Son Heung-min's career-worst league is just around the corner, and despite his return from injury, he suffered a crushing 02 defeat by Tottenham Palace → 17th place

May 11, 2025

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Tottenham lost again despite the return of Captain Son Heung-min.

Tottenham lost 0-2 in the 36th round of the English Premier League (EPL) match against Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, at 10:15 p.m. on the 11th (Korea time). Tottenham fell to 17th place.

Son Heung-min, who was suffering from a foot injury, will be able to play his return match. Ahead of the game, Tottenham manager Enze Postecoglou predicted Son's return from injury, saying he hopes to play at least a little.

Son Heung-min, who did not have to overdo himself at all ahead of the Europa League (UEL) final against Manchester United, waited on the bench, not the starter. Captain is back after 8 games.

Tottenham have given most of their main players a break because they have to focus on the UEL final. Tottenham gave Antonin Kinski the goal. The defense consisted of Jed Spence, Ben Davies, Kevin Danso and Pedro Porro. The midfield was played by Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray and Rodrigo Bentancur. Dejan Kulusevski, Matisse Tel, and Wilson Odover were responsible for the attack. The only main players are Kulusevski, Bentancur and Porro.

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Tottenham, which was dominated by backup members, began to be pushed back from the beginning of the game. In the third minute of the first half, Palace tried to attack from the right. Daniel Muñoz sharply crossed. He headed for Tyreek Mitchell, who penetrated to the other side, but Kinski caught Mitchell's weak shot.

Good luck followed for Tottenham. In the 8th minute of the first half, Palace launched a counterattack. Echeverrie Eze delivered a pass to Munoz in the middle. Ismaila Sarr finished off Muñoz's cross. It was declared a goal, but it was canceled due to offside after VAR reading. It was a split second.

Tottenham even had an injury demonstration. In the 16th minute of the first half, Kulusevski strongly collided with the defender in the process of receiving the ball. Kulusevski complained of pain, and medics were sent in. At first, Kulusevski said he was fine, but he didn't hesitate again. Kulusevski was eventually replaced by Mikey Moore. It seems to be an injury prevention measure, but Kulusevski looked uncomfortable somewhere.

Tottenham have not recovered from the atmosphere at all. Tottenham's defensive concentration was shaken at a corner kick in the 25th minute of the first half. Kinski blocked Jean-Philippe Mateta's shot from a mixed situation. Munoz had a chance in Palace's counterattack that followed shortly after. Tottenham overcame the crisis as Munoz's bold shot hit the post.

In the 33rd minute of the first half, the back space of Tottenham's defense was also exposed to Mateta. If Kinski couldn't stop him with his foot, he would have lost a point.

Just before the end of the first half, Palace shook Tottenham's net again from a corner kick. The score was canceled again this time because Max Saens Lacroix's header hit Mark Guehi's hand.

Tottenham eventually lost a point. The right side has collapsed. Again, Munoz properly allowed space. Muñoz turned the ball over to Eze in the perfect scoring opportunity, and Eze pushed it into the empty net.

Even considering the rotation, Tottenham had a desperate performance.

At the start of the second half, Tottenham took out Bentancur and put in Yves Bissouma. Bissouma was alerted as soon as he entered the stadium.

Tottenham immediately lost a point. Palace's counterattack began in the third minute of the second half. Sarr's shot was blocked, but Sarr caught the ball again and handed it over to Eze, and Eze finished it lightly.

Tottenham gave up another run crisis. He completely exposed space on the counterattack. Mateta had the perfect opportunity, but Kinski saved it well.

Tottenham had their first chance in the second half. The prisoner put up a perfect cross from the right. Sarr ran in and hit it on the head, but it went off the post. Frustrated Tottenham eventually put Son Heung-min in the 13th minute of the second half without a prisoner.

Even after Son Heung-min was put in, Tottenham's atmosphere showed no signs of improving. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Sarr's header, following Ben Chilwell's cross, slightly missed the post. Tottenham couldn't even get close to Palace's goal.

Son Heung-min had a chance to score. In the 25th minute of the second half, Tottenham succeeded in advancing quickly from the back. The ball came to Son Heung-min, but he was blocked by the defense because of his slow shooting timing.

Son Heung-min prepared a free kick obtained by Tel in the 29th minute of the second half. Son Heung-min didn't aim for the shot himself, but he was blocked by the defense.

Son Heung-min, who just returned from injury, did not perform very well. Son Heung-min's sharp movements did not come out well. It should also be taken into account that Tottenham's colleagues did not properly support them.

In the 44th minute of the second half, Tel created a good opportunity for Son Heung-min, but Son Heung-min's shot was blocked by defense again this time.

Tottenham lost after showing a tragic performance despite Son Heung-min's return. Son Heung-min's worst league performance in career history is approaching.

Reporter Kim Dae-sik rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.