Late Son winner seals crucial victory for Tottenham over Luton

Spurs made hard work of what should have been a more comfortable victory over relegation strugglers.

WINNER: Son Heung-Min celebrates scoring during the winner against Luton Town. Pic: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

PREMIER LEAGUE

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (Kabore og 50, Son 86) 

LUTON TOWN 1 (Chong 3) 

TOTTENHAM left it late again, but Heung Min Son's 86th minute winner was a well deserved reward for Ange Postecoglou's side, who had to come from behind and are closing in on a top four finish.

Tahith Chong had given Luton an unlikely early lead before his team-mate Issa Kabore equalised for Spurs with an own goal soon after half-time. Son's 14th goal of the season secured all-three points, which was enough to take Tottenham back above Aston Villa, who were playing Wolves in Saturday's late kick-off.

Although it was a return to winning ways for Spurs, who'd lost 3-0 at Fulham a fortnight ago, they again made hard work of what should have been a more comfortable victory over relegation strugglers.

Spurs dominated in terms of possession and chances, but are missing the clinical finishing of Harry Kane. Fortunately for them his former partner in crime Son is as hungry as ever.

Luton took the lead in the third minute and it originated after a Tottenham attack broke down. Dejan Kuluseveski had acres of the space on the right when Alfie Doughty slipped, but as he bore down on goal, instead of shooting or crossing low into the penalty area, he tried cutting the ball back across the penalty area. Andros Townsend, back at the club where his career started, won the ball back deep in his own half, ran to the opposite end and crossed low towards Carlton Morris, who waited and then weighted his pass across goal perfectly for Chong to shoot into the far corner of goal.

It served as a wake-up call to Tottenham, and they went forward relentlessly in search of an equaliser, only for the end-product to lack quality. Timo Werner was guilty of a bad miss when he raced on to Kulusevski's long pass but instead of passing to the unmarked Destiny Udogie, took on a defender and screwed his shot wide of the far post. Moments later Son went even closer, taking the ball round Thomas Kaminski but seeing his shot cannon off both posts before rebounding out. Werner's follow-up shot was blocked, as was Pape Matar Sarr's, as Luton put their bodies on the line.

It was no shock to see Ange Postecoglou shake up his side at half-time, though it was a surprise to see Brennan Johnson replace Kulusevski rather than Werner.

And the Wales striker had an immediate impact as he set up Tottenham's equaliser five minutes into the second half, exchanging passes with Pedro Porro before crossing low towards Werner at the far post. Kabore, who had proved as fast as Werner throughout, got to the ball first but turned it into his own net.

Spurs were lifted and Son had a first-time shot well saved by Kaminski. At the opposite end, Guglielmo Vicario also made an important save, diving full length to keep out a low piledriver from Ross Barkley. The Italian keeper also made a good save from Jordan Clark's shot soon after the Luton man replaced Luke Berry.

Porro went close, clipping a half-volley over the bar, and Johnson thought he had scored when he diverted Giovani Lo Celso's cross towards goal, but Kaminski got an arm to the ball and Doughty cleared as it was about to go in. Replays showed it was the width of a cigarette paper from crossing the line.

But there was no doubt when Son scored in the 87th minute, the first time they had been ahead. The Korean led a break from defence before passing to Werner on the left. The German's crossed into a crowded goalmouth and Johnson stuck out a leg to prod the ball back towards the onrushing Son, whose shot went in off the leg Luton substitute Daiki Hashioka.

Nine minutes of stoppage time followed, but Tottenham always looked the more likely side to score again.

Tottenham (4-2-3-1):Vicario 7; Porro 7, Romero 7, Dragusin 7, Udogie 7; Sarr 7 (Lo Celso 68), Bissouma 6 (Richarlison 85); Kulusevski 6 (Johnson 46), Maddison 7 (Bentancur 68), Werner 6; Son 8 ((Hojbjerg 88) 

Luton (4-3-3): Kaminski 6; Kabore 6, Mengi 5, Burke 6 (Hashioka 46), Doughty 7 (Woodrow 83); Berry 6 (Clark 65), Ruddock 6, Barkley 7; Townsend 7, Morris 5, Chong 7 (Onyedinma 74) 

Ref: Jarred Gillett 5/10