Son relishes 50-goal feeling after Villa drama

Heung-Min Son had two words to say after eclipsing a half-century of Premier League goals: “Thank you!”

The dynamic forward struck his 50th goal in the top flight of English football to put us 2-1 up in first-half stoppage time during Sunday’s enthralling win at Aston Villa, reacting quickest to convert the loose ball after experienced goalkeeper Pepe Reina had saved his initial penalty.

That came after Toby Alderweireld had made amends for his earlier own goal by lashing home a superb equaliser in our first match back following the winter break.

But Sonny’s story wasn’t finished there! Following Bjorn Engels’ equaliser for Villa, we hammered on the door in search of a third goal, Sonny himself being denied by Reina on more than one occasion. It just wouldn’t go in.

Then, finally, in the 94th minute of the game, an opening. Engels missed Davinson Sanchez’s long ball forward, allowing Son to race through on goal and stroke home number 51 from the left angle, finally getting the better of Reina as he snatched a 3-2 victory for us in the most dramatic of circumstances.

“I’ve scored 50 Premier League goals but without the team, without the supporters, it’s impossible,” smiled the 27-year-old in the tunnel after the game.

“I just want to share this feeling with the fans, everyone in South Korea and with the lads… I just want to say thank you for helping me.”

Milestone aside, how did Sonny reflect on our rip-roaring encounter at Villa Park?

“It’s really amazing! Winning is always positive but especially that way, how we won, 2-2, last seconds, a better afternoon is impossible,” he said. “The lads did a really good job and I’m very proud and happy for Toby as well.

“We were 1-0 down, we didn’t start too well, but we bounced back with Toby’s goal and got to 2-1 up. It’s a great feeling. We didn’t give up. I feel bad because I had a couple of chances to score the third goal, the keeper made some good saves but luckily, I scored the last goal and I thought the lads deserved the win. In a few games we’ve changed the game, we’ve bounced back when we were 1-0 down or even 2-0 down and this shows really good character from our squad.”