Tottenham moved into second in the Premier League as Son Heung-min struck late to deny a gallant Newcastle a point at Wembley Stadium.
Tottenham players are ecstatic after snatching win over Newcastle
London:
The away side was well organised and gritty throughout, with Fabian Schar’s acrobatic goalline clearance to deny Christian Eriksen in the second half epitomising its spirit.
Rafael Benitez’s side had chances of its own, with Salomon Rondon heading against the post with the score at 0-0 but its resistance was broken when substitute Fernando Llorente laid the ball off for Son to score a ninth goal in his past 10 Spurs appearances.
The win means Mauricio Pochettino’s side set a Premier League record as it reached 29 matches in a row without a draw, eclipsing Bolton’s mark of 28 set in 2011. Spurs’ lack of draws perhaps shows it refuses to settle and that has certainly been the case in recent weeks with late goals earning wins against Fulham, Watford and now Newcastle.
The snatching of such wins points to the kind of spirit Pochettino has needed from his players when faced with injuries to key names like Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Perhaps no-one has stepped up more than Son.
His return from South Korea duty at the Asian Cup has proven key and just as fatigue looked to be setting in at Wembley, he found the space to win it.
It was the 14th goal he has been directly involved in during his past 10 Tottenham outings and ultimately moved his side above Manchester City — which plays Arsenal on Sunday — and four points behind leader Liverpool.
No-one had more shots than Son’s five but Llorente’s introduction from the bench on the hour was also pivotal as he served up the assist.
Spurs, with help from Dubravka, ultimately found an answer against a side which sat deep in a 5-4-1 formation and threatened in pockets on the break.
Given Lucas Moura headed wide from close range early on, Erik Lamela headed against the bar and Schar’s clearance from Eriksen, few could argue Spurs did not deserve three points.
The South Korean forward benefitted from a Martin Dubravka error with seven minutes left as his powerful 20-yard shot went under the Newcastle goalkeeper’s body.
The away side was well organised and gritty throughout, with Fabian Schar’s acrobatic goalline clearance to deny Christian Eriksen in the second half epitomising its spirit.
Rafael Benitez’s side had chances of its own, with Salomon Rondon heading against the post with the score at 0-0 but its resistance was broken when substitute Fernando Llorente laid the ball off for Son to score a ninth goal in his past 10 Spurs appearances.
The win means Mauricio Pochettino’s side set a Premier League record as it reached 29 matches in a row without a draw, eclipsing Bolton’s mark of 28 set in 2011. Spurs’ lack of draws perhaps shows it refuses to settle and that has certainly been the case in recent weeks with late goals earning wins against Fulham, Watford and now Newcastle.
The snatching of such wins points to the kind of spirit Pochettino has needed from his players when faced with injuries to key names like Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Perhaps no-one has stepped up more than Son.
His return from South Korea duty at the Asian Cup has proven key and just as fatigue looked to be setting in at Wembley, he found the space to win it.
It was the 14th goal he has been directly involved in during his past 10 Tottenham outings and ultimately moved his side above Manchester City — which plays Arsenal on Sunday — and four points behind leader Liverpool.
No-one had more shots than Son’s five but Llorente’s introduction from the bench on the hour was also pivotal as he served up the assist.
Spurs, with help from Dubravka, ultimately found an answer against a side which sat deep in a 5-4-1 formation and threatened in pockets on the break.
Given Lucas Moura headed wide from close range early on, Erik Lamela headed against the bar and Schar’s clearance from Eriksen, few could argue Spurs did not deserve three points.