Son Heung-min and Fernando Llorente scored in the last 10 minutes to spare Tottenham Hotspur's blushes, securing a 2-1 win over Watford on Wednesday.
Mauricio Pochettino's injury-hit side looked to be heading for a third successive home defeat in the Premier League after Craig Cathcart's first-half goal, but Son – back from Asian Cup duty – levelled late on and then Llorente made amends after wasting several presentable chances earlier in the match.
Straight back into the team after his period of absence, Son was the first to go close early on, but Watford grew into the contest and went ahead just before the break through Cathcart's scrappy goal.
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The wastefulness of Llorente – starting in place of the injured Harry Kane – looked as though it was going to cost Tottenham Hotspur, but Son restored parity and then the Spanish striker completed the turnaround on a dramatic night at Wembley.
Son looked sharp early on and almost opened the scoring in the ninth minute, his 25-yard strike agonisingly missing the top-left corner.
Hugo Lloris did not cover himself in glory in the 38th minute, however, as his positioning was way off at a corner and Cathcart bundled home to beat the stranded Frenchman.
Llorente was guilty of an inexplicable miss at the start of the second half, seeing his initial close-range shot saved, before somehow kneeing the rebound over from about three yards.
Daryl Janmaat almost turned an Christian Eriksen free-kick into his own goal just past the hour, as Ben Foster made a crucial save, before Llorente then headed wide from close in as Toby Alderweireld chipped the ball back into the danger zone.
Tottenham's luck changed in the 80th minute, however, as Llorente nudged the ball on to Son in the area and the South Korean finished emphatically past Foster.
Llorente then finally found his mark three minutes from the end, sending a looping header in from Danny Rose's cross.
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It is amazing how much can change in a few minutes. When they were staring at defeat, Spurs were going to be staying just four points above Chelsea and Arsenal. However, with the late turnaround, the side now finds itself only two adrift of second-placed City and seven clear of the two clubs behind it. Given the other results this matchday, this could be a potentially crucial moment in Tottenham's season.
Rose a thorn in Watford's side
While it was certainly not a vintage display from Spurs, Rose did catch the eye on the left flank. The full-back got forward constantly, making himself a real outlet, and his cross ultimately provided the winning goal
Lloris bailed out
Had it not been for Spurs' late goals, plenty would have pointed the finger at Lloris. His poor position was vital for the Watford goal – luckily for him it did not cost Pochettino's men.
Key Opta facts
- Tottenham (54 points) has at least four more points after 24 Premier League games than it has ever had at this stage of the competition, last recording as many at this stage in the top-flight during its title winning season back in 1960-61 (65 points – 3/pts for a win).
- Only against Arsenal (9) and Manchester United (10) has Watford lost more Premier League games against than it has against Spurs (8).
- Watford has now lost four straight matches at Wembley Stadium, only Brentford (5), Shrewsbury Town (5) and Newcastle United (7) are on longer current such losing runs than the Hornets.
What's next?
Spurs are at home again on Saturday, as Newcastle United visits Wembley. Watford travels to Brighton and Hove Albion the same day.
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