Heung-Min Son received the adulation in his final appearance for Tottenham Hotspur as they drew 1-1 with Newcastle United in Seoul in a game marked by a serious-looking injury to James Maddison.
Brennan Johnson and Harvey Barnes scored the goals but the significance of this friendly centred on the knowledge that Son’s time at Spurs is coming to an end following his announcement that he “needs a new environment” after a decade with the club.
Having finally ended his trophy drought with Tottenham by captaining them to Europa League glory in May, this fixture in his native South Korea marked the dream send-off for Son and he was at the heart of all that happened – including a ceremonial kick-off.
Heung-Min Son received a guard of honour as he left the pitch in Seoul
Johnson then paid tribute to Son by borrowing his trademark goal celebration when his deflected strike beat Nick Pope just after the three-minute mark. Spurs had the chance to double the lead soon after but Pope denied Mathys Tel when clean through.
Brennan Johnson honours Heung-Min Son after scoring Tottenham’s goal
Newcastle carried a threat of their own, Joelinton twice going close before Barnes cut inside from the left wing and fired right-footed beyond Antonin Kinsky at the goalkeeper’s near post. But the big moment in the match came just after the hour mark.
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s equaliser
When Son was replaced by Mohammed Kudus, the game came to a standstill as players from both sides wanted to wish him well, while the supporters – family among them – saluted the hugely popular 33-year-old winger as the tears streamed down his face.
Neither side could find a winner but the game ended on a flat note with Son among those concerned as Maddison went down injured off the ball after attempting to turn. The Spurs playmaker was stretchered off, covering his face in disappointment.
More to follow…
What’s next for Newcastle and Tottenham?
Newcastle are still waiting for their first victory of pre-season but have two more friendlies left after this game, with Espanyol visiting St James’ Park on Friday and Atletico Madrid following suit on Saturday.
Thomas Frank’s Spurs, meanwhile, round off their pre-season with a trip to Germany to face Bayern Munich in the Telecom Cup on Thursday.
Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games from next season
From next season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.
