Pat Nevin suggested that Son Heung-min was the best player on the pitch as Tottenham Hotspur blew Newcastle United away with a 4-1 win on Sunday.
Nevin was speaking on BBC Radio Five Live after the Tottenham captain put his side 4-0 ahead during the second-half, putting away a penalty after being brought down by Martin Dubravka.
Son Heung-min looked to be back to his very best against Newcastle. Tottenham were absolutely sensational as Ange Postecoglou’s side got back to winning ways.
Son Heung-min the best player on the pitch in Tottenham win
Son set up both of Spurs’ goals in the first-half, doing brilliantly to find Destiny Udogie and Richarlison. And he rounded off the scoring from the home side after being fouled by the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Son found the bottom corner to move into double figures for league goals this season. And that prompted Pat Nevin to suggest that he was the standout in what was an outstanding performance from Tottenham.
“We were talking before the start of the game about the system that would be played, who would it be, and I really thought it’s exactly what would happen. Son would go left, Richarlison would go central. It just seems the right fit. But what you need is someone like Son who’s selfless,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.
“He’s willing to give up that centre forward’s position, he’s got the ability to play as a wide player, as a 10, or a nine. He’s got all of that, but he’s also got the right team spirit as well. And that’s why if you’re going to look for a best player on the pitch today, most people are going to give it to Son.”
Spurs captain a completely changed player this season
What is remarkable is that Son has already now matched his goals tally from the whole of the previous Premier League campaign.
In truth, that return of 10 goals probably flattered Son because he was really poor for the majority of the season.
But he looks like a completely different player this season. He has certainly thrived since taking on the captaincy. And that was a captain’s performance from the South Korean on Sunday.
Tottenham will hope that the win against Newcastle proves to be a turning point in their season. But while they have Son fit and available, they are always in with a chance – particularly when you consider how Spurs now play under Postecoglou.
