MOHAMMED KUDUS had predecessor Son Heung-min off his seat after netting his decisive penalty – then sat down on a stool for his own celebration.
Ghana star Kudus sealed a third straight home victory in the Champions League with an early second-half spot-kick, adding to David Zima’s brainless own goal before the break.
Kudus then plonked himself on a steward’s backless chair, as has been his trademark post-goal routine since his West Ham days.
It delighted the crowd which included the legendary Son, whom Kudus effectively replaced as Spurs’ talisman out wide when joining from the Hammers for £55million in the summer.
Xavi Simons, another big-money buy brought in to mitigate Son’s outgoing creativity, wrapped up the win with a late penalty of his own.
Son was back to say a proper goodbye to the Tottenham fans having ended his ten-year stay in North London in August to join Los Angeles FC.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Chelsea LOSE, Szoboszlai fires Liverpool to historic win, Spurs run riot
ULTRA DARK
Win a Volvo XC90 plus £2cash or £45,000 cash from just 40p with our code
It proved to be a perfect night for the former Spurs favourite as he witnessed his beloved club take an almighty step to reaching the knockouts.
This victory takes Thomas Frank‘s side up to 11 points – which was enough to reach the play-offs last season – and with two games to go.
As much as there was excitement for another Champions League game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – and it is not like they happen every season – the moment many fans wanted to be here for came 15 minutes before kick-off.
It was then that Son took to the pitch, looking dapper as ever in a grey trench-coat and black scarf, to say his piece to crowd.
Most read in Champions League
The emotional 33-year-old said: “I just want to say thank you. I’ll always be with you. This will always be my home. I will never forget you. Come and visit LA!”
Son then accepted a golden cockerel memento from fellow Spurs icon Ledley King and exited the stage, as the stars of the today prepared to take to it.
The fastest Spurs goal the South Korean star ever netted came in 45 seconds, against West Ham in 2020.
Tottenham could and probably should have had a quicker one here when Wilson Odobert fired across for Richarlison with only 38 seconds played.
But the Brazilian fired his eight-yard shot straight at goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek who made an excellent one-handed stop.
Son led the applause when Spurs did go in front on 26 minutes with yet another own goal.
The fifth strike to be scored for Spurs by the opposition this term – and third in this competition – was a hilarious one too.
Only Zima will know what he was trying to do as he clinically headed Cristian Romero‘s flick-on from a corner past his own baffled keeper.
There was more Slavia madness shortly after the break when Youssoupha Sanyang needlessly cleaned out Pedro Porro in the box.
Richarlison, who had missed a penalty against FC Copenhagen last month, gave the ball to Kudus who fired it down the middle.
Simons then won a spot-kick of his own and did the honours, completing the ideal tribute night to a beaming Son up in the stands.
Read the full article here
