Son Heung-min shines with season's 7th goal and first assist

Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur played a pivotal role in the team's unbeaten streak by contributing with two goal involvements.

Son Heung-min started in the 2023-2024 English Premier League (EPL) home game against Fulham on Tuesday and played a crucial role in the team's 2-0 victory, contributing one goal and one assist. With his 7th league goal this season, Son is now tied for second place in the scoring charts with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool. He currently trails the top scorer, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, by two goals, with Haaland having scored nine goals.

The Korean captain of Tottenham, who played as a forward against Fulham, scored the opening goal in the 36th minute of the first half with a right-footed curling shot right in front of the center of the penalty box. Son assisted James Maddison's second goal in the 9th minute of the second half, extending their lead to 2-0. This marked Son Heung-min's first assist of the season. Maddison, who scored his third goal of the season with an assist from Son Heung-min, praised him, saying, "His pass was truly excellent. Son Heung-min has once again shown that he is in a class of his own." Son and Maddison were substituted in the 37th minute of the second half and took a seat on the bench.

Son was selected as the 'Man of the Match,' equivalent to this game's MVP. This marks his third Man of the Match award of the season, following rounds 4 and 7. SofaScore and WhoScored.com, media outlets specializing in soccer statistics, rated Son Heung-min at 8.9 points, the highest among all players on both teams. "The entire team is moving positively, but it's not perfect. We must not become complacent." Son commented after the game. “There are still many games remaining, so we need to prepare for the next match." The EPL plays 38 games per season.

On a three-game winning streak, Tottenham extended its unbeaten run to nine matches since the beginning of the season. With seven wins and two draws, totaling 23 points, they have claimed the top spot, surpassing the defending champion Manchester City, which has seven wins and two losses, securing 21 points.


Bae-Jung Kim wanted@donga.com