Assault and battery for Rafa as Spurs nick it

Mauricio Pochettino last night dubbed Son Heung-min a “battery” as he powered Spurs up to second in the pile.

Martin Dubravka’s howler dealing with the South Korean’s drive seven minutes from t ime saw them leapfrog Manchester City into second.

The keeper allowed Son’s shot to creep under him when it should have been routine.

It was Son’s ninth goal in 10 club games and boss Pochettino said: “He works so hard, he pushes and never gives up – he tries, tries, tries, tries.

“His effort, with or without the ball, is always very regular and consistent and that is the most important.

“Sonny is like a battery that you have – you work, work, work until the battery is gone.

“He gives you everything and when he is exhausted he says he needs to rest. On the pitch he is always 100 per cent in every action.” While victory for Arsenal at the Etihad today would pile misery on title rivals City, Pochettino insists he will not be an adopted Gunner.

“No. Why? Never,” the Argentine replied when asked if he’d be cheering on Arsenal.

“I want to watch the game but I am not going to be part of one side or another.”

Spurs are making a habit of scoring late winners with Son, who also got the equaliser against Watford three days earlier, bagging their third in successive league games. Lucas Moura had headed wide from six yards, Erik Lamela nodded on to the post while Christian Eriksen’s flick was hooked off the line by Fabian Schar.

Dubravka’s howler sent Spurs second after Toon team-mate Salomon Rondon headed off a post at 0- 0 but boss Rafa Benitez insists the clash didn’t hinge on a single cock-up.

He said: “It is overall which we have to analyse. The chances we had in the first half and then in the second half, when he hit the post at the beginning, that could be the difference for us.”