Tottenham erase early deficit, proving again they can win without Harry Kane

For the first time in 10 tries this season, thanks in large part to Son Heung-Min’s 17th and 18th goals in all competitions, Tottenham erased a deficit to secure victory.

The South Korean didn’t hit the winning volley with clarity or purity, but his scuffed shinned effort flummoxed Asmir Begović.

Son and Serge Aurier put an exclamation mark on the win with late insurance makers, providing Spurs with a crucial 4-1 away win over a combative, lively Bournemouth side.

Bournemouth pushed men forward with reckless abandon in the dying minutes, and Christian Eriksen made them pay for their unmuted adventurous endeavour. He sent Son through on goal, and the Korean skipped past Begović with ease.

Aurier deposited an open header in injury time to make it a flattering scoreline for the visitors.

The win leapfrogs Spurs into third place – a point ahead of Liverpool – and restores Tottenham’s five point lead over Chelsea in the race to secure a top-four spot. The win showed Spurs’ fortitude and collective strength of character, their ability to overcome a deficit and win without their lead act visible for all to see.

First half

The match started with 12 minutes of discomfort for Spurs. Hurried and hassled, Tottenham were put under the cosh from kick off. Davinson Sánchez, in scenes reminiscent of Juventus’ winner, stepped up prematurely, leaving Junior Stanislas and Callum Wilson with a two-man break from inside their own half.

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Wilson unselfishly laid the pass off to Stanislas who was forced to dink over an onrushing Hugo Lloris. The ball fortuitously bounced off the crossbar, sparing Spurs’ early blushes.

The home side’s early pressure paid off in the 7th minute, this time Stanislas making no mistake with a confident left footed finish which dragged across Lloris’ goal.

Victor Wanyama and Sánchez were drawn to Wilson, leaving Stanislas completely unmarked at the back post.

Harry Kane injured his right ankle on his first sniff of goal. Kane, after being clattered by Asmir Begović, knew instantly it was an issue he wouldn’t be able to shrug off. Whether due primarily to precautionary reasons, Kane was withdrawn from the match. It is the same ankle he injured against Millwall in the FA Cup almost a year ago to the day. Supporters wait with bated breath for the medical team’s diagnosis.

Dele Alli, who struggled in the opening 30 minutes, equalized for Spurs with a wonderfully worked goal. Erik Lamela – who came on for the injured Kane – made an instant impact, finding Son Heung-Min in midfield with a crisp pass. The South Korean played a lovely angled ball for Serge Aurier, who whipped a precise ball in for an anticipant Dele.

The Englishman, after receiving some stick from Bournemouth supporters for an earlier whiff on an attempted volley, had the final laugh, depositing his sixth of the season.

Second half

The home side started on the front foot after the break, with Simon Francis’ venomous drive thwarted by a strong Lloris save.

From then on, it was all Tottenham.

Eriksen tested Begović from long range in the 57th minute, but the Bosnian international was equal to the task.

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Son, poking and prodding with vitality, enjoyed life after the halftime interval. Son – in addition to the winning goal – had a few more shots on target, making life difficult for Bournemouth. Dele also played well in the second stanza, stepping up admirably in Kane’s absence.

The supporting cast – Eriksen, Son and Alli – have now scored 37 combined goals, two more than Kane.