Out of Lancashire’s gloom came two gleaming bolts of pure gold from the boots of Heung-min Son and Tottenham negotiated this tricky cup-tie at Preston without the need for Harry Kane to remove his winter woollies.
Son struck twice inside 20 second half minutes, the first a delightful strike from 30 yards to light up an otherwise ordinary affair and the second on the turn from closer range to end the hopes of their Championship hosts.
New signing Arnaut Danjuma, who rejected Everton to sign on loan from Villarreal, came off the bench to add a third on his debut and Spurs eased into the FA Cup fifth round.
Son Heung-min’s curling shot started Antonio Conte’s Spurs on their way to seeing off Championship side Preston
Preston fans got into the FA Cup spirit as they welcomed high-flying Tottenham Hotspur to Deepdale on Saturday
They are still in pursuit their first major trophy since 2008, which will have come as some relief to Antonio Conte as he made the return journey south having taken the calculated risk of resting many of his first regulars.
Conte’s gamble 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 does not like to sit and watch. He had started all 29 games across all competitions for his club, until this point in the season. And all seven England games. He has been the difference for Tottenham since the World Cup break.
Still, he left this to others, as did Hugo Lloris and centre-half Cristian Romero, who both made it to the World Cup final last month, took a breather. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier rested on the bench.
Son was threatening Preston’s net during a goalless first-half, before coming up with his pair of second-half strikes
Conte took a risk making seven changes to his side but it didn’t matter as his Spurs side took a comfortable victory
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 through the centre and Davinson Sanchez led the team out.
The home crowd were undoubtedly encouraged by Conte’s selection. Ryan Lowe’s team soon found themselves deep in defence, however, with wing-backs pushed into a back-five, working hard to stay in the contest as the Premier League team seized control in a confident opening, slicking passes around and getting wide forwards Son and Dejan Kulusevski on the ball, albeit without breaking through the white shirts and creating clear chances.
An early effort from Kulusevski was deflected wide after a free-kick by Perisic had been blocked and spilled down into the penalty area. Son twice tested Freddie Woodman from distance in the opening half hour and Kulusevski fired over from a corner routine.
Preston proved strong enough to survive the early pressure and grew into the tie, making occasional forays out of their own half and offering some threat from set-pieces. Spurs threw bodies in the way as they defended a free kick, in the first half, blocking shots from Andrew Hughes and Tom Cannon.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe described Son’s goal which broke the deadlock as ‘a world-class finish from a world-class player’
The gap in quality became clear once Son broke the deadlock soon after the interval, collecting a pass from Japhet Tanganga and before unleashing a sweet strike, shaped beyond the dive of Woodman 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’s Golden Boot last season, and it uncorked the cup tie.
‘A world-class finish from a world-class player,’ said Preston boss Lowe. ‘I’m immensely proud. The first half was perfect. The game plan was to keep them at bay and I can take a lot from that but we were up against quality players.’
Arnaut Danjuma slotted home a third for Spurs late on to seal their path to the FA Cup fifth round next month
Once behind, Preston ventured forward with more purpose. They threatened to cause problems for the visitors and looked more comfortable playing this way although, naturally, more vulnerable and were taken apart as holes appeared at the back.
Son claimed his second, spinning past Jordan Storey as he collected a pass by Perisic, and added a clinical finish. It effectively ended the contest.
Conte made more changes and sent Danjuma on to play centre forward, with Perisic reverting to wing-back. The new signing marked his debut with a goal in the 87th minute swept in from a low cross by Kulusevski. ‘A good start for him,’ said Stellini. ‘We have to discover this guy. He can play in many positions for us up front.’
Son went off to an ovation from the away fans late in the game. Kane was able to stay wrapped up.
As Spurs eased their way into the next round, Harry Kane was able to remain warm on the subs bench and get a rest
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