The absent players
Antonio Conte was always going to make a handful of changes for Tottenham's FA Cup fourth-round clash away at Preston North End. In the end, he opted for seven, with players such as Eric Dier, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Kane dropping out of the team that won at Fulham on Monday evening.
While the aforementioned trio took their place on the substitutes' bench, a number of first-team regulars, including Hugo Lloris, were left out completely. Given the Frenchman has made a couple of errors between the sticks since returning from the World Cup, a break from action may do him the world of good.
Richarlison was also another to miss out in Lancashire. Many Tottenham fans had pointed to the possible absence of the Brazilian for the cup tie as the attacker was watching Lucas Moura in action for the Under-21s on Friday evening when the rest of the squad had already made the trip up north.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Preston: Son Heung-min a class above with dream Arnaut Danjuma debut
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, assistant head coach Cristian Stellini opened up on the ex-Everton man missing out. "Richarlison is not available today, it’s not a big problem, so we have only to wait some days," explained the Italian.
Cristian Romero, Djed Spence and Pape Matar Sarr were also some of the others to be absent from the matchday squad. Maybe not a surprise to see Romero not included after his World Cup heroics and Spence down to his recent absence from the squad, it did seem the perfect game for Sarr to get more minutes in the tank after really catching the eye at the start of the month.
Bentancur brilliance ruined
Saturday evening saw Rodrigo Bentancur handed another start after his recent return from the injury he sustained on Uruguay duty at the World Cup. Partnering Yves Bissouma in midfield, the ex-Juventus man was always going to have a big role to play for the team at Deepdale as they looked to avoid an FA Cup banana skin.
A classy operator in the middle of the pitch and someone capable of gliding his way through midfield at ease, Bentancur turned it on midway through the first half with a brilliant pirouette on the halfway line to advance beyond Preston's Ben Whiteman. His exquisite turn went down incredibly well with the travelling Tottenham faithful behind the goal, but the cheers soon turned into groans moments later after he sloppily lost the ball when looking to make a simple pass to his teammate.
It was a moment that rather summed up his performance as he was far from his best in the cup win.
Super Son
Son Heung-min's struggles on the pitch have been well documented this season. Finishing Premier League top goalscorer in 2021/22, the South Korean went into the FA Cup clash at Deepdale with only six goals to his name from 26 appearances this season.
Perhaps a game that Conte could have dropped him to the bench for a break in his quest to transform his fortunes, the 30-year-old was given the nod in Lancashire and looked a lot sharper after some disappointing showings of late. Much better on the ball and running at his opponents, Son saw a curling effort saved by Freddie Woodman after the goalkeeper adjusted well to stop his shot finding the net.
Not long after, the shot-stopper made a fine save with Son's attempt from outside the area looking destined for the net. However, there was nothing he could do five minutes after the break as Tottenham's No.7 scored with an incredible finish as he curled the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Son was rather reserved with his celebration as he just stood there instead of running off towards the travelling army. Mobbed by his teammates after his moment of brilliance, it was then when the attacker pumped his fists towards the away fans and did his trademark celebration.
Nineteen minutes later and his second of the game arrived after he controlled Ivan Perisic's neat flick before firing emphatically into the net after a sharp turn to lose his marker. In a week where Spurs added to their options on the left flank following the arrival of Danjuma from Villarreal, Son delivered the perfect response as he bids to get his season up and running.
Sessegnon struggles
Ryan Sessegnon was handed a big opportunity to make his case to Conte after seeing Perisic start the past couple of league games. In and out the team this campaign and with Destiny Udogie joining in the summer, the ex-Fulham man needs to have a big finish to the season to remain in the head coach's plans going forward.
Unfortunately the England Under-21 international struggled in his 71 minutes on the pitch and just couldn't have a telling impact in the final third. Sessegnon did find himself in a number of excellent crossing positions throughout the game but he just couldn't put in the killer ball for his teammates looking to attack the ball.
As per FotMob, he failed to register an accurate cross with the six he put in. Add to that one accurate long ball from a possible nine, it was really was a game to forget for the player.
Amid his crossing struggles in his pitch time, Clement Lenglet demonstrated how to do it as he put in a pinpoint cross that Perisic headed towards goal only for Woodman to tip the ball over. Making such an impact in the final third in his first couple of years at Fulham, Sessegnon needs to try and rediscover the form he displayed at Craven Cottage before it's too late.
The perfect debut
Tottenham fans had to wait until the 71st minute to see Danjuma come on for his Tottenham debut after his loan move from Villarreal. Taking Perisic's place in the central role in the front three as the Croat switched across to left wing-back following Sessegnon's exit, Danjuma marked his bow with a goal as he found the net 16 minutes after his introduction.
Scoring on his last visit to Deepdale with Bournemouth, the Netherlands international was in the right place at the right time to find the bottom corner after some good play in the box from Kulusevski. Always wanting an immediate impact from the new signings, Conte got exactly that from his new man.
Facing some huge games in what remains of the season as they look to finish in the top four and go far in the Champions League and FA Cup, Danjuma's signing could prove key if he continues to have an impact in the box. There's certainly a lot more to come from the club's new No.16.
READ NEXT:
Tottenham recruitment chief leaves north London club ahead of potential restructuring
Cristian Stellini pinpoints what Djed Spence must improve on to impress Antonio Conte
Scarlett concern, Rodon confession, Ndombele set for Mourinho reunion - Tottenham loan latest
Arnaut Danjuma Everton transfer hijack hands Antonio Conte big Tottenham Champions League boost
Find the footballs on the football.london website to win cash prize, vouchers and TV worth £3,000
