Son Heung-min brace helps Spurs to win: Five things we learned from Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham | OneFootball

Goals from James Maddison and Son Heung-min saw Tottenham defeat Hoffenheim 3-2 in the Europa League.

Spurs started the brighter of the two sides and were ahead three minutes in after Maddison controlled Pedro Porro’s long ball and fired past Oliver Baumann in the Hoffenheim goal.

Maddison then turned provider as his pass sent Son through on goal and the South Korean chipped the ball past Baumann via a deflection to double the lead. The hosts got a goal back in the second half through Anton Stach but Son scored his second of the game to calm the nerves.

David Mokwa headed in a second for Hoffenheim with two minutes to go but Spurs held on for the win.

Here are five things we learned from the match…

Fans make thoughts clear on Daniel Levy

It only took three minutes for Tottenham to score the game’s opener, but Spurs fans were already very vocal about their chairman Daniel Levy. Chants from the first whistle of “we want Levy out” echoed around the PreZero Arena, with Levy coming under further scrutiny as the January transfer window edges closer to a finish with just the solitary signing made.

Son guides Spurs to much needed victory

Spurs for much of this season have been a first-half side. They have scored 23 goals in the opening 45 minutes of Premier League matches, more than any other team. Today they scored another two in the first half, courtesy of Maddison then Son. It has been the second period where Ange Postecoglou’s men have struggled, especially when they have a lead to defend. Even after Anton Stach tapped in for the hosts, Spurs rallied and got the crucial third.

Ange finds way to win with thin squad

Everyone knows about the struggles Tottenham and especially Postecoglou have had in recent months. Injuries and suspensions have ravaged through the north Londoners, with The Lilywhites statistically one of the worst teams in the Premier League during the winter period. If you remove 18-year-old duo Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, Spurs only had eight senior outfield players over the age of 20 available, and they beat their hosts with relative ease.

Spurs park the bus?

Tottenham raced into a two goal lead in the first half, mainly thanks to their brilliance but partially down to how poor Hoffenheim were when defending. The German side were handing chances to the visitors on a silver platter, and were fortunate not to be more than two down at half time. After the break, Spurs shut up shop. They held a strong defensive line and only penetrated their hosts on the counterattack. Postecoglou does change his tactics after all.

Spurs one win away from round of 16

Victory for Tottenham has put them in a great position heading into the final round of fixtures next week. They currently lie in fourth place in the 36 team league phase, two points off the top, but one point from ninth place. Their final day opponents are Swedish side Elfsborg, who are down in 26th and outside the play-offs as it stands. Victory in that match would help Postecoglou’s men avoid an extra two games, something the north Londoners are desperate not to have.