Tottenham 1-0 Watford: Player ratings as Son free kick sends Spurs top

Son Heung-min's free kick helped Tottenham to their third consecutive 1-0 win in the Premier League as they held on to beat Watford in north London on Sunday.

The South Korean's set piece from out wide curled into the far corner without a touch for the game's only goal.

Spurs dominated possession in the first half but their lack of creativity caused them problems as Watford sat in and tried to frustrate their hosts, looking to hit them on the counter attack with the pace of Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis.

Son's goal just before half-time put Tottenham 1-0 up and while they continued to have more of the ball, a second strike eluded them with Dele Alli and Harry Kane both going close. Watford looked most dangerous through Sarr and Dennis, but their best chance fell to Moussa Sissoko, who blazed over when well placed.

While not at their fluent best, Spurs are now first with three clean sheets, while Watford are 12th.

Check out the player ratings below.

TOTTENHAM PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Hugo Lloris (GK) - 6/10 - Had very little to do. Claimed a few crosses and made some routine saves.

Japhet Tanganga (RB) - 7/10 - A strong and robust figure on Tottenham's right. Put in a few dangerous deliveries and generally got the better of Dennis.

Davinson Sanchez (CB) - 7/10 - Another more assured performance from Sanchez. He and Dier weren't put under as much pressure as they were last week at Wolves but they did all that was required of them. Got in a great block to deny Sarr.

Eric Dier (CB) - 7/10 - Few sketchy moments when communication with Sanchez looked non-existent. Nonetheless, has looked much more assured in the first three games of this term than at any point last season.

Sergio Reguilon (LB) - 6/10 - Got roasted a few times by Sarr, though those instances became fewer and further between as the game wore on.

2. Midfielders

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) - 7/10 - A pretty typical Hojbjerg display, seeing plenty of the ball and making interceptions. A deflected free kick nearly found the bottom corner.

Oliver Skipp (CM) - 6/10 - When Hojbjerg was making tackles, Skipp was there to mop up the loose ball. Probably wasn't enough creativity from the pair but they provide a strong base in midfield.

Dele Alli (AM) - 6/10 - Played a little further forward than he has in the first two league games. Should have hit the target from Kane's pass but saw his shot drift wide.

3. Forwards

Son Heung-min (RW) - 8/10 - A somewhat fortuitous goal saw Son's free kick drift all the way in past Bachmann. Looked the most lively of Tottenham's attackers, though he couldn't always work the space for a shot.

Harry Kane (ST) - 6/10 - Had a penalty appeal waved away in the first minute. Dropped deep and made some nice passes and eventually got some shots away towards the end of the game, going close with one.

Steven Bergwijn (LW) - 8/10 - Buzzed around on the left but didn't show too much inventiveness. Was fouled for the free kick Son scored. Subbed for Lucas Moura just after the hour mark.

4. Substitutes

Lucas Moura (LW) - 7/10 - A great run almost set Kane up for a tap in, but a good clearance at the back post denied Tottenham a second. Helped Spurs run down the clock with some elusive running.

Bryan Gil (RW) - N/A

WATFORD PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Daniel Bachmann (GK) - 4/10 - Made some horrendous clearances during the first half and his indecisiveness saw Son's free kick curl all the way into the far corner.

Craig Cathcart (RB) - 6/10 - Has scored against Spurs in the past so the home fans were probably relieved to see the Northern Irishman go off with an injury. Had done well up until that point.

William Troost-Ekong (CB) -5 /10 - Didn't put a foot wrong with the ball at his feet, completing 100% of his passes. Didn't win anything in the air, though.

Francisco Sierralta (CB) - 5/10 - Similarly to Troost-Ekong, used the ball well. Kept Spurs at bay for long periods.

Adam Masina (LB) - 6/10 - A stout presence on Watford's left. Pretty competent throughout, though did get burned on the outside by Lucas as Spurs pressed for a second.

6. Midfielders

Peter Etebo (DM) - 6/10 - A calm and composed showing in front of defence, stifling Tottenham's creativity for much of the afternoon.

Moussa Sissoko (CM) - 6/10 - An instant return to Tottenham following his transfer on Friday. Brought physicality into the midfield but also sent a shot rocketing into row Z when well placed on the edge of the box.

Juraj Kucka (CM) - 5/10 - Hardworking in the middle of the park and had a few opportunities going forward, but couldn't make anything of them.

7. Forwards

Ismaila Sarr (RW) - 7/10 - Gave Reguilon a tough time down Watford's right, making some mazy runs and testing Lloris on occasion.

Josh King (ST) - 5/10 - Had 21 touches of the ball and didn't get any shots away. Subbed off after the hour mark.

Emmanuel Dennis (LW) - 6/10 - Some nice dribbling on the left from Dennis. Had a decent chance but scuffed his effort.

8. Substitutes

Jeremy Ngakia (RB) - 5/10

Cucho Hernandez (LW) - 5/10

Tom Cleverley (CM) - 5/10

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