Tottenham secured another three points in their ongoing race for a spot in the top four when West Ham travelled to N17. Antonio Conte's side claimed a 3-1 victory against David Moyes' side, who had qualified for the Europa League quarter-final just a few days before.
Spurs now sit fifth in the Premier League, just three points behind fourth placed Arsenal as they go into the final international break of the season, although their north London rivals do have a game in hand. The victory on Sunday came from a solid overall performance, with a number of improved individual displays too.
Son Heung-min is one player who hasn't been at his best in recent weeks. The fan favourite seemed to have a dip in form in recent games, failing to produce the solid displays he was consistently displaying previously.
READ MORE: Antonio Conte says he would have to be crazy to drop Son Heung-min from his Spurs team
Despite this dip, the South Korean has still managed to make some impact in front of goal, producing two goals in his last four Premier League games before West Ham. However, since his return from injury he has looked tired in games and after the Brighton match, there were a few questions raised over whether he could even be given a rest for a couple of matches.
This was quickly shut down by Conte, ahead of the fixture against The Irons. "For me, Sonny is an important player. A player who can move a result in the end. It can happen that a player can be in not the best form or a period that he's not playing so well, because we're talking a player who plays every game, but for me, he is playing well and that doesn't depend if a player scores a goal or not," the Italian admitted.
"For me, it's about their performance totally. Sonny is a player in my thoughts and in my plan and that's also for his commitment. So he has to start. I don't have an idea to drop him. Honestly, no. It doesn't happen. I'm not crazy to do something like this."
Son has been a fan favourite for a number of years and has also been praised by a number of Spurs managers. "I have to admit that Harry and Sonny are world class players and on the top of what they do they have a very good sense of the team," Jose Mourinho explained at the end of 2020.
"They have a very good sense of the balance that they need and they also do incredible tactical work for the team when the team doesn't have the ball. So top players, amazing." For Son to then not only score two goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a London derby, but also produce a solid display, was crucial for him ahead of the international break.
Much like a number of the Tottenham team, it was the consistency in his recent performances that had become a struggle for the 29-year-old. Sunday's game ended any negative talk with his three shots, 91.9 per cent passing accuracy and six crosses.
Son's goal celebrations suggested a sense of relief and excitement with his own performance and Conte was then asked about it in his post match press conference.
"It is always very difficult when you have an important player and you know very well that during a season there are different periods and sometimes you have a lot of confidence and everything you try to do on the pitch you are able to do and sometimes the confidence can go down but the important player, the top player is good to manage this moment and Sonny you’re talking about a player who is really, really good, an important player but at the same time a good person," said Conte.
"He suffers if the performance is not good but especially if we don’t get three points," Conte explained when asked if his display against West Ham highlighted why he would be 'crazy' to drop him. "I think this must be our first thing, not to think to yourself but to think for the team. I’m playing not so good and it’s a pity for the team not only for yourself, but I repeat about him he is an important player for us and he showed today that he is an important player."
Throughout Sunday's match, Son was making runs whenever he could to help his side in attack and tracking back when his side needed defensive help. He failed to stick with Said Benrahma for West Ham's goal but that didn't dampen the impact he had in the rest of the game.
His goals will have done wonders for his confidence and showed the ability both Tottenham fans and Conte knows he has. Son is now joint-second with Diogo Jota for Premier League goals scored this season (13), having recently broken the combination goal record with Kane and is now seemingly back to his best, as evidenced by his display against West Ham.
The England captain's creative flair coming out even more so this season has allowed the South Korean to slot the ball in the back of the net, with Kane providing the assists.
Conte will hope that after the international break, Son can again be consistent with his performances and help make the required impact in the final third in the remaining nine league games of the season.
