Tottenham manager Nuno Espírito Santo paid tribute to Son Heung-min after his goal secured a 1-0 victory over champions Manchester City in their opening match of the Premier League season.
After a shaky start, Spurs managed the game well and struck a deadly blow through Son Heung-min just after half time. The match was Nuno’s first charge of Tottenham since taking over from interim manager Ryan Mason last summer.
The win extended Spurs’ latest good record against Pep Guardiola’s side with City who have yet to score at their opponent’s new stadium.
Speaking after full-time, Nuno addressed several topics – including Japhet Tanganga’s behavior, the importance of the Son and how he can improve, as well as Harry Kane’s future.
Tottenham had several star artists / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
“It was the idea – to go beyond your limits, and I think everyone saw this today. The boys go beyond … the struggle, the discipline, the way of behaving was very good. This is what we have to do every day of our life, he tells the club’s website.
“I’m very happy with the whole team, to be honest, because of the way we work. We’re trying to create a unit, and everyone has to be involved, everyone has to be involved.
“Of course, when the players play, they get recognition from everyone, but there is a lot more behind the scenes, the commitment and we are in the process, we have to keep working hard.”
Son got a great winner / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
“Sonny and the talent he has is amazing. I really think he is versatile enough to play and develop the tasks in all positions in the front. He is dynamic, has speed and he knows the game.
“Like I said before, Sonny is in the moment where he knows and he can find the gaps, the spaces and he’s a killer, a killer. He did well but I still think he also had actions in the first half that he will do. will certainly do better in the future. “
“The [Japhet and Oliver] did well, “he told Sky Sports (via Express). When they started the season, they were in the process of recovering from injuries, but they had a good foundation in terms of fitness and physicality with the work they did with sports science.
“When they started the season, they were in the process of recovering from injuries but they had a good foundation in terms of fitness and physicality with the work they did with sports science.
“I think they could continue to grow and we can see that they are alert and stronger and faster. The whole team did very well but Japhet was huge today. He met too many en-v-ones today against fantastic players and he did fantastic with the situation. “
Spurs are still committed to keeping Harry Kane at the club this summer / Visionhaus / Getty Images
“Harry, like Bryan [Gil], Cristian Romero, they joined us later. For Cristian and Bryan, it was very important to be here today.
“To feel the atmosphere and to be in the stadium and to be in the hotel, to attend the meeting, but to know that they do not have too many sessions with us. Harry worked this morning, he is preparing and when he is done he will join the group and help the team.
He added: “Harry Kane is one of the best players in the world, honestly. We are very lucky to have him. He has to get ready and help the team. We still have to go to Portugal then we think of Wolves.”
“We still have a long way to go to be perfect and we will probably never achieve that, but I’m really proud of how the players worked and really grateful for the supporters’ support.
“It was huge how they helped the team until the last minute and helped the boys, and we are very grateful for that.”
