SON STARTS THE STADIUM PARTY
Korean star is first to find the net in Spurs’ stunning new ground
The record books will show that the first goal at Tottenham hotspur’s magnificent new stadium was scored by one of their own. Son hueng-min, very much a local hero, if not exactly a local lad.
The 59,215 who were there, however, may recall a different chain of events. Son’s goal, the one that got Tottenham off to a winning start, was the result of a significant deflection off the boot of Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic.
It was a sliding tackle that went horribly wrong, Milivojevic arriving at just the moment Son let fly, meaning his shot took an unnatural trajectory that left goalkeeper Vicente Guaita stranded.
Sometimes the dubious goals panel takes a look at stuff like that, live. Clearly those guys have a sense of occasion. The first goal in a new £1billion arena sounds so much better being scored by a home player Milivojevic (og).
Son was clearly thrilled to write his name in north London folklore. ‘It’s just amazing,’ said the Korean. ‘What an unbelievable stadium. The noise was just so loud.
‘To score the first goal at this stadium... I just want to say thank you to my team-mates and the fans.
‘White hart Lane is our history but the new stadium...I can’t believe it. To play in it is an amazing feeling. It’s a bit different from Wembley. Wembley was not our home.’
Of the second, there was no doubt. With ten minutes remaining and Crystal Palace having to come out of their shell, spaces opened up and Tottenham exploited them. Son found harry Kane on the left who made a strong run into the box before being taken down in a challenge by James McArthur. The 17,500 in the Park Lane end appealed for a penalty, barely noticing that the ball had run loose to Christian eriksen directly in front of goal.
Andre Marriner, a generous decision-maker and commonsense official, had let the play run and was able to give a goal, not a foul. At last the locals could relax. So all was well that ended well. Tottenham got home in time for easter and their fans had a victory to celebrate in a week when one was sorely needed.
With Arsenal and Chelsea both winning, a misstep and Tottenham could have ended the night with the best stadium in the capital, but the third best team. Instead, they returned to London’s No 1 spot, and third in the Premier, even if Arsenal are merely a point adrift with a game in hand.
It is not always easy to win a first game in a new stadium — Arsenal did not manage it against Aston Villa at the emirates — but Tottenham were comfortable here against a Palace team long on grit but short on ambition.
It was only when the match was lost that the visitors played as if they aimed to win it, and Wilfried Zaha forced an excellent save from hugo Lloris.
It was a night for celebrations and souvenirs, too, and there is no doubt Tottenham’s fans have already fallen in love with their new home. The move to Wembley had its uses. Tottenham do not come here from the old White hart Lane with all its history and memories but from close on two years at a neutral venue whose novelty has long faded.
They like it here and next week’s Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City is already tingling a few spines. This was good — but things can also get better.
everything went according to plan, except the bit where Tottenham score nice and early and allow their supporters to relax and enjoy the homecoming.
however, Spurs remained patient in their new home. Two goals from two key players in recent times was the perfect way to start a new era.