Richarlison is coming to boil nicely but needs to be more ruthless in Son's absence

FIVE goals in as many festive fixtures for Richarlison suggests Tottenham's endearing but often-frustrating striker is coming to the boil at just the right time, with Heung-min Son now away for up to six weeks at the Asian Cup.

- Dan Kilpatrick

In the New Year's Eve win over Bournemouth, Richarlison's first-time finish was a carbon copy of his goal against Everton, and he scored a deft header at Nottingham Forest as well as his first Spurs goals with his feet in the thrashing of Newcastle.

Going into tomorrow night's FA Cup third-round tie against Burnley, the Brazilian has six goals and three assists in 12 League starts this season - not bad going for a player who was struggling with his movement from the start of the campaign and had surgery on a niggling pelvic issue in November.

And yet, as Richarlison prepares to be Spurs's undisputed leading man in attack for the first time since a £60million move from Everton, doubts about his class and long-term suitability for Ange Postecoglou's project still linger.

The only game Richarlison did not score in over the festive period was Spurs's 4-2 defeat at Brighton on December 28 and, although the visitors got what they deserved, his wastefulness felt costly.