Injury-returner Son Heung-min says boss Ange Postecoglou was upset that Tottenham conceded first in the club’s 4-1 win over West Ham, having spoken at length about the importance of defending well.
The hosts fell behind after 18 minutes thanks to the boot of Mohammed Kudus, who was ultimately sent off four minutes from the end for lashing out at Micky van de Ven. VAR recommended that the initial yellow card he received was upgraded to red.
Tottenham were three goals up by that stage, with Son firing home Tottenham’s final goal of the game on the hour to record his third goal this season. The attacker had missed Tottenham’s three matches prior to the international break due to a hamstring issue
The 32-year-old says he benefited from two weeks off, having completed 70 minutes against West Ham after missing South Korea’s World Cup qualifiers over the last fortnight.
Speaking to TNT Sports after full-time, Son said: “Sometimes injury time [out] can be good, we have such a busy time, that two or three weeks was perfect to recharge myself and today I was feeling really, really good.”
The forward revealed that prior to the fightback against West Ham, manager Postecoglou was dismayed at Tottenham failing to keep a clean sheet for a third straight game. “When we conceded the first goal he [manager Ange Postecoglou] wasn’t very happy,” he added.
He talked about protecting our goal like a home. But generally, the performance, I am very happy.”
Son admitted to feeling pressure to perform under Postecoglou’s system but doesn’t mind the fact. He said: “It’s entertaining [football under Postecoglou] but also a lot of pressure.
“The winger is expected to create chances and get goals. I think it is a lot of joy and pressure which is where we should be.”
Ange Postecoglou had made two changes to his Tottenham team for Saturday afternoon’s Premier League game against West Ham. Spurs were on the losing side last time out after falling to a 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion despite taking a two-goal lead into the break.
Following a two-week break from domestic football with the second international break of the campaign taking place, Postecoglou has received some good news on the injury front ahead of the London derby. Son Heung-min and Richarlison have returned to fitness following their respective injuries, with Wilson Odobert expected to make his comeback in training next week
Son, as expected, goes straight back into the Tottenham team to face West Ham. Timo Werner is the unlucky player to miss out despite registering an assist for James Maddison’s goal at Brighton.
Postecoglou has made one alteration in midfield as Yves Bissouma replaces Rodrigo Bentancur. Tottenham’s backline remains the same but there is no place for Djed Spence in the matchday squad.
Speaking ahead of the West Ham encounter, Postecoglou was asked about the London derby and what his team can expect from their opponents.
“I was made very aware of it last year. I know what it means. An important game,” he said on the derby. “Last year we played really well but didn’t win at home. Tale of that part of our season a little bit. Challenging game. They have some fantastic players in the team and a new manager. They are doing things a little bit differently.
“We saw last game what a threat they can be going forward. A good challenge for us. But the emphasis has to be on us reproducing the form we’ve shown in recent times and more importantly sticking to principles of our game.”
Here is the Tottenham team Postecoglou has named to face West Ham:
Confirmed Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Kulusevski, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.
Substitutes: Forster, Gray, Dragusin, Bentancur, Sarr, Moore, Bergvall, Werner, Richarlison.
