MY ACCOUNT
Tottenham’s shocking loss at Burnley derailed their top-four charge and led to speculation about manager Antonio Conte’s future.
Four defeats in five Premier League matches have been hugely damaging for Spurs, who sit seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with two games in hand.
A clash against struggling Leeds — thrashed 6-0 by Liverpool in their last outing — is a great opportunity to get back on track.
LiveScore take a look at why helping Heung-Min Son rediscover his shooting boots, having scored just one goal in 2022, is essential for Conte’s side.
You’ve got a friend in me
When Son, 29, set up Kane’s first strike in the win over Manchester City last Saturday, it was the 36th time the two men have assisted each other in the Premier League.
Their haul matched the long-standing record held by Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Son told Sky Sports: “We’ve been waiting for long, isn’t it! This is a great record, I mean, this is historical.”
The pair missed the chance to hold the title outright after drawing a blank against Burnley but will be backing themselves to feast on Leeds’ frail defence in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off.
Robin to Kane’s batman
Talisman Kane, 28, is often celebrated as being the driving force behind Tottenham’s attack.
As a result, Son’s influence and work ethic can often go under the radar as the England skipper draws all the headlines.
After the win at the Etihad, ex-City defender Micah Richards said: “We talk about Harry Kane, but he can’t do what he does without Son. Son running in behind was absolutely exceptional.”
And those comments have been echoed by Spurs boss Conte, who said: “We are talking about a really world-class player.
“It’s fantastic because he has quality but also his running, intensity, resilience. I think that Sonny is a top player. Not a good player — a top player.”
The arrival of Dejan Kulusevski in January gives opposing defences another man to worry about which could see more attention drift away from Son, who is more than capable enough to thrive if given space.
All to play four
Arsenal’s last-gasp win last night put the Gunners in a strong position to nick the last Champions League spot, with their opponents Wolves and West Ham also in the mix ahead of their clash this weekend.
But Spurs have plenty of time to turn things around and their triumph over City showed what they are capable of when they are firing on all cylinders.
They have not kept a clean sheet in six league matches, which means Kane and Son will have to front up at the other end if Conte cannot plug the gaps at the back.
The South Korean sat out three games last month with a hamstring injury and his strike partner has not been his usual lethal self since missing out on a move to Manchester City last summer.
Kane and Son will have plenty of chances to surpass Drogba and Lampard as the Premier League’s most deadly duo this weekend despite only combining twice so far this campaign.
They will likely have to significantly close the gap to their own record of 14 combinations in one season if Spurs are to secure Champions League football.
