Nuno Espirito Santo hails versatility of 'amazing' Son Heung-min

Tottenham manager Nuno Espírito Santo lavished praise on Son Heung-min after his goal secured a 1-0 win over champions Manchester City in their opening game of the Premier League season. 

After a shaky start Spurs managed the game well and dealt a killer blow through Son Heung-min just after half time. The game was Nuno’s first in charge of Tottenham since taking over from interim boss Ryan Mason in the summer.

The win extended Spurs’ recent good record against Pep Guardiola’s side with City still yet to score at their opponent's new stadium. 

Speaking after full time, Nuno addressed several topics - including Japhet Tanganga's performance, the importance of Son and how he can improve, as well as the future of Harry Kane.

On Spurs’ performance

"That was the idea - going beyond your limits, and I think everybody saw this today. The boys go beyond... the fight, the discipline, the way they commit themselves was very good. This is what we have to do every day of our lives," he told the club’s website.

"I’m very happy with all the team, honestly, because of the way we are working. We are trying to create a unit, and everybody has to be engaged, everybody has to be committed. 

"Of course, when the players play, they get the recognition of everybody, but there is much more behind the scenes, the commitment, and we are in the process, we have to keep working hard."

On Son Heung-min 

"Sonny and the talent he has is amazing. I truly believe that he is versatile enough to play and develop the tasks in all the positions at the front. He's dynamic, has speed and he knows the game.

"Like I said before, Sonny is in the moment where he knows and he can find the gaps, the spaces and he's a killer, a killer. He did ok but I still believe that even in the first half he had actions that he will do better for sure in the future."

On Japhet Tanganga & Oliver Skipp

"They [Japhet and Oliver] did well," he told Sky Sports (via the Express). "When they started the season they were in the processes of recovering from injury but they had a good foundation in terms of fitness and physicality with the work they did with sports science.

"When they started the season they were in the processes of recovering from injury but they had a good foundation in terms of fitness and physicality with the work they did with sports science.

"I think they were able to keep on growing and we can see they are fit and stronger and faster. All the team did very well but Japhet was huge today. He faced too many one-v-ones today against fantastic players and he dealt fantastic with the situation."

On Harry Kane

"Harry, Like Bryan [Gil], Cristian Romero, they joined us later. For Cristian and Bryan it was very important to be here today.

"To feel the atmosphere and be in the stadium and be in the hotel, attending the meeting, but knowing they don't have too many sessions with us. Harry worked this morning, he is preparing himself and when he is ready he will join the group and help the team.

He added: "Harry Kane is one of the best players in the world, honestly. We are very lucky to have him. He has to get ready and help the team. We still have to go to Portugal then we think about Wolves."

On the return of fans

"We still have a long way to go to be perfect and probably we will never achieve it, but I'm really proud of the way the players worked and really thankful for the support of the fans.

"It was huge the way they helped the team until the final minute, helping the boys, and we are very thankful for it."