A RED-HOT SON

Skipper's double earns Spurs vital win

- By Alan Smith

TOTTENHAM'S injury-ravaged squad remain on course for the Europa League last 16.

But after a dominant start in which they were 2-0 up in Hoffenheim after 22 minutes, Ange Postecoglou's exhausted team were made to sweat.

Heung-min Son settled their nerves as they flirted with another horror result but even then Hoffenheim hit back to set up a big finish.

A side three points above the Bundesliga drop zone were welcoming hosts.

They allowed Spurs to do early damage through James Maddison and Son, but, with 14 players out and a bench that could not be fully filled, the overworked visitors allowed Anton Stach to pull one back.

As Hoffenheim looked good for a leveller, Son smashed home to restore the buffer.