Football news - Heung-Min Son to the rescue as Spurs win late against Newcastle
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Updated 02/02/2019 at 14:52 GMT
Premier League, Wembley – Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Son 83’) Newcastle United 0
Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 2, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
Heung-Min Son came to Tottenham Hotspur’s rescue, netting a late winner to give his side a 1-0 victory in what was a frustrating encounter against Newcastle United.
The victory temporarily lifts Mauricio Pochettino’s side up to second position in the Premier League and the relief was palpable when Son’s shot hit the back of the net in the 83rd minute to end a shut-out that threatened to deny the home side all three points.
Spurs dominated from start to finish, with Lucas Moura spurning a golden opportunity to open the scoring after 17 minutes, heading wide when he should have found the net. Moments later, Erik Lamela struck the woodwork with a header.
Newcastle ended a strong spell at the start of the second half and hit the woodwork themselves, with Salomon Rondon beating Hugo Lloris with a header across goal. But it was Son who broke the deadlock, squeezing a shot through Martin Dubravka, who should have made the save.
TALKING POINT - How long can Spurs keep grinding out wins like this?
Pochettino’s side have had a favourable run of fixtures since losing Alli and Kane to injury, and yet they have slogged through games against Fulham, Watford and Newcastle. Sure, Spurs have nine points from a possible nine over that stretch and have lifted themselves to second place in the table, but is it really feasible for them to keep grinding out wins like this?
MAN OF THE MATCH - Heung-Min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)
Two games, two goals. Son has made quite the impact since returning from the Asian Cup. With Kane and Alli missing through injury, Spurs needed someone to step up and take a grip of this game and that’s exactly what the South Korean did, scoring what proved to be the winner, albeit with a dose of good fortune. Nonetheless, Son was one of the few on the pitch who looked likely to make something happen.
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham Hotspur - Lloris 6, Trippier 6, Alderweireld5, Sanchez 6, Vertonghen 7, Winks 6, Sissoko 5, Eriksen 7, Lamela 6, Lucas 5, Son 8. Subs - Llorente 6, Rose 5, Dier.
Newcastle United - Dubravka 4, Yedlin 6, Schar 7, Lascelles 6, Lejeune 6, Ritchie 5, Perez 6, Longstaff 6, Hayden 5, Atsu 5, Rondon 6. Subs - Kenedy 5, Barreca 5.
KEY MOMENTS
17’ Should be 1-0 to the hosts! What an opportunity for Spurs to take the lead! How did Moura miss? Lamela floated a lovely cross in for the Brazilian, who was unmarked six yards out... but he heads wide!
24’ Off the woodwork! Inches away from an opener for Spurs! Vertonghen gets a cross into the box, it's flicked on and Lamela meets it at the back post. His header comes back off the corner of bar and post!
30’ Big chance for Perez! Then Rondon! Two opportunities for Newcastle! Perez fluffed his lines 10 yards out, the ball then fell to Rondon, but the striker's shot was blocked by Vertonghen.
51’ Header off the post! Now it's Newcastle's turn to strike the woodwork! Yedlin's cross found Rondon, he hung in the air and then powered a header towards goal. It comes off the post!
65’ Cleared off the line! So close to being an opener Spurs! Son flicked on a corner kick at the near post and then Eriksen flicked it on again. But Schar made the clearance off the line on the stretch.
67’ Lloris denies Perez! Space just opened up for the Newcastle forward there after receiving the pass from Rondon. Lloris makes the spectacular save to deny Perez, though.
81’ Off the line again! Once again, Eriksen is denied. It was a bit of a scramble in the Newcastle United box, but the clearance was made off the goalline to deny the Danish playmaker.
83’ GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Newcastle United: The breakthrough! At long last! Llorente's knockdown found the South Korean, who got the low shot away on goal. Dubravka should have saved it, it was straight at him, but it squeezes underneath he goalkeeper!
KEY STATS
- Heung-Min Son has been directly involved in 14 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions for Spurs (nine goals, five assists).
- Newcastle United have now lost their last eight visits to Wembley in all competitions. Their last win there came in the 1955 FA Cup final.
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