- Ake sent off in second half
- Son nets late winner
- Ighalo scored 14th PL goal
Tottenham snatched a late win at Vicarage Road on Monday with Son Heung-min score a cheeky flick at the near post to seal a 2-1 win over 10-man Watford.
Spurs had taken the lead through Erik Lamela’s calm finish but the hosts fought back with Odion Ighalo equalizing before the break.
Nathan Ake was sent off in a game-changing moment in the second half and Son took full advantage of that in the 89th minute as he clipped home Kieran Trippier’s cross.
[ RELATED: Watch full match replays ]
A rambunctious start saw Dele Alli booked as plenty of strong challenges flew in. Spurs started well and took the lead inside the opening 20 minutes following an error from Craig Cathcart.
Alli dispossessed the Watford center back and the ball broke to Lamela who drove towards the penalty box and then gave Heurelho Gomes the eyes as he tucked the ball home. 1-0 to Spurs.
[ RELATED: Latest Premier League standings ]
After that opener Spurs continued to look dangerous with Kane shooting from distance and Tom Carroll whipping in a dangerous cross, but just before the break Watford were level.
That man Ighalo, scoring for the sixth-straight game, latched onto a high ball and turned Eric Dier too easily in the box before prodding home. 1-1 as Watford were in the ascendancy.
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
Christian Eriksen came on for Mousa Dembele just before the break as the Belgian midfielder limped off injured.
30 - Odion Ighalo has scored more league goals in 2015 than any other player in England’s top four tiers. Peerless.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 2015
In the second half Spurs looked more likely to grab the next goal with Lamela clipping the ball over when clean through but the offside flag was raised, while Kane continued to sniff around the box for any loose balls.
[ MORE: Full lineups, stats, box score ]
Kane sent a header wide from Trippier’s cross with Tottenham’s pressing and then they were handed a boost as Watford were reduced to 10-men.
A bouncing ball on the flank saw Ake clatter into Lamela with a studs up challenge and he was shown a straight red card as tackles continued to fly in.
Watford launch a few attacks late on to try and snatch a win with a corner from Ben Watson almost crossing the line but Son jumped off the bench and struck as the clock reached the 89-minute mark to send Spurs up to third.