IT’S FUN IN Spurs ace hits treble as he’s THE SON
HEUNG-MIN SON has had the kind of wait for a goal this season that only those who have queued at Buckingham Palace recently can relate to.
The Premier League’s joint-top scorer last season had gone around 12 hours without scoring.
And such was his lack of normal gusto that Tottenham boss Antonio Conte dropped him and put Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski either side of Harry Kane against Leicester yesterday.
But Conte’s decision proved just the kick up the backside he needed as the South Korean left the pitch proudly clutching the matchball after firing a 13-minute hat-trick in spectacular fashion. His goals came after strikes from Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Rodrigo Bentancur ramped the heat right up on Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers (right).
Although it must be noted that his side had a decent go for much of the game – and certainly didn’t look like a team not playing for their manager.
They just weren’t good enough to match a Spurs team who could afford to bring such a talent as Son off the bench. This was a cracking game and even though the home side ended up with six, Leicester actually had more shots.
The North London club just took their chances better, though, and fully deserved to win. The game exploded into life in controversial circumstances as the Foxes grabbed the lead after just six minutes.
Tottenham’s players were aggrieved – and understandably so – when Davinson Sanchez was adjudged to have brought down James Justin in the box.
Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot and replays showed there was minimal contact.
But it wasn’t a clear and obvious error – and VAR Andre Marriner did not feel obliged to send him to the monitor.
Justice appeared to be done as Hugo Lloris pulled off a cracking save to deny Youri Tielemans from the spot.
But this time Marriner did intervene, penalising the French ace for moving from his goalline, and the Belgian thumped home the retake.
Spurs were behind for less than three minutes and, of course, it was that man Kane who headed them level, his 18th Premier League goal against Leicester.
Kulusevski fashioned an inswinging cross from the right
with his left boot and the striker rose highest to nod home.
Ivan Perisic then swung over another corner and Dier this time got up highest to head home on 21 minutes.
Spurs arguably should have extended their advantage again before the half-hour mark but Sanchez, who jumped for the ball with Leicester keeper Danny Ward, was penalised for minimal contact as the ball bobbled in after hitting Wilfred Ndidi.
Credit must go to Leicester, as five minutes before the break, they were back on level terms.
Timothy Castagne did well down the right, nodding the ball into his own path before crossing for James Maddison, who wrapped his right boot round the cross and curled his effort home.
Maddison has been the one shining light for the Foxes this season – but, unfortunately for him, those around him have struggled.
Jonny Evans’ pass did not leave Ndidi many options, he dawdled long enough for Bentancur to nick the ball off him and the Uruguayan finished cooly just two minutes after the break.
Lloris then had to make a terrific save to deny Patson Daka before Son entered on 58 minutes.
His first was a beauty, curling home with his right foot from long range, and the second, with his left foot, was more powerful but just as precise.
He thought for a minute his third, a low finish, would be chalked out for offside, but a VAR check ruled him on to everyone in white’s delight.