), Dita 6 ( Zejnullai, 77), Ahmedi 6, Doriev 6 ( Merdjani, 85); Totre 6, Ibraimi 6. Subs: Sadriu, Neziri, Es Sahhal, Redjepi.
TOTTENHAM ( 4- 2- 3- 1): Hart 6; Aurier 6, Alderweireld 6, Sanchez 6, Davies 6; Winks 6 ( Lo Celso, 60, 6), Ndombele 7; Bergwijn 6 ( Lucas, 66) Lamela 7, Son 8; Alli 6 ( Kane, 60, 7). Subs: Lloris, Doherty, Dier, Sissoko.
REFEREE: Ali Palabiyik ( Turkey) 7.