Heung-min Son ended his goal drought in sensational fashion
(Picture: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)Heung-min Son made a statement from the bench scoring a 13 minute hat-trick to seal a 6-2 win for Tottenham in a thriller at home to Leicester.
Youri Tielemans’s penalty opened the scoring with Harry Kane and Eric Dier’s headers from corners putting Spurs back in the lead.
James Maddison’s stunning half volley put the scores back level before Rodrigo Bentancur curled finish restored their lead.
Son sealed with win with two stunning strikes before adding a third by beating the offside trap with his pace. It sees Antonio Conte’s side rise to second in the table, behind just Manchester City on goal difference but having played a game more than some of their Premier League rivals.
Hugo Lloris - 7
Initially saved a penalty but it was ruled out for encroachment off the line. There was little he could do about the second which was smashed hard into the corner. He made an important save from Maddison late in the first half and wasn’t at fault for any of the goals.
He made another huge save in the 58th minute from a Patson Daka header. However, Lloris’s distribution was a bit off when Tottenham looked to build from the back.
Davinson Sanchez - 5
The Colombia international gave a penalty away in the fifth minute through an overcommitted tackle on James Justin.
Sanchez’s header was brilliantly saved onto the bar by Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward.Subbed off just after losing out in a dual to Daka. A poor display.
Eric Dier - 6
Dier scored his second goal of the season with a flicked near post but he was part of a weak defensive display.
Clement Lenglet - 6
An important cog in the possession play at the left-centre back, the defender stepped up to help the attack. He was one of the defenders put under pressure by an exciting Leicester attack.
Ivan Perisic - 7
The 33-year-old’s driving run and shot was threatening early on and he was involved in all his side’s attacking play. Produced a one-two for the first goal and got an assist directly from a corner for Dier’s header.
In general, his set-piece delivery with both feet was exceptional.It did feel like the Foxes were able to get some joy down his side.
Rodrigo Bentancur - 8
Bentancur’s mis-control led to a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shot on the edge of the box. Just after half-time he dispossessed Wilfried Ndidi in midfield to dribble and shoot to make it 3-2. It has been a long time coming for the midfielder to get his first goal for Spurs.
He then brilliantly set up Son’s goal by dispossessing Justin in a dangerous area. Bentancur was the match winner.
Pierre-Emile Hojberg - 5
The Dane had a quiet performance in midfield but he couldn’t contribute effectively enough to stopping Leicester’s attacks, leading to an extra midfielder coming on.
Ryan Sessegnon - 5
He was physically bullied by Timothy Castagne who set up the second Leicester goal, unable to cut out a diagonal ball or the subsequent cross.
Dejan Kulusevski - 7
The 22-year-old produced a brilliant inswinging cross for Harry Kane’s eighth minute header. He had a shot blazed over early in the first half.
Still, he came off to a standing ovation in the 70th minute after being a thorn in Leicester’s side.
Harry Kane - 7
His well-timed run for the goal showed the England captain can build partnerships with other players beyond just Son Heung-min.
The 29-year-old netted his 20th goal against Leicester, an opponent who he has scored the most goals against.
Richarlison - 5
Richarlison’s pace and dogged pressing won a corner in the 21st minute. However, he rarely threatened the goal and gave the ball away on several occasions. Ultimately substituted for Son.
Substitutes
Cristian Romero - 6
The Argentina international was another shock omission but he steadied his team after coming on.
Emerson Royal - 6
One of the players most criticised for the midweek defeat away at Sporting Lisbon, Royal was solid after arriving onto the pitch.
Yves Bissouma - 6
Coming on for Kulusevski, Bissouma saw Spurs switch formation to 3-5-2 to help his side control the match. It worked and he produced some good minutes after a tough start under Conte.
Heung-min Son - 9
Son reminded Conte of his worth with a stunning dribble and right footed strike in the 73rd minute.
It drew the biggest cheer of the night as he terrified both James Justin and Wout Faes before curling it past Ward. The South Korean superstar then struck with his left foot, curling a shot from 25 yards to remind the world that he is one of the best at what he does.
Son completed a 14 minute hat-trick after breaking the offside trap and hitting home at the near post by Ward.
