Sonny, now and then, by the players there for his first Premier League goal
Wed 12 April 2023, 17:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday 20 September, 2015. Approximately 2.38pm. Spurs v Crystal Palace in the Premier League. White Hart Lane, N17.
Erik Lamela won the ball on the edge of our box, got away from Fraizer Campbell and Pape Soure and moved it on to Christian Eriksen. Just off the bench, Eriksen rolled the ball into the path of Heung-Min Son, left channel, 40 yards from goal. Already running at pace, Son drove directly to the box, shifted left of Brede Hangeland, drilled his shot through Alex McCarthy and home. In his third start for the Club, and just days after scoring twice on his home debut against Qarabag in the Europa League, Sonny was up and running in the Premier League.
Four players who started that day - Hugo Lloris, Ben Davies, Eric Dier and Harry Kane - have spent the best part of eight years alongside Sonny. Hugo, Eric and Harry all played as he became the latest Premier League centurion and first Asian to hit three figures in the competition with a trademark stunning strike against Brighton on Saturday.
What do they remember about that goal against Palace? What was Sonny like when he first arrived at the Club in 2015? And what about his impact since? Those were the questions we asked Hugo, Ben and Eric, plus Erik Lamela, who spoke to us from Seville...
Hugo Lloris
“I couldn’t think if it was his first goal but, yes, I remember it, a shot through the legs of McCarthy, a 1-0 win against Palace. Sonny’s still the same guy, honestly. The years have gone so fast! He has the same enthusiasm, same positivity, same energy, he just has 100 more Premier League goals! Step by step, he built his reputation, his stats, his importance to our team. People outside here don’t know him really well. We are here every day with him, we know him more deeply. He has the same attitude… honestly, there is no difference between the Sonny who came here in 2015 and now, just the goals, the stats. He still has the same willingness and desire. I don’t know his limit. Year after year, he’s reached different levels and today, he belongs up there with the best. He’s probably the best Asian player of all-time. More important than all that is the human side. It’s a joy to be with him and, for sure, he wants to continue a few more years like this.”
Ben Davies
“I remember the Palace goal. One of the first things we all noticed about Sonny was how clean he strikes a ball, his technique. In training, we could see it straight away, both feet. You knew if he could get half-a-yard, he would strike the ball with power and accuracy off either foot, and that first goal probably caught the goalkeeper by surprise, as he hits it so hard. He was still the same character when he first joined us, full of energy and on the pitch, so much quality. It’s no surprise to see how his career has progressed. To be honest, I believe the number of goals he’s scored has almost gone under the radar, because he brings so much to the team without goals. It takes a special player to be able to contribute as much in games as he does and to be that effective, consistently. You see a lot of good wingers out there, but not many get anywhere near his contributions. It’s incredibly impressive and huge for our team.”
Eric Dier
“He was the same bubbly character when he first arrived, quite shy, he didn’t speak such good English as he does now, but bubbly in the same way. The first thing I remember was he was very friendly, shy and technically, very gifted. It was fitting he scored his 100th in the way he did, that’s his trademark finish, top corner. He can do that from both sides, left or right. His impact? He’s brought a whole nation of fans with him, and we really felt that when we went to Korea last summer. His energy, his character, globally, he’s well known and well loved.”
Erik Lamela
“It was a pleasure to share things with Sonny from the beginning, because as soon as he arrived, I felt like I knew him for a very long time. He’s a very good team-mate. I remember his first goal against Palace, it was a counter-attack, he finished it with his left foot, then ran around to our supporters at White Hart Lane. It’s a very good memory. Now, 100 goals, it’s a very good mark, and I’m sure he will score more. I’m so happy for him, I want to say congratulations and I hope he does it for him and for Spurs as well, because I love both very much. I’m sure we will see Sonny scoring many more goals.”
