BIRMINGHAM — Son Heung-min struck a superbly taken hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur took a grip on fourth place, romping to a 4-0 win at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
With Arsenal losing earlier on Saturday, Spurs have a three point lead over their North London rivals with 57 points from 31 games - the Gunners have played one game less.
South Korean Son fired Spurs ahead in the third minute when a blocked shot from Harry Kane fell to him on the edge of the box and his first time, left-foot, shot flew in off the inside of the post.
What a start for Tottenham!
It's off the post and in for Son Heung-Min who gives Tottenham the lead just 3 minutes into the match!: @nbc, @peacockTV, & @NBCUniverso #AVLTOT | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/c7CXi5hwqm
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 9, 2022
Villa then had a host of chances to get level but a combination of wasteful finishing and inspired goalkeeping from Hugo Lloris ensured Spurs went in with the lead at the break.
Hugo Lloris with a HUGE save!
All the Villa fans and players surely thought they had the equalizer.
: @nbc, @peacockTV, & @NBCUniverso #AVLTOT | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/lai7lbwJ2i— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 9, 2022
Kane then created the second for Spurs in the 50th minute, flicking on a long ball into the path of Dejan Kulusevski who burst into the box and beat Emiliano Martinez with a low shot.
Tottenham with a quick start to the half once again!
Harry Kane wins the long ball and Dejan Kulusevski gets on the end of it to make it 2-0 Tottenham!: @nbc, @peacockTV, @NBCUniverso #AVLTOT | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/67Fklzh8aX
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 9, 2022
There was a similar pattern to the third goal with Kane cleverly flicking on another long pass right into the stride of Son who ran goalwards before providing a clinical finish to make sure of a fourth win in a row for Spurs.
It's THAT duo again!
Kane and Son combine for the 40th time! Kane with the excellent flick on header to Son Heung-Min who extends Tottenham's lead to 3-0!: @NBC, @peacockTV, @NBCUniverso #AVLTOT | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/jGphte0ifC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 9, 2022
Son completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute when, from the right flank, he found Kulusevski inside and the Swedish forward unselfishly returned the pass to the South Korean who drilled home off the post.
Hat Trick Son!
Son Heung-Min has a hat trick and Tottenham lead 4-0!: @NBC, @peacockTV, @NBCUniverso #AVLTOT | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/HIWAslRxMS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 9, 2022
(Reporting by Simon Evans, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
