Son nets twice as Tottenham ease past Red Star in Champions League

Son Heung-Min scored two as Tottenham moved to within one victory of the Champions League round of 16 with a 4-0 victory over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday, their first victory on the road since May 8.

Son was sent off for his involvement in an incident in which Eveton midfielder Andre Gomes suffered an horrific leg fracture on Sunday, but saw his red card later overturned, and was not expected to start this match, due to the emotional trauma following the accident.

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However, he was named in Mauricio Pochettino's starting lineup and played a starring role with two goals in the Serbian capital.

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min
Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min
Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images

"It's a difficult place to come to but we executed the game plan to dominate from the start superbly and I am so happy," Pochettino told a news conference.

"The approach was very good and our positional play in the opposition half was fantastic. We were a bit lucky in the first half because we scored and they didn't take their chances.

"The atmosphere was great and the home fans were fantastic. Hopefully we will play here in the Champions League again."

Both sides missed early chances before Spurs eventually opened the scoring on 34 minutes after a comical goalmouth scramble which saw Tottenham hit the post and have an effort cleared off the line before Giovani Lo Celso -- making his first start for his new club -- headed home.

Son added a second on 57 minutes after he fired into the roof of the net from Dele Alli's pass. The South Korea international turned to the camera and made a praying sign, while appearing to apologise.

And he made it 3-0 three minutes later when he finished off from Danny Rose's square ball across the boss and again the celebrations were mooted. Christian Eriksen then squeezed in a fourth on 85 minutes.

Speaking after the match Son said: "Of course it has been a really tough few days but I have realised how lucky I am with all the support I have had from the fans and my teammates.

"I can say I'm really sorry for the accident and the situation but I had to focus for the team and I had to keep going and it was the right response to all the people who have supported me."

This was Spurs' first success away from home in any competition since their dramatic 3-2 victory over Ajax in the Champions League semifinals last season.

The result leaves Tottenham second in Group B on seven points, with victory at home to Olympiakos in their next match enough to confirm their qualification to the round of 16.

Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic conceded there was a gulf in class between the two teams.

"I can only congratulate Tottenham, they punished us after we squandered some first-half opportunities," he said.

"We tried to close them down but we got beaten by an outstanding team and though the defeat leaves a bitter taste, it is part of a learning curve."