Son rises for Spurs

21 Sep, 2015

Son Heung-min's first Premier League goal earned Tottenham Hotspur victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, while Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney made comebacks from injury. South Korea international Son struck in the 68th minute at White Hart Lane, moments after Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had tipped a shot from Bakary Sako onto the post at the other end, to give the hosts a 1-0 win.
Son has now scored three goals in two games, after his debut brace against Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the Europa League, and Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino hailed his impact.
"When you sign players you expect them to make a big impact in the team. We are very happy with him," said the Argentine.
"He has adapted to the team very well. After scoring twice in the Europa League he scored again and when you arrive at the club as a striker, that's very good."
It was Spurs' first home win of the campaign and lifted Pochettino's side to ninth place in the table, below Alan Pardew's Palace on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Sturridge made his first appearance since April after being named in Liverpool's starting XI to face Norwich City at Anfield.
Injuries restricted Sturridge, 26, to just 18 appearances last season and he underwent hip surgery in May before a period of convalescence in the United States.
In further good news for England manager Roy Hodgson, Rooney returned to the United starting line-up at Southampton after missing two games with a hamstring injury.
Marcos Rojo also came into the team in place of left-back Luke Shaw, who sustained a graphic double leg break during United's 2-1 defeat at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Victory at St Mary's would take United to within two points of leaders Manchester City, whose perfect start to the season was ended by a 2-1 home defeat by West Ham United on Saturday.
Champions Chelsea are eight points below City after beating Arsenal 2-0 to record their first home win of the campaign, in a game that saw Gabriel and Santi Cazorla sent off for Arsene Wenger's side.

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