Heung-min Son returned to form with a sensational hat-trick
(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)A stunning 13 minutes have changed the conversation around Tottenham superstar Heung-min Son.
Ahead of the match, it was about whether Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison could take his spot alongside the talismanic striker Harry Kane.
Initially, Antonio Conte’s decision to leave out the South Korea international seemed sensible. Son had only got one assist and hadn’t scored in his eight games at the beginning of the season, leading to some rare criticism around north London for his lack of impact.
Meanwhile, Richarlison had produced some impressive displays since his £60million move from Everton, registering two goals and two assists in one fewer match. Equally, Kulusevski had the same number of goal involvements (one goal and three) in his nine matches.
It shows an embarrassment of riches that Conte now has at his disposal after being backed again in the transfer market by chairman Daniel Levy this summer.
Conte is now able to do the unthinkable and drop either Kane or Son. Untouchable last season, the broadcasters repeatedly panned their cameras towards the 30-year-old who was sat behind his firebrand coach.
Of course, his side were 3-2 up when he entered the field but they hadn’t been convincing in their display against the side rooted to the bottom of the table without a win.
If it wasn’t for the Foxes’ abject set piece defending, Spurs would have been losing at half-time and they were the inferior team throughout the first 45 minutes.
It was Son along with his fellow substitutes Cristian Romero, Emerson Royal and Yves Bissouma, who changed the game.
It was a near-perfect performance with Son scoring a stunning 20-yard strike after seeing both Jonny Evans and Wout Faes back off through the fear of his pace ahead of his shot.
After scoring the first with his right, he struck a curling 25 yard left foot strike into Danny Ward’s far corner.
The cheers for his goals were the loudest noise of the night inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a third added on the counterattack, striking into Ward’s near post. His teammates looked happy for Son who looked emotional after being left out of an important league game.
He got a standing ovation as he toured the pitch after the final whistle and reserved a hug for fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone before leaving the field for his man of the match interview.
A 6-2 win is a glorious way into the international break with Spurs second in the Premier League table and behind leaders Manchester City only on goal difference.
With the match ball in his hands, Son Heung-min reminded everyone that he is among the most exciting attackers in the world.
