Son Heung-min marks 400 games with Spurs in stale 1-1 draw with West Ham

Football

Published: 03 Apr. 2024, 10:50 Updated: 03 Apr. 2024, 16:47

Son Heung-min marks 400 games with Spurs in stale 1-1 draw with West Ham

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, left, takes a shot on goal under pressure from West Ham's Mohammed Kudus at London Stadium in London, England on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Son Heung-min made his 400th appearance for Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday in their 1-1 draw against West Ham at London Stadium in London, England, days after becoming his club’s fifth top goal scorer of all time.

It was a memorable match — though the action on the pitch wasn't much to remember.

Winger Brennan Johnson opened the scoring for Spurs in the fifth minute with Timo Werner getting the assist, slotting over to Johnson a low cross from the left. But West Ham were quick to equalize, Kurt Zouma capitalizing on a cross from Jarrod Bowen to put the ball into the corner of Spurs’ net.

Spurs were unable to claw back their lead despite upping the ante in the second half and keeping possession for 68 percent of the game.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min reacts after missing a chance to score during the English Premier League soccer match against West Ham at London Stadium in London, England on Tuesday. [AP/YONHAP]

It was a disappointing match for Spurs, who missed a chance to surpass No. 4 Aston Villa on the Premier League table, but one for the books for Son.

Spurs and the Premier League on Tuesday posted a nostalgia-packed video to Instagram, capturing the beloved Korean footballer's biggest moments at the club.

Son, in animation form, flips open a photo album with 400 in hangul on the cover to a highlights reel of his nearly nine-year Spurs career: First (and second) goal for Spurs in his debut in a Europa League match against Qarabag. First Premier League goal against Crystal Palace. Goal-of-the-season contender against Chelsea. First person to score at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Puskas Award stunner against Burnley. Premier League goal combination record with Harry Kane. Winning a Golden Boot in 2022. Becoming captain in 2023. 400th game.

Son joined Spurs in 2015 on a five-year contract worth 22 million pounds (37 billion won) to become the most expensive Asian player in football history. His current contract with Spurs runs until the summer of 2025, but there has so far been no reason to speculate that Son will exit the club.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]