Despite playing in 450 matches, the assessment was not favorable. Despite the team's victory, Son Heung-min did not receive a positive evaluation.

Tottenham won 3-1 against Southampton in the 31st round of the 2024-2025 season Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on the 6th (Korea time).

With this victory, Tottenham broke their losing streak and recorded 37 points.

They secured the win with multiple goals from Brennan Johnson, marking 37 points and ending their losing streak.

Tottenham fielded Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson in attack. James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Lucas Vervier were deployed in midfield. Defensively, Jed Spence, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro were in charge, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Tottenham struggled recently, with 1 draw and 3 losses in the last 4 league matches before facing Southampton. They lost 0-1 to Manchester City, where Son Heung-min was left out of the starting lineup. They drew 2-2 with Bournemouth, where Son Heung-min scored the equalizer, and then lost consecutively to Fulham (0-2) and Chelsea (0-1).

However, against the league's bottom team, Southampton, they launched a relentless attack, creating an opportunity for a turnaround. In particular, the strong performances from multiple players, including Son Heung-min, were impressive. Johnson also benefited from Son Heung-min's assist and garnered applause for his excellent performance.

This season, Son Heung-min has scored 7 goals and provided 9 assists. While still performing admirably, it is true that he is slightly below his usual standards. Son Heung-min is in a situation where he has the fewest goals since recording 4 in his debut season with Tottenham in 2015-2016. Although Son Heung-min, who started the match, did not record any attacking points, he played a key role in the first goal.

From the start of the match, Tottenham launched a barrage of attacks. In the 9th minute, during a corner kick situation for Tottenham, Romero attempted a powerful header, which was blocked by Ramsdale. In the 11th minute, Vervier stirred up the opposing defense and took a shot, but it did not connect properly.

After persistently pressing, Tottenham scored the opening goal in the 13th minute. Specifically, the key attacking pattern of Tottenham involving Spence and Son Heung-min's left side paid off. Son Heung-min passed to Spence, who was overlapping on the left side. Johnson finished with a direct cross.

In addition, in the 26th minute of the first half, Tottenham took a shot at a free kick, with Romero executing a sharp diving header. However, this shot was unfortunately blocked by the face of the opposing goalkeeper, Ramsdale. Although it was disappointing, in the 35th minute, Porro attempted a free kick, touched the ball, and Vervier scored another goal right in front of the goal.

However, after more than 5 minutes of video assistant referee (VAR) checking, Romero's offside was declared, canceling the goal. Still, in the 41st minute of the first half, a scramble occurred in the Southampton box. During this process, Maddison lifted the ball with a header, and Johnson finished it off, marking his multiple goals.

The first half concluded with a 2-0 lead. Having easily taken a 2-goal advantage, Tottenham managed the pace in the second half to prepare for the next match. They are set to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarterfinal first leg of the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Europa League at the same venue on the 11th.

In the 13th minute of the second half, they substituted Pape Sarr and Odegaard for Son Heung-min and Bentancur to manage their fitness. Maintaining their concentration, Tottenham held steady. However, in the 44th minute of the second half, they allowed a consolation goal to Southampton's Mateus Fernandes.

Still, in stoppage time of the second half, Tottenham earned a penalty kick (PK) when Johnson broke through. Although Johnson was on the brink of a hat trick, he conceded the PK to newcomer Mathys Tel. Calmly, Tel finished it off, sealing the game at 3-1 in favor of Tottenham.

Son Heung-min played a key role in the opening goal. However, afterward, he was quiet. He recorded a passing accuracy of 82% (18/22), created 1 chance, had 1 shot, delivered 4 final third passes, succeeded in 25% of his dribbles (1/4), and had a ground duel win rate of 44% (4/9).

On this day, Son Heung-min achieved his 450th match with Tottenham. Since joining Tottenham in the 2015-2016 season, Son Heung-min has regularly played every season and ranked 7th in the club's history for most appearances after his 450th match. He is the first among active players. Since Ted Ditchburn, who has 452 appearances, is in 6th place, it is certain that he will move up to 6th before the end of this season.

However, the evaluation was not favorable. London World assigned Son Heung-min the lowest rating on the team at 5 points, noting, "He played a pivotal role. Afterward, Son was somewhat indecisive and did not show his best form."

Football London assigned Son Heung-min the lowest rating among the starting 11 at 6 points.

Football London evaluated, "He contributed somewhat to the first goal, and Son Heung-min's efforts were thwarted early in the second half."

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