Son Heung-min receives low score for lackluster performance against Chelsea

By Hong Duy May 3, 2024 | 01:25 am PT

Son Heung-min (number 7) and Tottenham players were disappointed after conceding the first goal in the 0-2 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League on May 2, 2024. Photo by Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min and five teammates were given a 4 out of 10 for their performance in the 0-2 Premier League defeat to Chelsea.

At Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on Thursday, Son had 43 touches on the ball, 80% passing accuracy with three key passes, a successful dribble and no shot.

In terms of experience, Sportmail rated Son as superior to the 20-year-old right-back Alfie Gilchrist, but the South Korean star did not leave much of an impression.

"No Tottenham player performed well, including their captain," the U.K. newspaper commented.

Five other Tottenham players who also received a 4 are Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Emerson Royal. Coach Ange Postecoglou also got a four. Pedro Porro and Cristian Romero got a 4.5, while Guglielmo Vicario and Brennan Johnson got a 5.

Defender Micky van de Ven got the highest score among Tottenham players - 5.5.

"The fastest player in the Premier League this season showed his pace when he ran back to prevent Nicolas Jackson from scoring. That was one of many times Van de Ven showed his impressive speed," Sportmail wrote.

On Chelsea's side, Sportmail gave Marc Cucurella the highest score of 9. The Spanish full-back had a good performance, moving into midfield when the team got the ball and defending solidly when Tottenham attacked.

Alfie Gilchrist, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke all received 8.5 points, while Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk, Cole Palmer and coach Mauricio Pochettino got an 8.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea scored two goals in each half from set-pieces. In the 24th minute, Conor Gallagher took a corner kick and Trevor Chalobah scored from a header. In the 72nd minute, Cole Palmer hit the bar with a free kick before Jackson headed the ball into the empty net, sealing the 2-0 victory.

With this result, Chelsea kept their hopes of playing in the Europa League next season by climbing to eighth with 51 points and only three points away from Man Utd's sixth place. Meanwhile, Tottenham are in fifth place with 60 points, seven points behind Aston Villa and still have one match to go.

In the next round of the Premier League this weekend, Chelsea will play West Ham United and Tottenham face Liverpool.