Tottenham analysis: Heung-min Son to the rescue again as Spurs set new Premier League record

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Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP2 February 2019

Heung-min Son again came to Tottenham's rescue as he struck a late winner to send his side second in the Premier League after a 1-0 success over Newcastle.

The South Korean marked his first game back from international duty with the equalising goal in the midweek win over Watford and came up with the goods again as he scored in the 83rd minute to break the Magpies' resistance at Wembley.

He had goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to thank, though, as the Slovakian allowed Son's shot under his body when it should have been a routine save.

Spurs were not complaining as it brought reward for their endeavour when it looked like they were going to be frustrated and maintained their strong position in the title race.

They are now above Manchester City in second, four points behind leaders Liverpool, with both teams not in action until Sunday and Monday respectively.

Dan Kilpatrick analyses the key talking points for Spurs...

Sonny to the rescue again

REUTERS

For the second time in three days, Son was the difference for Tottenham as the South Korean's late winner moved them above Man City.

Since returning exhausted from the Asian Cup a week ago, Son has scored twice and twice run himself into the ground for Spurs. His 82nd-minute strike was a little lucky, as it went through Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka, but it was no less than Spurs – and Son – deserved after dominating against a defensive Magpies side.

With Harry Kane and Dele Alli sidelined for a month, Son has embraced the responsibility of being Spurs' main man and biggest goal-threat in the past week.

The absence of the England duo is clearly a bad thing for Tottenham but it could, inadvertently, be the making of Son as a dressing room leader and one of the Premier League's true clutch players.

Undrawables set new Premier League record

AFP/Getty Images

Just as they did against Fulham and Watford in the last two league games, Spurs left it late to earn a victory, demonstrating the remarkable character in their squad and setting a new record for Premier League games without a draw.

Spurs had already set the record for the longest run of games without drawing in a single season and they have now gone 29 games without a draw over the course of two campaigns. That run – which has left Spurs just four points from the summit, albeit before Liverpool play West Ham – has clearly demonstrated the value winning games, rather than trying to remain unbeaten.

Spurs have lost nearly a quarter of their League games this season, but that doesn't matter because they've won the other three-quarters. Put simply, it is better to try to win games and lose a few than to try to avoid defeat.

Vertonghen loving left-back

AFP/Getty Images

For a player who reportedly dislikes playing left-back, Jan Vertonghen seemed to relish the opportunity. With Ben Davies injured and Danny Rose rested following 90 minutes on Wednesday, Vertonghen switched to full-back – and he was Spurs' biggest creative threat.

The Belgian whipped in cross after dangerous cross, nearly earning an assist when Erik Lamela headed against the bar and setting up substitute Fernando Llorente late on.

Vertonghen clearly enjoyed the freedom of Wembley's wide pitch and, on this evidence, he is a more progressive option than Davies.

While the wisdom of chucking so many crosses at Newcastle's three centre-backs was unclear, Vertonghen showed he is more than capable of deputising at left-back when needed.

Spurs need more from Eriksen

(Credit too long, see caption)

In games like this, when one team is content to put ten men behind the ball and play for 0-0, you often need a bit of magic to make a breakthrough. In the absence of Alli and Kane, Christian Eriksen is most likely to provide a winning spark for Spurs but, for the second game running, the Dane didn't do nearly enough.

Perhaps Eriksen was playing too far from goal but he barely created a chance of note, and it was hard to avoid the feeling that he is not operating at 100 percent currently.

Eriksen is stalling on signing a new contract at Spurs and the uncertainly does not appear to be helping his form.

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