Son Heung-min brought an emphatic end to his goal drought with a sensational 14-minute hat-trick after coming off the bench against Leicester on Saturday.
Son had failed to score in eight games in all competitions for Spurs so far this season. (Getty Images)
Son was dropped to the bench after failing to score in any of Spurs’ opening eight matches but kick-started his campaign with a magical cameo from the bench following his introduction on the hour, firing in two trademark long-range strikes before slotting his third past the hapless Danny Ward.
While Son’s stunning cameo will hog the headlines, there was plenty more to see from the Conte’s men. Experienced Tottenham number two goalkeeper Fraser Forster was seen running straight over to hug Son after his impeccable hat-trick at the weekend.
Nah this is so cute omg 🥲 pic.twitter.com/cLuZUm8EQt
— Jean 🇩🇰 (@JeanetteeJensen) September 18, 2022
Son Heung-min hat-trick against Leicester.
Hat-trick ✅
Hero ✅ pic.twitter.com/l4EPsgSHW7— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 17, 2022
Speaking after the match, Son revealed: “I’m getting emotional [about the support] to be honest. There has been amazing support and I’ve always felt like I’ve disappointed my team-mates and fans with my performances. They have always been supporting me.”
Yves Bissouma celebrates with Son Heung-min after his hat-trick against Leicester City. (Photo: Getty Images)
Speaking on the game, he said: “It was a top performance and I was really frustrated as well. The way I play I can do much better than I have been. I have been disappointed, the team has been doing really, really good but I was disappointed with my performance.
“It was a tough game at 3-2 and you never know in the Premier League. I wanted to do my best for the team. I will always try to do that when I play. I tried to help the team on the bench. I’m glad we won the game before the international break.
“My finishing has been poor this season. I’ve also been a little bit unlucky with an own goal, two offside goals and hitting the crossbar. I knew goals were coming and I wasn’t worried. I’ve always had great supporters, team-mates and coaches behind me.
“I like to shoot from outside the box – I’ve practiced that since I was a kid. Even now after training, if I have time, I try to practice from that position and hitting the top corner. I’m really glad the ball finally went in!
Son Heung-min is the first Tottenham player to score a Premier League hat-trick as a substitute 👑 pic.twitter.com/0eOBQqVVUI
— GOAL (@goal) September 17, 2022
“I was pretty sure I was onside for the hat-trick! I’m glad I’ve been able to help the team, that is really important and I can go to national duty with renewed energy.”
The game against Leicester was Tottenham’s last until October due to the international break. Spurs will return to Premier League action in a crucial north-London derby.