SON SHINES

Tottenham ratings: Son at the double as Spurs eventually win comfortably in Belgrade… despite a few scares

Etienne Fermie

Published: 22:03, 6 Nov 2019
Updated: 23:10, 6 Nov 2019

IN THE END it was an unexpectedly serene night for Tottenham in the hostile atmosphere of Belgrade.

It could have been oh so different if Milan Pavkov had done better with one of the numerous openings presented to him.

Full debutant Lo Celso bagged his first goal for SpursCredit: AP:Associated Press

Lo Celso celebrates Spurs' opener with Son Heung-minCredit: AP:Associated Press

Or if Paulo Gazzaniga wasn't in such fine form.

But a goal on his first start for the impressive Giovani Lo Celso, and a second half brace from Son Heung-min gave Spurs a really important victory as they look to progress from Group B.

Here is how SunSport rated each individual performance on a good night for Mauricio Pochettino's men.

PAULO GAZZANIGA

The in-form Argentine made a superb stop in the first half to deny Pavkov one-on-one. Frustrated Red Star once again just before half-time with an exquisite fingertip save to touch Van la Parra's effort onto the post. 8

JUAN FOYTH

Tried manfully to get to the byline, but often lacked the pace to really make an impact going forward. Reasonably solid defensively. 6

DAVINSON SANCHEZ

Big let off when he struck his own crossbar just before the break after Rajiv Van la Parra had hit the post. A few harum scarum moments but ultimately decent. 6

ERIC DIER

Booked in the first half for an aerial challenge with Pavkov. Like Sanchez, a few scary moments, but was reasonably assured on just his third start of the season. Tried to bring the ball out of defence. 6

DANNY ROSE

Nice run and square pass to set up Son's second goal. Not overly troubled defensively, but an improved display nonetheless. Nice pass to play Sessegnon in behind for Tottenham's fourth. 7

Rose battled away for SpursCredit: Reuters

MOUSSA SISSOKO

Bustling, disciplined performance. Understated but stuck to his task well. Always on hand to cover for his team-mates when they went for a wander. Typically dependable. 7

TANGUY NDOMBELE

Kept the scramble alive with a good challenge in the build-up to Lo Celso's goal. Nearly gifted Red Star a golden chance when his slack pass gave the ball away in midfield - lucky that Pavkov was wasteful. Burst forward brilliantly before passing the ball to Alli who found Son for Spurs' second goal. 7

GIOVANI LO CELSO

Won the ball brilliantly on the halfway line in the build-up to his goal. After finding Harry Kane the ball eventually scrambled to the Argentine who took a good touch and finished smartly after Red Star had somehow kept it out. Was very involved playing nominally off the right hand side, particularly in the first half. Promising touches and vision - exciting for Spurs fans. STAR MAN 8

DELE ALLI

Relatively quiet night for Dele. Tried plenty of flicks and first time passes, with few coming off. Did, however, weight his pass perfectly to tee up Son's first goal. 6

SON HEUNG-MIN

Somehow conspired to miss twice in the build-up to Lo Celso's goal. With the keeper down Son scuffed his first shot into one of the defenders on the line, before shortly after smacking the bar from about a yard, spared blushes by Lo Celso. Did eventually get on the scoresheet when he rifled home from Dele Alli's through ball. On hand shortly after to apply the simple finish to Danny Rose's square. 8

HARRY KANE

Lashed into the side netting in the first half. Struck the post in the build-up to Lo Celso's goal after a slightly heavy touch. Dangerous in possession. Gorgeous through ball for Rose in the build up to Son's second. Dragged a shot wide from seven yards after Eriksen's cutback. 7