Son continues to climb to keep Spurs in pursuit of the top 4

The numbers of the day say enough, although there is no explanation for the feeling that comes from such victories.

Ottenham Hotspur’s brilliant brace offer their usual one-two to complete a record 41 goals where Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min have scored together and bring a 3-1 win over Leicester City that set the atmosphere around the team as this race intensifies The top four go to the wire.

That first connection, in which Kane scored the opening goal, was also Spurs’ first shot on goal in 220 minutes. You couldn’t have guessed it from the course of the game, a happier looking Antonio Conte, who at the time was watching his team shoot for fun. Almost literally. Son’s second goal of the game curled into the top corner so exquisitely to add another entry to his personal catalog of spectacular goals.

It was a surprisingly easy win for Spurs, but one that was badly needed at a challenging time. The line-up Leicester lined up between Europa Conference semi-finals against Roma made it a little easier, it has to be said. Arsenal can have few complaints there, however, as West Ham United lined up a similar side for their later game.

However, the effect was visible when the opening goal was scored.

While Spurs had undeniably gained in terms of momentum, it might have been that opening goal could have been inevitable by just standing there. Kane was granted freedom of the six-yard box by Daniel Amartey. Not only did he shoot at goal, he was allowed to bend down to head the ball. It was so easy, especially for a team that has been struggling to attack lately.

This isn’t a new frustration with Leicester, mind you, and the first-team changes would mean more and more gaps. No wonder there was even less communication in defence.

What should be encouraging about Rodgers’ team is that they still maintain the same attacking dynamic. They’re always entertaining and arguably deserved the lead before Spurs scored. In truth, it probably wasn’t a 3-1 game, but that’s the difference that top players make. Patson Daka had forced Hugo Lloris to make an excellent save when the keeper touched the ball against the post and their changes and moves kept creating openings.

Spurs don’t have that kind of collective attacking cohesion under Conte yet, but they do have two of the Premier League’s best players. This connection between Son and Kane is able to enhance even the dreary portrayal.

One of the game’s early moments was a glorious one-touch pass from forward Kane, opening his body to open up a scoring route for Son.

Their ability to push forward is also now bolstered by a player who has emerged as one of the best defenders in the league. Romero’s performance was one of those classic performances where a centre-back’s job of protecting his team is so aggressive and proactive that it actually ends up pushing everyone else forward.

There couldn’t be a better example of this than this supreme challenge on Caglar Soyuncu on the hour.

It was all the more impressive because it was a double challenge with triple impact. It stopped a Leicester counter while setting up Spurs while also changing the emotional tone of the moment. The ball was passed to Son, who then switched feet to finish gracefully.

The tackle was reminiscent of a player who had truly blossomed into one of the Premier League’s great defenders and his transformative moment. Nemanja Vidic had been a bit uncertain when he signed for Manchester United in January 2006 until everything changed when Wayne Rooney scored on goal with a similarly powerful slide attack against Arsenal.

Romero had a better start to his Premier League career than Vidic but that was perhaps a moment that defined who he became.

He’s a rock and clearly revels under Conte.

Meanwhile, Son continues to rise. So do some of his shots.

The Korean ended the game by adding a long list of spectacular goals, so many of which were special in different ways. This was a glorious curl effort with his left margin sneaking into the distance with a divine late curl.

It was all so indulgent and expressive from Spurs at what was meant to be a challenging time of the season. Kelechi Iheanacho’s late goal didn’t seem to matter. Spurs should be optimistic their goal difference will still remain healthier than Arsenal’s if it comes to that.

This is again thanks to her double pack.