I overcame the burden and pressure and succeeded in scoring a PK… SON couldn’t smile at ‘North London Derby’ defeat – Goal.com VRESP

(Goal.com) Reporter Kang Dong-hoon = ‘Captain Sonny’ Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) calmly scored a penalty kick (PK) in the ‘North London Derby’ against Arsenal, scoring his 16th goal in the English Premier League (EPL). However, Son Heung-min could not smile brightly as Tottenham unfortunately lost 2-3 that day. Son Heung-min’s membership in the ’10 (goals)-10 (assists)’ club was also postponed until later.

Son Heung-min started in the 2023-2024 EPL round 35 home game against Arsenal held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on the 28th (Korean time). Son Heung-min, who continued to be the front-line striker on this day, led the attack along with the second line consisting of Dejan Kulusevski (Sweden), James Maddison (England), and Timo Werner (Germany).

Expectations were high on Son Heung-min, as he had shown a strong performance by scoring 7 goals and 2 assists in 19 games against Arsenal. However, on this day, he did not show his presence at all throughout the first half. Tottenham collapsed, conceding three goals in the first half alone, and this was partly due to poor ball distribution to the forwards, but Son Heung-min was unable to create a threatening scene even when he caught the ball.

Son Heung-min especially frustrated Tottenham fans by showing a shooting that was not like him at all. In the 45th minute of the first half, Pedro Foro (Portugal) stabbed a long pass from below the halfway line, and Son Heung-min, who penetrated the back space, penetrated into the penalty box and hit a right-footed shot, which went up high into the air. Although the defenders stuck together, it was a deeply disappointing scene considering that there was no major check.

Tottenham ended the first half trailing 0-3, so Son Heung-min had to show a different side in the second half, but it was not much different from the first half. Although Son Heung-min struggled by pressing forward strongly and making sincere movements, he did not appear to hit shots or attempt an aggressive breakthrough as a front-line striker.

Then, in the 42nd minute of the second half, when Christian Romero (Argentina)’s consolation goal brought the score to 1-3, and the chase was in full swing, Son Heung-min cut into Arsenal’s goal net. Son Heung-min, who acted as a kicker in a PK chance, succeeded by accurately hitting the ball into the left corner of the goal under a lot of pressure and pressure. It was the moment when he scored his first goal in four games and at the same time reported his 16th goal in the EPL.

However, Son Heung-min could not smile brightly even after scoring. Tottenham chased down by one goal, but unfortunately lost as they were unable to bring the game back to square one in the remaining time. In particular, Son Heung-min eventually lowered his head as he was even more bitter because he lost the ‘North London Derby’, a rivalry match representing the EPL on this day, even with the enthusiastic support of home fans at home.

According to Footmob, a media outlet specializing in soccer statistics, on this day, Son Heung-min hit two shots and made one effective shot. He recorded a key pass, won a ground ball duel, and induced one foul. The rating was 7.5 points. It was Tottenham’s highest rating after Romero. The British media Evening Standard said, “He calmly succeeded in a PK that gave Tottenham hope. However, he gave Son Heung-min a rating of 7, saying, “I experienced difficulties overall.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham, who failed to gain points on this day, remained at 60 points (18 wins, 6 draws, 8 losses), and was ranked 4th as Aston Villa (20 wins, 7 draws, 8 losses, 67 points), which is the Maginot Line for advancing to the UEFA Champions League (UCL). failed to close the gap. Of course, Tottenham has played two fewer games than Villa, but it must be taken into account that the remaining opponents, such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City, are not easy.