Garth Crooks names two Spurs stars in his team of the week after win over Villa

Former Spurs forward Garth Crooks has picked two Tottenham players in his team of the week – Toby Alderweireld and Son Heung-min.

Alderweireld admitted after the game on Sunday that he had a crazy few days leading up to the game, due to the birth of his son a couple of days beforehand.

The centre half certainly looked out of sorts for the home side’s first goal as he made a mess of a deflected cross and flicked it past Hugo Lloris into his own net.

However, he made amends for his mistake pretty quickly as he lashed home a half volley to equalise for Spurs down the other end.

Crooks was so impressed by the Belgian international’s finish that he felt he deserved to make the team.

In his column for BBC Sport, he wrote: “In the absence of a clean sheet, and having put the ball in the back of your own net, you have got to do something pretty spectacular to still get in my team of the week. Well, Toby Alderweireld did exactly that.

“The way the defender swivelled in the opposition’s penalty area and finished all in one move was absolutely sensational. At that moment the Belgium international looked more like a striker than a central defender.

“As for the own goal I wasn’t entirely sure it was all Alderweireld’s fault – especially after the look he gave keeper Hugo Lloris. I would be very interested to know what words were shared between them at half-time.”

Crooks also raved about Son’s display against Villa and suggested that the South Korean has stepped up to the plate in Harry Kane’s absence.

The club have since confirmed that the South Korean will be out of action for several weeks after needing surgery on a fractured arm he sustained on Sunday.

Speaking about the 27-year-old’s performance at Villa Park, Crooks wrote: “While Son’s first goal was shrouded in controversy, there is no doubt in my mind that his second against a quite rightly aggrieved Aston Villa was of the highest quality.

“Since the injury to Harry Kane, Tottenham’s reliance on Son has rocketed. The player’s response to such demands, not to mention pressure, has been immense.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Son’s absence has certainly come as a huge blow as our two main goalscoring threats are now out. However, with the likes of Lucas, Bergwijn, Dele, Lamela and Lo Celso, there are still goals in this team. It will be interesting to see how Jose solves this conundrum against Leipzig.

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