Son shining again for Tottenham after a season in the shadows

Son Heung-min is shining again for Tottenham after a season in the shadows as Ange Postecoglou’s positive mindset brings back the joy

• Tottenham cruised to a 5-2 victory at Burnley to continue their good start
• Son Heung-min was all smiles after scoring a hat-trick in rout at Turf Moor
• Burnley proved their own worst enemy at times but insist they won’t change  

Son Heung-min strolled out of Turf Moor with his vivid yellow and purple boots in one plastic carrier bag and the match ball in another.

His team-mates had passed a Sharpie around the dressing room and autographed it, a collection of happy squiggles.

A smile breaking across his face, Tottenham’s hat-trick hero spoke of how Ange Postecoglou has transformed the mood at the club in a matter of weeks.

‘He wants us to have the ball, to dominate the game and to play as high as possible in their half of the pitch,’ Son said. 

‘You can see on the pitch that everyone is playing with a joy and a happiness.’

Robbie Williams may have fitted clever new lyrics about Postecoglou to his song Angels last week but Let Me Entertain You might be more apt. 

Son Heung-min was all smiles after bagging himself an impressive hat-trick at Burnley

The South Korean scores at the near post to complete his treble and complete Spurs’ victory

Ange Postecoglou’s style of football has brought the best out of Son and his fellow attackers

The Australian is the fifth manager Son has played under at Spurs and it’s quite possible the new approach means his best football is yet to come.

The South Korean struggled to produce his best form under Antonio Conte in a chaotic 2022-23 campaign but is embracing the twin responsibilities of being Spurs captain and replacing the goals lost by Harry Kane’s departure.

‘If you have Harry Kane on your team, you have 20-30 goals in your pockets safely,’ Son said. ‘But this is part of football. 

‘If someone wants to make another step, we have to respect that. Especially given Harry did massive, massive things for Spurs.

‘Everyone has to step up and take responsibility on the pitch.’

The 31-year-old scored his fifth hat-trick for Spurs but every component of their attack sparked as Burnley were overwhelmed. 

Manor Solomon was handed a first league start under Postecoglou and impressed with two assists while James Maddison was once again excellent.

Summer signing James Maddison was on the scoresheet for the second game running 

Cristian Romero put Spurs into the lead in first half injury time in Tottenham’s 5-2 victory 

Spurs new double act of James Maddison and Son Heung-Min enjoyed their day at Burnley 

The £47.5million deadline-day signing Brennan Johnson, who can play across the front three, only adds to Postecoglou’s attacking options. 

‘He is a real threat and different to what we already have,’ Postecoglou said of the Welshman.

After 11 goals in their opening four games, any Spurs fears they would struggle to score post-Kane appear to be unfounded. Burnley, who have conceded 11 in just three games, led early on but didn’t help themselves by giving the ball away in dangerous positions.

The build-from-the-back style favoured by Vincent Kompany may have worked as they stormed the Championship last season but top-flight teams know how to put the pressure on.

Spurs still have their £47.5m deadline day signing Brennan Johnson to add into the mix

Maddison’s stunning curled goal stemmed from a Burnley error after Ameen Al-Dakhil struggled to control a pass out by keeper James Trafford at chest height. But midfielder Josh Cullen insisted they won’t be changing their style. 

‘We just need to get better,’ he said. ‘We’re playing against better opposition, so mistakes get punished more ruthlessly.

‘But we believe it’s the best way to play for this group of players. We’re playing in the best league in the world, against the best players in the world. It’s a massive step up from last season but this is where we want to play our football.’

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