Son Heung-min ended his Premier League goal drought with a hat-trick in the second half as Tottenham thrashed Leicester City 6-2.
The South Korean forward was benched by Antonio Conte for his side’s final game before the international break as a result of his poor form this season.
But, after the break, last season’s Golden Boot winner came off the bench to steal the show with a remarkable performance that saw him net three goals in a quarter-hour of play.
All three goals were accomplished with style, ensuring Spurs begin the international break on a high note and putting Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers under increasing pressure.
Son’s late heroics overshadowed an already exciting game that featured eight goals in total, with Youri Tielemans scoring from the penalty spot just six minutes in.
The Belgian retook his penalty after Hugo Lloris encroached on an initial save, but Harry Kane’s close-range header quickly cancelled out the visitors’ lead.
Less than a quarter-hour later, Eric Dier put the hosts ahead for the first time with another header, before James Maddison equalized with a fine volley before the break.
After the break, Rodrigo Bentancur quickly restored Spurs’ lead before Son replaced Richarlison.
The forward ended his drought with two spectacular long-range strikes and then completed a quick break to put a difficult few weeks behind him.
What does it imply? Son silences detractors
With no goals this season and only one assist before Saturday, there is little doubt that the Golden Boot winner has been stuck in a rut.
But Conte’s decision to bench him clearly had the desired effect, as Son now trails only Kane in Spurs goals this season in the Premier League.
Kane keeps the Foxes happy.
The England captain has scored 20 goals against Leicester in his career, with 18 of those coming for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Only Alan Shearer has scored more goals in the competition against a specific opponent, with 20 against Leeds.
Maddison is pushing for an England recall.
The Leicester man hasn’t played for the Three Lions in nearly three years, but his continued form – even as the Foxes struggle – could make a case for a surprise return for Qatar. Only Kane (32) has had more goal involvements in the Premier League than Maddison (24) since the start of last season.
Facts about Opta
- Tottenham’s 17 points from seven Premier League games this season are their joint-best at this stage of a season, matching their finish as runners-up to Conte’s Chelsea in 2016-17.
- For the first time since 1983-84, Leicester have gone winless in their first seven league games of a season, while their 22 goals conceded are the most in their history after seven league games.
- Tottenham scored six goals at home for the first time since a 9-1 victory over Wigan Athletic in November 2009.
- After failing to score on any of his first 17 Premier League shots this season, Son scored on three of his four attempts against Leicester tonight.
- Leicester have dropped more points from winning positions this season than any other Premier League team (11), while Spurs have gained the most points from behind this season (7).
What comes next?
Both teams will take a break for the international break before returning at the beginning of next month. Tottenham will face Arsenal in the north London derby on October 1, while Leicester will face Nottingham Forest two days later.