Manager Ange Postecoglou has said he “didn’t see any difference” in Son Heung-min after the captain appeared to react angrily to being substituted 56 minutes into his first appearance in four Tottenham matches.
Son started as captain against Aston Villa and set up Brennan Johnson’s 49th-minute equaliser in the 4-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, only to be replaced by Richarlison shortly afterwards in a move that seemed to annoy the former Golden Boot winner.
“He was never going to play more than that,” Postecoglou said. “I didn’t see any difference in Sonny. I’d be surprised if any player likes coming off when they’re feeling all right.
“I didn’t need to discuss it with him. We’ve got more battles ahead and we’re going to need him. What’s more important is the overall picture.”
“I couldn’t speak highly enough of him, he’s outstanding” 👏
Ange Postecoglou is full of praise for Dominic Solanke 🌟 pic.twitter.com/jnaMd7TXHs
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
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Son Heung-min injuries
The 32-year-old missed Tottenham’s wins at Manchester United and Ferencvaros and defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion in October with a hamstring injury.
He played for 70 minutes and scored in their victory at home to West Ham on October 19 but then missed their home wins over AZ Alkmaar and Manchester City and defeat at Crystal Palace with a thigh problem.
“He had an [initial] injury, came back and then, last time, it was around the 60-minute mark when he got fatigued,” said Postecoglou.
“He was never going to play more than 55 or 60 minutes, regardless of how the game was going. The great thing was, he made a pretty important contribution before that with a great ball in for our first goal and equaliser.”
“He was an inspiration for the team today.”
Ange on Ugo Ehiogu on what would have been his 52nd birthday 🤍 pic.twitter.com/1H3VH755Ub
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 3, 2024
Richarlison ‘felt hamstring’
Brazil international Richarlison, who has only featured in four of Tottenham’s opening 10 league games as part of an injury-hit year, later had to be replaced himself, making way for James Maddison, who scored an added-time free-kick after Dominic Solanke had struck twice.
Centre-back Cristian Romero was replaced by Ben Davies during the second half and Destiny Udogie started at left-back in place of Micky van de Ven, having initially come on for him when the Netherlands international sustained a hamstring issue during their Carabao Cup win at home to Manchester City on Wednesday.
“Richy felt something in his hamstring in the action of setting [Solanke’s second] goal up,” said Postecoglou. “Romero felt his foot was sore in a challenge.
“I don’t have any further information. Hopefully, both are not too serious. [Romero’s] a pretty tough cookie and for him to come off, it must be sore. It’s not ideal and it’s another game where we’ve had to reshuffle our back line.
“Radu [Dragusin] has played left centre-back, right centre-back [and swapped those positions again]. Ben Davies has had to come in at different times, Destiny [was required in] midweek. The boys are handling it really well.”
