Tottenham Hotspur vs Huddersfield Town. Premier League.
Wembley StadiumAttendance68,311.
Sunday 4 March 2018 00:02, UK
Heung-min Son scored twice as Tottenham strengthened their place in the top four in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Huddersfield at Wembley.
Son put Spurs ahead in the 27th minute when he was played through and took the ball around Jonas Lossl before finishing into the empty net.
The second goal arrived shortly after half-time when Son expertly guided a header into the corner from Harry Kane's brilliant cross.
Huddersfield, who were seeking a third straight Premier League win, hardly threatened on their first return to Wembley since winning the Championship play-off final last season.
The result is the ideal preparation for Spurs ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Juventus on Wednesday, and moves them five points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who play Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Spurs dominated from the start and took the lead in the 27th minute when the excellent Son was played through by Dele Alli and coolly took the ball around Lossl before finishing across goal.
Even before scoring, Son had looked Spurs' brightest player, with one brilliant turn and run in the 17th minute setting up Kane for a near-post shot that was well saved.
Christian Eriksen's deflected free-kick hit the outside of the post shortly afterwards, while Lossl saved again from Kane later in the half as Spurs looked to extend their lead.
After being denied a seemingly clear penalty when Terence Kongolo pulled down Son early in the second half, the hosts eventually scored their second in the 54th minute, moments after Huddersfield's best opening of the match when Tom Ince's powerful strike was pushed away by Hugo Lloris.
Kane created the second goal with an excellent cross from the right touchline that bounced in the box for Son to head across goal and into the far corner.
Spurs could have had more as they comfortably closed out the win but Kane shot wide from a corner and then saw an effort saved by Lossl.
Mauricio Pochettino: "It was very tough, they were difficult to break down. It's always difficult in the Premier League, all the games are tough, but we dominated and deserved the victory. Son is doing a fantastic job, being consistent and scoring goals and I am so pleased because of the two goals and he helped the team to get the three points.
David Wagner: "We got beaten by quality. There's no doubt they were the better team and it was a deserved defeat even though in the second half we tried what we were able to do, but we got beaten by quality, that's something we have to accept. We have said this before, and I think everybody is able to leave with their heads up and we will prepare for a very exciting game which we have at our fortress of the John Smith's Stadium [against Swansea next Saturday]."
Restored to the starting line-up after missing out against Crystal Palace last weekend, Son staked his claim for a place in the XI against Juventus with an excellent display.
He looked bright and threatening from the start and showed good composure and technique to score the opener, taking it around Lossl with his right foot and finishing with his left. The second goal was also well taken from a bouncing cross and he received a warm ovation when he was taken off in the 70th minute.
Tottenham host Juventus in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday, having come back from 2-0 down to level the tie at 2-2 in Turin. They then travel to Bournemouth in the Premier League next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Huddersfield host Swansea next Saturday in the Premier League.
