Three things we learned from Spurs’ hard-fought 1-0 win over CSKA

Add as preferred source on Google

Son rises on the big occasion once more

After signing from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015 for around £22million, Son Heung-Min had an underwhelming first season in English football having netted only eight times in 41 appearances in all competitions for Spurs.

This campaign however, the South Korean looks a born-again player, and is more than punching his weight having chipped in with vital goals in the league and taken charge in the midst of a barren spell for Harry Kane – who will now face a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury – and in Vincent Janssen’s struggle to contribute goals to the cause.

After having bagged a brace in matches against Stoke City and Middlesbrough, Son came up trumps again in Moscow, with a cool strike which slipped under the flailing right hand of Russia international goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and broke the deadlock with just under 20 minutes remaining.

He almost got a third brace in four games in all competitions just minutes later, but after executing a wonderful turn in the box he saw his shot blocked away. It was nonetheless another big performance for undoubtedly Spurs’ standout player so far this season, and manager Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to keep him fit and in-form.

Son also made a little bit of personal history, becoming only the second Asian player – former Manchester United and PSV midfielder Ji-Sung Park the first – to score for two different clubs in the Champions League.