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Out of the Lancashire gloom emerged two gleaming studs of pure gold from Heung-min Son’s boots and Tottenham negotiated this tricky tie in Preston without Harry Kane having to remove his woolen winter coats.
Son scored twice within 20 minutes of the second half, the first a delightful shot from 30 yards to light up an ordinary affair and the second from the turn from closer range to end their hosts’ Championship hopes.
New signing Arnaut Danjuma, who turned down Everton to sign for Villarreal on loan, came off the bench to add a third on his debut as Spurs reached the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Son Heung-min’s curling shot started Antonio Conte’s Spurs on their way to see off the Preston Championship side
Preston fans got into the FA Cup spirit as they welcomed high-flying Tottenham Hotspur to Deepdale
They are still in search of their first major trophy since 2008, which will have been a relief for Antonio Conte as he made the return trip south after taking the calculated risk of laying many of his early regulars to rest.
Conte’s bid involved seven changes, including Kane, who has been battling a fever since scoring the only goal of the game at Fulham on Monday and missed two days of training.
Kane doesn’t like to sit and watch. He had started all 29 games in all competitions for his club, up to this point in the season. And the seven England games. It has been the difference for Tottenham since the World Cup break.
Still, he left this to others, like Hugo Lloris and central midfielder Cristian Romero, who reached the World Cup final last month, taking a breather. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier rested on the bench.
Son was threatening the Preston net during a goalless first half, before forming their duo in the second half.
Conte took a chance making seven changes to his side, but Spurs dismissed Preston at the first attempt
Richarlison is injured again, although nothing serious according to Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini, who said it was a small adductor strain that should be fine in a matter of days, so Ivan Perisic led the line down the middle and Davinson Sánchez got the team out.
Without a doubt, the local public felt encouraged by the selection of Conte. However, Ryan Lowe’s side soon found themselves embroiled in a deep defence, with the full-backs pushed into a back-5, working hard to stay in the match as the Premier League side took control in a safe opening, sliding passes and taking forwards Son and Dejan Kulusevski with the ball, although without breaking the white line and creating clear chances.
An early effort from Kulusevski was deflected wide after Perisic blocked a free kick and it spilled into the penalty area. Son tested Freddie Woodman twice from distance in the first half hour and Kulusevski fired from a corner grind.
Preston proved strong enough to survive the early pressure and grew in the tie, making occasional forays outside his own half and offering some threat from set pieces. The Spurs threw bodies along the way while defending a free kick, in the first half, blocking shots from Andrew Hughes and Tom Cannon.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe scored Son’s deadlock-breaking goal ‘a world-class finish from a world-class player’
The gap in quality became apparent once Son broke the tie shortly after the interval, receiving a pass from Japhet Tanganga and before unleashing a sweet shot, molded past Woodman’s dive from 30 yards.
It was his seventh goal in all competitions in what has been a disappointing season for the South Korea international, who won the Premier League Golden Boot last season and uncorked the cup tie.
“A world-class finish from a world-class player,” Preston boss Lowe said. ‘I am immensely proud. The first half was perfect. The game plan was to keep them at bay and I can get a lot out of that, but we’re up against quality players.
Arnaut Danjuma scored a third for Spurs late on to seal their way to the fifth round of the FA Cup next month
Once behind, Preston ventured forward with more determination. They threatened to cause problems for the visitors and seemed more comfortable playing like this, although naturally more vulnerable and falling apart as holes appeared at the back.
Son claimed his second, beating Jordan Storey when he picked up a pass from Perisic and added a clinical finish. He effectively finished the contest.
Conte made further changes, sending Danjuma to play center forward, with Perisic moving back to full-back. The new signing marked his debut with a sweeping goal in the 87th minute from a low cross from Kulusevski. “A good start for him,” Stellini said. We have to find this guy. He can play a lot of positions for us up front.
Son received a standing ovation from the away fans at the end of the game. Kane was able to stay wrapped.
As Spurs battled their way into the next round, Harry Kane was able to keep warm on the substitute bench.