A transformed Spurs continue their early-season surprise with a come-from-behind win.
Tottenham came from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the fifth round of the 2023-2024 English Premier League (EPL) on Saturday (Oct. 16) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. With their fourth straight win, Tottenham are now unbeaten in their opening five matches. With five consecutive multi-goal offensive performances, Spurs leapfrogged Liverpool into second place. Meanwhile, after three straight defeats, Sheffield Wednesday, who picked up a point at Everton last time out, suffered another disappointing defeat as they failed to secure their first win away to Tottenham.
Son Heung-min started up front on the day. Although the game was played in England, the aftermath of the back-to-back A-Matches was evident. Wearing the captain’s armband, Son played Wales in Cardiff and Saudi Arabia at St. James’ Park. After a 0-0 draw with Wales, South Korea won 1-0 against Saudi Arabia. It was Jürgen Klinsmann’s first win as head coach. Son Heung-min played his heart out in both matches. Despite failing to score an attacking goal, his performance was good. Against Saudi Arabia, he was brought down by a tackle in his lone chance, but was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty.
Son Heung-min just had his best round yet. Son Heung-min exploded for a hat trick against Burnley in the fourth round of the 2023-2024 EPL on Wednesday at Turf Moor in Burnley, England. It was Son’s first hat trick in the league this season. It was his fourth hat-trick in the EPL. After playing a supportive role in the previous three games, Heung-min was transformed into a creator on this occasion, showing off his incredible decision-making skills. The Spurs went on to win the match 5-2. Spurs (3-1-1) are now unbeaten in their opening four games. Spurs’ new manager, Enze Postecoglou, joins Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood and Antonio Conte as managers with 10 points from their opening four games. The 5-2 victory was their biggest away win by goal difference since a 6-1 win over Manchester United in October 2020.
On the day, Postecoglou opted for a 4-2-3-1 system. He started Son Heung-min up front, instead of Heung-Song. After starting on the left wing in the previous three matches, Son was in full-on support mode. Against Man United and Bournemouth, he made a whopping four key passes and was the link in the attack. He was highly praised by the pundits, but his goal was the only thing that was missing. Heung-min’s strengths are his precise and powerful shots with both feet.
After winning the Puskas Award for his 70-meter storming run against Burnley, the frontline striker showed his trademark fixer instincts. Heung-min Son flew again against Burnley. It was a slow start. Burnley exploded into the lead just four minutes into the game. Luca Corleone’s cross was headed home by Lyle Foster.
It was just a rehearsal for Son Heung-min. Heung-min struck in the 16th, 18th, and 21st minutes of the second half to put Burnley away. His first goal was a characteristic sprint to create an attacking opportunity. He calmly exchanged passes with Solomon and shook the opposition. Heung-min found the back of the net with a picturesque right-footed chip shot that beat the keeper and two defenders. In the 18th minute of the second half, Son found the back of the net with another calm shot off a pass from Solomon. Three minutes later, he completed his hat trick with a neat left-footed finish off a pass from Foro. It was a goal that showcased good penetration and finishing. It was a masterpiece of a goal and a testament to Son Heung-min’s ability.
In reality, it was a mixed bag. Postecoglou rested Heung-min in the 27th minute of the second half, substituting him for Hischalisson. Postecoglou showed his affection for Son by hugging him tightly.
With his hat-trick, he surpassed his role model Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nasr). Since joining Tottenham in August 2015, Son has scored 106 goals in the EPL. He surpassed Ronaldo with 103 and Didier Drogba (retired) with 104. He is tied for 30th on the list with former Tottenham player Darren Bent. Ryan Giggs (109), Peter Crouch (108), and Paul Scholes (107) are also within striking distance.
“One of the reasons we haven’t signed a replacement for Harry Kane is Son Heung-min,” Postecoglou said. “He has all the attributes, whether it’s in the center or on the flanks. He can play in any system. In the way we play, he is ideal.” He suggested that he would continue to use Son up front.
Son was all smiles: “It’s always difficult to play against Burnley. We conceded the first goal, but we fought back strongly.” “I’m the captain, but I have a lot of great players around me. They help me a lot,” he laughed.
He added: “My role is very easy. I always try to lead by example and smile. I try to be responsible on and off the field.” “It’s hard to choose between the three goals. The most important thing is that we got the three points.”
The team has been receiving rave reviews in the UK based on its strong performance. The EPL Secretariat announced the EPL Team of the Week for the fourth round of the 2023-2024 season on its official website on Friday. The team was handpicked by EPL legend Alan Shearer, who holds the title of EPL’s top scorer. “He seems to relish the pressure that comes with being a key player for the team,” Shearer said. It’s been almost a year since Son was named to the EPL Team of the Week.
He joined Holland and Ferguson, who both scored hat tricks on the same day, as frontline strikers. It’s been 28 years since three players have scored a hat trick in the same round. In midfield, Lucas Paqueta (West Ham), Rice and Billy Gilmour (Brighton) were selected alongside Son’s new partner James Maddison (Tottenham). Paqueta scored a brace against Luton Town, while Gilmour picked up an assist.
In defense, Joe Gomes (Liverpool), Willy Boly and Worrall (both Nottingham) were selected. “It’s hard to fault Gomes’ play,” Shearer said. It was an impressive performance,” Shearer said, giving him a thumbs-up. The goalkeeper is Jordan Pickford (Everton). Shearer picked Tottenham’s Postecoglou as manager of the week.
Son Heung-min was previously named to the BBC’s Team of the Week. BBC analyst Garth Crooks announced the EPL Team of the Week for the fourth round of the 2023-2024 season on the BBC website on Thursday. Son Heung-min was named as a left back in the 3-4-3 formation. It is his first selection of the season. “It was one of the best games I’ve seen him play,” Crooks said, adding that wearing the captain’s armband after the Harry Kane transfer seemed to have a positive effect on Son.
Holland and Ferguson were named alongside Son up front. In the midfield, Tottenham’s new ‘wizard’, Maddison, was selected. Rice, Martin Ødegaard (both Arsenal) and Dominic Soboslaj (Liverpool), who was the star of the win over Man United, filled the remaining spots.
Defender Cristian Romero formed a back three with Kurt Zouma (West Ham) and Joe Worrall. Tottenham’s captains – Son Heung-min, Maddison, and Romero – were all named to the team of the week. Pickford was named Goalkeeper of the Week for his super-save performance.
There was also a relay of praise from legends. Jermaine Jenas, a “Tottenham legend,” gave a thumbs-up to Son, saying on the BBC on Friday that “Heung-min has come full circle. The former England international, who was a key midfielder for Tottenham from 2005 to 2013, praised Enze’s attacking style of soccer for reviving Spurs and Heung-min. “Tottenham are starting to play a new style of football now, pressing from high up the pitch. You can see the whole team enjoying the edge ball,” he said. “Anyone who watched Tottenham last year would have noticed that Son Heung-min wasn’t the same player. There were injury rumors, but this year he’s really come alive.”
“It’s an important step for Tottenham to go to the next level,” he said, adding that he’s positive about the changes at Spurs.
Joleon Lescott, a Man City legend, also heaped praise on Son Heung-min, as he named the five best performers of the fourth round of the 2023-2024 English Premier League (EPL) via LiveScore on Friday. In addition to Son, he mentioned Elling Holland (Man City), Evan Ferguson (Brighton), Declan Rice (Arsenal), and Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest). “Son’s hat-trick against Burnley shows that Tottenham have a world-class finisher even without Kane,” said Lescott, a two-time champion with City turned pundit. It’s not that long ago that Son was the EPL’s top scorer. Even in games where he doesn’t score, he rarely misses a chance. When he does, he scores,” he said.
He also praised a transformed Tottenham: “Spurs have been very impressive under Postecoglou. Tottenham’s goals may decrease at some point, but right now they are very threatening. If Tottenham can strengthen their defense, there is no reason why they can’t have a great season.”
We’re at the top of the power rankings. The UK’s Daily Mail published its weekly power rankings for the English Premier League (EPL) with the headline “Three new names have emerged in our weekly power rankings. Who is the new number one?” and revealed the fourth round of the power rankings. At the top of the list is Son Heung-min. Son was not in the top 10 until last week, but his hat trick against Burnley propelled him to the top spot. ‘Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich is frowned upon by Tottenham,’ says the Daily Mail. But Tottenham have the player to offset Kane’s departure’ and ‘Son Heung-min failed to score in his first three games but reminded us of his ability with a hat-trick against Burnley. He helped Tottenham to an early lead.
Evan Ferguson of Brighton was second in the Power Rankings and Elling Holland of Man City was third. Son Heung-min’s new partner James Maddison, who was at the top of the Power Rankings until the last round, dropped to fourth. West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, and Brighton’s Mitoma round out the top five. Mitoma is ranked seventh for the second week in a row.
Son Heung-min’s performances were among the best across Europe’s five major leagues. Soccer stats site Hoopscore.com has ranked the best 11 players from the fourth round of Europe’s five major leagues. The 11 players with the highest ratings made the list. Son Heung-min was among them. For Tottenham, it was Son, Maddison, and Solomon.
Up front, Victor Boniface of Leverkusen was selected alongside Son and Ferguson. Boniface had a multi-goal game against Darmstadt. In the midfield, Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig) and Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich) were selected alongside Madsen and Solomon. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Zouma, and Jules Kunde (Barcelona) were selected in defense, while Alexander Nyobel (Stuttgart) was named goalkeeper. 스포츠토토
Even among the top performers, Son Heung-min was recognized. He received the third highest rating behind Ferguson and Boniface. He received a rating of 9.61, behind Ferguson’s 9.96 and Boniface’s 9.68. Heung-min was followed by Solomon (8.96), Madison (8.89), Kunde (8.82), and Sane (8.77).
Tottenham celebrates Son Heung-min’s hat trick. Tottenham celebrated its 141st anniversary on Friday on the club’s website. ‘September 5, 1882. Legend has it that Tottenham Grammar School and Hotspur Cricket Club met under the gaslights of Tottenham High Road to form a football club called ‘Hotspur’. Today, 141 years later, the founding members look back at the club’s history, including its founding, first game, white heart train, FA Cup win, and top flight title, with the caption, “Who would have thought a world-class stadium would stand in its place?” followed by a graphic celebrating the club’s 141st anniversary, with Son Heung-min at the center of it all. He was featured alongside the likes of Kane, Robbie Keane, Ledley King, Jermain Defoe, and Gareth Bale.
At the same time, the video shows all the hat-tricks Son has completed with the comment “5 hat-tricks in a Tottenham shirt! Enjoy all the hat-tricks Son Heung-min has scored!”. The video went viral as his teammates congratulated him.
Tottenham had a double whammy. Maddison was named Player of the Month and Postecoglou was named Manager of the Month. They went into the game against Sheffield Wednesday in the best possible mood.