‘3 shots, 3 goals’ Son Heung-min, EPL’s second hat-trick… ’10 points’ praise

Son Heung-min showed off his ‘world class’ skills and achieved his second personal hat-trick in the English Premier League. British local media praised Son Heung-min as “the most dangerous finisher in the EPL” and gave him the highest score of 10. With 7 games remaining in the season Son Heung-min, who succeeded in scoring his 17th goal, entered the countdown to breaking the record for most goals in a single season in a single season.

Son Heung-min took the lead in a 4-0 victory by scoring three goals alone in the away game against Aston Villa in the 32nd round of the EPL season of 2021-22 held at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on the 10th (Korean time).

Son Heung-min, who started as a flank striker, shook the net by attempting a non-stop shot with his left foot as Harry Kane’s shot hit the opponent’s defense in the 3rd minute of the first half. It was three goals in a row.

Even with Son Heung-min’s opening goal, the match was not easily resolved. Villa gained possession and pushed Tottenham hard, putting the defender on the defensive when Matt Doherty was out with an injury. However, in the fifth minute of the second half, Tottenham changed the mood with a goal from Dejan Kulusevsky.

After that, Son Heung-min broke Villa’s will to pursue. Son Heung-min scored his 40th career goal with Harry Kane in the 21st minute of the second half. Kane made a one-touch header with a long pass from Christian Romero’s defense area, and Son Heung-min, who was infiltrating, aimed his left foot at the left side of the goal and shook the net.

Son Heung-min, who had a strong momentum, opened the goal again in the 26th minute of the second half, five minutes later. He drove the ball from the opponent’s right area, guiding the defense, connecting it to Kulusevsky, and finishing with his right foot after receiving the ball from Kulusevsky in front of goal.

Local media such as Sky Sports and Football London gave Son Heung-min a rating of 10. The Evening Standard, who poured out the most critical comments about Son’s silence last month, also praised, “He completed a neat hat-trick with an exquisite finish. Heung-min Son is the most dangerous and instinctive finisher in the Premier League.” Aston Villa’s head coach Steven Gerrard also said, “The first half wasn’t bad. However, Tottenham had two world-class players (Heung-Min Son and Kane).

Son Heung-min, who scored the 15th and 17th goals in the league, is the first in a year and 6 months since the match against Southampton (4 goals) on September 20, 2020. made a hat-trick. He also set the record for most goals tied in a single season. Previously, Son Heung-min scored a ‘career high’ with 17 league goals last season. It was on par with former national team coach Cha Beom-geun’s record for most goals in a single season in Europe’s big leagues (17 goals, Leverkusen in 1985-86).

It is not impossible to become the first in Asia to become the top scorer in Europe’s big leagues. Heung-Min Son took the top scorer in the EPL by just three goals behind Mohamed Salah (20 goals, Liverpool), and ranked second in scoring alone. In terms of field goals excluding penalty kicks, Son Heung-min (17 goals) surpassed Salah (15 goals) to lead the EPL overall.

With Heung-Min Son’s performance, Tottenham Hotspur are one step closer to advancing to the Champions League (UCL) next season. UCL tickets are awarded up to 4th place in the league. Tottenham Hotspur (57 points) are currently 4th in the league with 5th-placed Arsenal by 3 points and goal difference +10.

Dongsoon Choi reporter dosool@hankookilbo.com