Super sub Son shines as Spurs sink Hammers
BACK into the top four and with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in their telepathic groove again, Tottenham’s disc jockey reached for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on his celebratory playlist. Oh what a night. Late December back in ’63, a time when, incidentally, Spurs were losing at home to West Brom. That aside, this was an emphatic second-half display as they swept West Ham aside with glee. Despite a spluttering run of form, they retain every chance of finishing fourth. Still in the FA Cup and trailing by only one goal after the away leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with AC Milan, it could yet be a memorable season. Son came off the bench and found the net within five minutes, an electric burst of pace and a touch to collect the pass threaded through by Kane, and a confident finish to beat Lukasz Fabianski. It was only his second Premier League goal since September, when he came on as a sub to score three in a six-goal romp against Leicester. This time he shared the limelight with Emerson Royal, scorer of the opener in a sweeping counterattack. Climbing above Newcastle into fourth, it eased the pain for absent boss Antonio Conte, watching from home in Turin after being advised to rest after recent surgery. It is now six wins out of six for Crisitan Stellini when deputising for Conte, three wins here at Tottenham to go with three when they were at Inter. ‘We knew Son’s response would be perfect because he is a perfect guy,’ Stellini said of his super sub. ‘It was an important moment. With a win we can reach again fourth place. It’s important to be consistent.’ Son added: ‘Nobody wants to sit on the bench but it’s a decision you have to accept. I got the chance and I was happy to score.’ David Moyes’ Hammers are stuck in the bottom three with 15 games left, and the Scot wants a reaction for Saturday’s visit of Nottingham Forest. ‘I’ll be looking to see the colour of the players’ eyes,’ he said. ‘I can imagine what colour mine will be. The players have been challenged now, let’s see who’s up for the fight.’ Jarrod Bowen gave Spurs an early scare when he found space on the edge of the penalty box and crashed a shot wide. The home side grew into the game, Cristian Romero running through his full repertoire of reckless sliding tackles and Conte’s team dominating by the time referee Michael Oliver rejected a strong penalty appeal midway through the first half. There was no doubt the ball struck centre-half Thilo Kehrer on the hand. Crouching low to challenge Richarlison in a crowded penalty area, he stopped a pass intended for Kane, trapping it between his left hand and the turf. Spurs improved after the break, moving the ball around with greater urgency. Twice, they broke through on Fabianski’s goal, Richarlison’s shot too close to the keeper. Then Dejan Kulusevski dispossessed Declan Rice and found Kane, who dragged wide. The breakthrough came when Hojbjerg’s long pass released Ben Davies, who cut inside and found Royal unmarked to score with a first-time finish. Son came on and linked up with Kane for the second. It was the 45th combination goal between them in the top flight. In between the goals, Spurs were grateful to Fraser Forster for a fine save from Bowen. The clean sheet will be a boost for the ex-Celtic No1, unfortunate to concede the rebound after making a miraculous reflex save against Milan last week.