View: 94% Tottenham star justifies new club record in Southampton mauling
Tottenham Hotspur’s commanding 5-0 victory over Southampton showcased one of the most exceptional first-half performances in Premier League history, led by Son Heung-min.
The South Korean forward delivered a stunning display, contributing a goal and two assists during the opening 45 minutes. His efforts not only propelled Spurs to an unprecedented milestone—scoring five first-half goals in a Premier League match for the first time—but also cemented his place in the club’s history books.
Son’s second assist, setting up James Maddison for a close-range finish just before halftime, brought his career Premier League assists for Tottenham to 68. This feat moved him past Darren Anderton to become the club’s all-time assist leader in the competition.
Adding to his remarkable day, Son reached this milestone while continuing to deliver at a level few players in the league can match. Having already achieved the rare accomplishment of scoring in 100 Premier League games, he was substituted at halftime with the job done and a vital clash against Manchester United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals looming.
The numbers behind Son’s performance against Southampton underline his brilliance. In just 45 minutes, he managed seven shots, with four on target and one blocked. His clinical execution yielded an impressive 67% shot accuracy.
Notably, seven of his 31 touches came inside the Southampton penalty area, highlighting his attacking intent and presence in critical spaces. His precision extended to his passing, where he completed 94% of his attempts, including a perfect record with long balls.
His creative contributions amounted to a combined 0.67 expected goals and assists (xGA), with a further 0.79 expected goals on target (xGOT), emphasizing the tangible threat he posed throughout his time on the pitch.
Son’s assist for Maddison encapsulated his vision and sharp decision-making, while his earlier setup for Pape Sarr demonstrated his versatility as a playmaker. Despite being at his creative peak, there remain areas for improvement.
Son found a teammate with just one of his four crosses and lost possession three times. Additionally, he struggled in physical contests, losing all five of his duels and recording only one ball recovery in the half. However, these minor shortcomings hardly detract from the overall impact of his performance, which left Southampton unable to contain him.
| Stat | Son Heung-min vs. Southampton |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 45 |
| Shots | 7 |
| Shots on Target | 4 |
| Passing Accuracy | 94% |
| Assists | 2 |
| Long-Ball Accuracy | 100% |
| Touches in Opponent Box | 7 |
| xGOT | 0.79 |
The decision to withdraw Son at halftime highlights Ange Postecoglou’s forward planning and the luxury of managing the workload of one of his star players during a busy schedule.
By allowing Son to rest with Spurs already in complete control, Postecoglou demonstrated confidence in his squad’s depth and a keen awareness of the challenges ahead. Son’s ability to dominate games within a limited time frame not only underscores his quality but also provides Tottenham with a critical edge in managing key fixtures across multiple competitions.
While Tottenham fans revel in Son’s record-breaking display, Postecoglou will likely look for continued growth from his captain. Despite his attacking dominance, improving his physical dueling and possession retention could make Son an even more complete player.
For now, however, his performance against Southampton stands as a masterclass in efficiency and impact, a reminder of his enduring value to Tottenham’s ambitions.
As the team turns its attention to the EFL Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester United, Son’s contributions provide Spurs with momentum and confidence.
His combination of leadership, skill, and consistency positions him as a vital figure in Postecoglou’s project, and his rest during the second half ensures he will be ready to deliver on the big stage once again.
Tottenham’s emphatic win, powered by Son’s brilliance, sends a clear message about their intent to compete at the highest level, with their talisman leading the charge.