Steve McManaman lauds Tottenham’s Son Heung-min

Add as preferred source on Google

Steve McManaman lauded Son Heung-min during BT Sport’s coverage of Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup replay win over Southampton (broadcast on 5/2 from 19:15), and suggested that the South Korean carried Spurs at times.

Jose Mourinho’s men set up a fifth round tie with Norwich City after seeing off the Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But they were made to work hard for the victory.

Tottenham were 2-1 down with 12 minutes remaining. But Lucas Moura equalised with a classy finish, before Son won a penalty nine minutes later.

The forward converted the spot-kick for his 14th goal of the season in all competitions. And when McManaman was asked to pick a man of the match during commentary, the pundit suggested that the 27-year-old had been the difference.

“He’s been Tottenham’s most dangerous player, even in the first-half when they were struggling. He was bursting forward, he was running round. He was trying his best and he gets his reward at the end of the game with what probably will be the winner,” he told BT Sport.

“He’s been excellent again today. He’s virtually carried Tottenham at times with his energy.”

Plenty were concerned for Spurs after they lost Harry Kane to injury at the start of the year. But Son has stepped up in recent weeks.

He has now scored four goals in his last four games in all competitions. And what is particularly remarkable is how important those goals have been.

His strike clinched the win against Manchester City at the weekend. And two of those goals were winners, as he also settled the game against Norwich City last month.

Tottenham are too good a side for any one player to carry them. But it is certainly fair to say that few few members of the squad are as important to Mourinho’s side as Son.