Heung-Min Son stepped up in Harry Kane’s absence and produced two fierce strikes to help Tottenham into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win at Championship side Preston.
Match report as Heung-Min Son’s two strikes in the second half put Tottenham on course for FA Cup fourth-round win; Korean has struggled for goals all season but delivered with unwell Harry Kane on the bench; loanee Arnaut Danjuma added third off the bench; fifth-round draw on Monday
The forward had managed just one goal in his previous 17 games for club and country but unleashed a beauty from distance five minutes into the second half and then fired home another (69) from inside the box to maintain Spurs’ hopes of finally ending what is a now a 15-year trophy drought.
The win was capped late on by a goal for debutant Arnaut Danjuma (87), who glanced in a third to make his first appearance after signing on loan from Villarreal a memorable one.
Antonio Conte’s side had been short on quality against their well-organised hosts in the first half, with a Ryan Ledson block denying Dejan Kulusevski and Freddie Woodman saving twice from Son at a rain-soaked, atmospheric Deepdale.
But the Korean’s moment of magic shortly after the break transformed the tie and his second all but ended it.
It also meant Conte could keep unwell Kane wrapped up on the bench and, with their name now in the hat for Monday’s draw, Spurs can turn their attentions to next Sunday’s big Premier League clash with Manchester City, which is live on Sky Sports. The fifth round of the FA Cup will take place in the week commencing February 27.
How Son re-found his magic to sink Preston
Spurs controlled possession in the opening period, with 73 per cent of the ball, but not for the first time this season, it was another frustrating first half for their followers.
