Captain Son Heung-min Set Another Record
“Captain” Son Heung-min 30, Tottenham Hotspur has made another milestone. However, he couldn’t help but laugh at his team’s loss.
Son started the 36th round of the English Premier League EPL against Liverpool in the 2023-2024 season held at Anfield in Liverpool, England on the 6th, and played full time. The match was Son’s 300th EPL match. Son, who has established himself as a key player in his team since joining the Tottenham Hotspur from Leverkusen in the summer of 2015, achieved the feat of playing 300 matches in nine seasons. This is the first time for an Asian player to record.
Son scored a comeback goal in the 32nd minute of the second half, marking another milestone. It was his 120th career goal in the EPL. He matched with EPL legend Steven Gerrard Al-Itipark. Gerrard was a legend who was called the best midfielder in EPL history, playing only for Liverpool from 1998 to 2015. Son has risen to 22nd in EPL history in terms of goals scored. Now Son will challenge Romelu Lukaku AS Roma, who played for Chelsea, Manchester United, and Everton, to score 121 goals.
Son has proved himself as a “Liverpool killer” by scoring goals in five consecutive matches against Liverpool. Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy was the only player to have scored in five consecutive matches against Liverpool. With his 17th goal this season, Son has risen to seventh in scoring. Erling Holan scored a port trick in this round, scoring 25 goals, making it difficult for him to become the second top scorer in his career. Joining the “10-10 Club” was pushed back to the next stage by only nine assists. Son, who was listed as the “10-10 Club” for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons, is aiming to join the “10-10 Club” three times in his career. Only five players have joined the “10-10 Club” three times or more in the EPL. Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney, and Mohamed Salah are the only ones.
Despite the record, Son bowed his head. Tottenham was completely defeated by 2-4. They gave back-to-back goals to Mohamed Salah in the 16th minute, Andrew Robertson in the 45th minute, Cody Hacko in the 5th minute, and Harvey Elliott in the 14th minute. As a forward striker, Son was isolated as Tottenham’s midfielders failed to show any strength. Manager Enze Postecoglou made the decision after allowing as many as four goals. Hishalisson and James Medicine were added, and Son shifted to the side. Son made an explosive dribble to clear the path for his attack.
Hishalisson scored consecutive goals in the 27th minute and Son Heung-min in the 32nd minute, but there was not enough time to turn the game around. Ultimately, Tottenham suffered a crushing defeat. With this defeat, Tottenham lost for the fourth time in a row. It completely collapsed in the face of death row that leads to Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. Tottenham’s fourth consecutive defeat is the first in 20 years since 2004. Tottenham stayed for the fourth time in 60 games, effectively making it difficult to advance to the European Champions League. If Aston Villa 67 points, who played one more game than Tottenham, win at least one match in the remaining two matches, the battle for fourth place will be over.
Son literally struggled. He scored his second goal, had two shots, two key passes, and an 87 percent success rate. He also dribbled through the ball five times. He also successfully competed on the ground seven times. Fuscoord, a European statistics website, gave Son 7.87 points, the highest among Tottenham players. 토토 Another statistical magazine, SofaScore, also gave Son 7.3 points, the second highest rating after Guglielmo Vicario 7.5 points.
Other media gave similar assessments. 90 min gave seven points, the highest among Tottenham players, and he was the busiest among Tottenham’s starting strikers by far. It was the second half that deserved hard work.” Football London gave six points and said, “At first, he failed to tease Van Dijk and Kwanza. After moving to the left, he improved a lot, and several good breakthroughs caused problems for Liverpool’s defense line. Hishalisson’s pass also scored a goal.”
Son said after the match, “Actually, I don’t think the record is important in the current situation. I think a lot about how I can lead the team better in such a difficult situation. I want to take the lead and show exemplary performances. I will work harder and win the game well.”