Son Heung-min scores crucial equalizer in 2-2 draw with Man United

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scores their second goal past Manchester United's David de Gea during a Premier League game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Thursday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Son Heung-min scored a crucial late goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester United on Thursday, tying things up in the final few minutes to save Ryan Mason from a loss in his first game as interim manager.

Son struck in the 79th minute with Spurs down 2-1, picking up a well-placed cross from Harry Kane and slotting it into the back of the net.

Son’s goal salvaged a point for Tottenham, who had been staring in the face of yet another defeat for most of the game.

United were quick off the mark at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, taking a 1-0 lead within the 10-minute mark with a goal from Jadon Sancho.

Spurs settled down quickly after the goal, managing to avoid falling apart like they did in the 6-1 drubbing at Newcastle over the weekend that forced then-interim manager Cristian Stellini’s early departure from the club.

Although the game was nowhere near as bad as that, United still had another chance at the end of half, when Marcus Rashford scored goal No. 2 shortly before the whistle.

Spurs returned from the break with more confidence, with Pedro Porro taking the score to 2-1 in the 56th minute before Son rounded things off in the 79th.

The draw does little to help Spurs’ chances of catching up with United for a Champions League spot, with the London club still sitting six points back in fifth place with six games still to play.

“Off the back of how the first half went in terms of the scoreline, to go out at half-time and stick together, fight for each other and really got our fans involved, I thought they helped us massively, and it's pleasing,” Mason said after the game. “It proves a lot to me what I already thought about this group but to see that on to the pitch is a good feeling.”

With the games grouped increasingly close together as the season end nears, Spurs have just three days of rest before facing Liverpool on the road on Sunday.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]