Son Heung-Min Is Spurs Savior in Key Europa Win
It has been an unpleasant season for the Tottenham Spurs in the Premier League to this point. However, the silver lining appeared in the Europa League when South Korean superstar Son Heung-Min scored twice to supplement the earliest goal ever scored by the Spurs in this competition by James Maddison to help defeat Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3-2. This much-needed win brings Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham into a four-way tie for fifth place in the Europa where the top eight qualify for the knockout stage. This competition can be termed the League of Misfit Toys.
The Europa League was created for the clubs that failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. This is not so dissimilar from college basketball when the NCAA Tournament became the premier competition, while the clubs that failed to qualify played in the N.I.T. However, doing well in Europe can serve as more than a consolation prize when a team is struggling domestically. In the middle of a seven-game losing streak in the Premier League, Tottenham needed this change of pace. “Winning away in Europe,” Postecoglou pointed out, “it’s a significant victory for us and gives us a good foothold to get into those top eight spots, which will give us a week off.”
It has certainly been a ray of sunshine for Heung-Min, who has struggled with injury, keeping him away from the South Korean national team during qualifiers. He has been off form in the Premier League, only three years removed from leading the league in goals with only six this season. Heung-Min has taken a step forward in backing his coach's promise of winning a trophy for a club that has had a dusty cupboard since 2008. A Heung-Min revival is a welcome sight to young players like 18-year-old Archie Gray, who have carried the load often as of late. Gray found himself in his own box in this contest, far from his left midfield position, to ward off countless attacks. This is the price the Spurs play to compensate for a defense that has been leaking badly. They have given up the fourth most shots in the Premier, making newcomer Brandon Austin play what can be compared to Dodgeball. It's why Heung-Min’s ability to take over a game is essential for deep pushes in the Europa. He is the one proven world-class player who can take the pressure off and bring balance to this team, which was proven once again.
Tottenham is currently sitting in 15th place in the Premier. However, the Europa experience has the Spurs coming together and ready to kick up its Spurs in pursuit of another trophy. They will be matched against Premier League leader Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Semifinal second leg, where they currently hold a 1-0 aggregate lead. It may be just the right moment for Spurs to make some nice history for a change. In addition, one win against Elfsborg puts them into the Europa Elite Eight, with as good a chance as anyone going forward. If his star is ready to play to his pedigree, Tottenham has a savior and may be ready to experience on the big stage Anges' excellent adventure.
