Heung-min Son has proven time and time again that he is a thorn in the side of Man City, but with both teams struggling for form, can the Spurs captain deliver another memorable performance?
Tottenham Hotspur are set to travel to the Etihad Stadium this weekend to take on Manchester City in a Premier League clash that feels pivotal for both sides. This isn’t the usual meeting of two in-form giants; instead, both teams find themselves searching for stability as the season progresses.
Manchester City, who have lost their last four matches across all competitions, including two consecutive league defeats, are uncharacteristically vulnerable. Despite this, they remain in second place, five points off the top of the Premier League table and seven points clear of Spurs in 10th. Their three wins in the last five league matches are a testament to their ability to grind out results, but the cracks are showing, and Spurs will aim to exploit them.
For Tottenham, their recent form has been equally erratic. Sitting 10th with three points separating them from third, Spurs had a chance to leapfrog several teams with a victory in their last match but faltered with a disappointing loss to Ipswich Town, a side without a league win before that encounter. It is against this backdrop of inconsistency that Spurs look to their captain, Heung Min Son, to inspire a resurgence.
When it comes to Manchester City, few players have had as much joy as Heung Min Son, whose contributions in these fixtures have proven crucial for Spurs over the years. The South Korean has faced City 19 times since joining Tottenham, with a record of nine wins, two draws, and eight losses (transfermarkt).
In the Premier League, Son has been directly involved in nine goals against City, scoring five and assisting four. His contributions have played a significant role in Spurs amassing 26 points from their league encounters with the reigning champions.
However, it’s not just the league where Son has left his mark. In the 2018/19 Champions League quarter-final, Son was instrumental in one of Spurs’ most dramatic European triumphs. Across the two legs, he scored three of Spurs’ four goals in the tie, including a brace at the Etihad in the second leg, helping Tottenham progress on away goals after a thrilling 4-4 aggregate scoreline.
Yet, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Son against City. In the 2021 Carabao Cup final, Spurs were unable to find a breakthrough, with City lifting the trophy after a narrow 1-0 victory. Nonetheless, Son’s performances in high-stakes encounters against City have cemented his reputation as a game-changer in these fixtures.
Son’s success against Manchester City is no coincidence. His attributes – blistering pace, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing – align perfectly with the type of game Spurs often play against Pep Guardiola’s side.
City, known for their high defensive line and possession-heavy style, are particularly vulnerable in transition. This plays into Son’s strengths, as he thrives on exploiting space left behind by City’s defenders. With Spurs often deploying a counter-attacking approach in these matches, Son becomes the focal point of their offensive strategy, finding joy in one-on-one situations and punishing City on the break.
With Spurs desperate for points and City eager to halt their slump, this weekend’s clash could hinge on Son’s ability to replicate his past heroics. If history is anything to go by, Spurs will be counting on their captain to rise to the occasion once again.
The post Heung-min Son’s record against Man City – His impressive form against Pep’s team appeared first on Spurs Web.
