Son hits 10 again but bigger issues trouble Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, front, celebrates scoring the team's second goal with interim manager Ryan Mason, center, during a Premier League match against Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, April 27. / Reuters-Yonhap

By John Duerden

It has been another roller-coaster couple of weeks for Son Heung-min and Tottenham Hotspur. The English Premier League team has not won the title for over 60 years but has become accustomed to finishing in the top four and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

That is not going to happen this season even with titans such as Liverpool and Chelsea struggling. Son's team has recently dropped out of the running

With just six points from the last eight games, form has been poor at this crucial time of the season. In March, coach Antonio Conte launched into a tirade after a 3-3 tie at bottom team Southampton. "Until now I try to hide the situation but not now because, I repeat, I don't want to see what I have seen today because this is unacceptable and also unacceptable for the fans," he said. "And the players? The players? Where are the players? In my experience, I can tell you that if you want to be competitive, if you want to fight, you have to improve this aspect. And this aspect, I can tell you, in this moment is really, really low. And I see only 11 players that play for themselves."

It was a shocking, if not surprising statement, and it was certainly no surprise when the Italian left the club soon after. His assistant Cristian Stellini stayed but results did not improve and after a recent 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle United, a rival for the top four and the Champions League qualification, was the last straw. Spurs refunded the costs of the club's fans who had made the long trip from London to the northeast of England, and Stellini, the replacement, was also fired.

Ryan Mason is now in charge until the end of the season though the top-four hopes have gone. Last Thursday at home to Manchester United started badly with the Reds winning 2-0 at halftime. It ended 2-2 with Son grabbing his ninth English Premier League goal of the season. "I think it was a great second half," Son said. "We didn't deserve to go down 2-0. We played quite well in the second half, but just not happy that we didn't get three points."

He continues to score, however. On Sunday, Spurs found themselves 3-0 down early in the game at Liverpool and another thrashing was on the cards. Yet Son scored in the second half to make it 3-2 and then set up the equalizer three minutes into added time. 3-3 would have been a fine fightback and a sign, perhaps, that the club was turning a corner. Yet Spurs fell asleep and Liverpool scored again to take the win.

At least Son scored his 10th of the season to reach double figures for the seventh successive year. It is a fine achievement but there are bigger things to think about.

Many feel that Son's long-time partner Harry Kane will leave this summer for a club that has a greater chance of winning trophies. There are questions for Son too. After eight years in London, nobody would blame him if he wanted a new challenge.