Following such a tough season with goals incredibly hard to come by, Son Heung-min looked more like his old self in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Only managing to net ten goals in 38 games in all competitions prior to the match against the Seagulls having hit 24 times last term, it only took ten minutes for the South Korean to find the goal as he netted with a trademark finish as he curled the ball into the top corner.
Teeing up Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for a chance in the first half, Son then had a hand in Harry Kane's late winner after sliding in Hojbjerg, who then in turn teed up Tottenham's No.10 on the edge of the area. Reflecting on the important victory over the south coast club, Son has admitted that he benefitted from Roberto De Zerbi's tactic of playing a high line and he reaped the rewards in the process.
"It was more a case of position and being able to make the runs I like – Brighton played quite a high line, which gave me space to run in behind," revealed the 30-year-old. "But I still want to be in a consistent way, a better way, and although scoring is important I want to help the team in as many ways as I can.
READ MORE: Roberto De Zerbi has already given Daniel Levy his answer over Tottenham head coach vacancy
“We've had a tough few weeks, losing leads at Southampton before the international break and at Everton, where we conceded last-minute goals. We don't need to talk too much about learning and improving because we all know where we made mistakes and we should have taken more responsibility to take three points from those games and not just hoping we would get three points for free.
“Although we had to suffer to get the win, we had to fight to the last minute and the last seconds, and this time we did it.”
Much has been made of Son's form this season, especially after putting together an incredible run in front of goal 12 months ago to win the Premier League Golden Boot. Revealing that the accolade had put more pressure on his shoulders coming into this season, Son doesn't want to find excuses for his form and is now looking to have a big impact in the final eight games of the campaign.
“Look, if I want to make excuses for the way I've played, I can find lots of them, but I'm not the type of guy who goes around making excuses and saying, 'That was not the real me'. It happened, you move on, and I accept I was not at the top level," he confessed.
“Last season was fantastic and to win the Golden Boot was a magical moment which gave me amazing confidence. Coming into the new season, everyone was saying, 'Sonny's got the Golden Boot' and expecting me to have another amazing run, but sometimes it's not that simple because you get more attention and more pressure – which I love.
“This is the reason we play, because I love this pressure, and it means I'm not the perfect player. I can still improve at my age, and the last eight games will be very important for me and the team.”
READ NEXT:
Harry Kane gives verdict on Antonio Conte Tottenham exit and Abdoulaye Doucoure Everton red card
The reason Roberto De Zerbi was upset with Cristian Stellini and what Romero did after Son goal
Every word Cristian Stellini said on Roberto De Zerbi, red card, Son, Tottenham and the top four
Tottenham player ratings vs Brighton: Super Son landmark as Kane hits winner after red card mess
What happened between Roberto De Zerbi and Cristian Stellini before Tottenham vs Brighton
