Nobody heeded Mauricio Pochettino’s warning more than Heung-min Son. The Tottenham manager was surprisingly damning of his players following their Champions League defeat to Monaco, pointedly citing a lack of passion in their display.

Son bore the brunt of that criticism. Pochettino suggested that the performance improved after the interval at Wembley, by which time the South Korea international had already been hauled off, effectively making him the scapegoat for the team’s collective failure.

Standard Sport revealed on Friday that Son felt disillusioned by his treatment so far this season — specifically how the club refused to sanction a £25million move to Wolfsburg, only to then limit his first-team opportunities so far this term. But Pochettino got exactly the reaction he was hoping for against Sunderland yesterday.

Spurs had more shots (31) in a single match than any other team in the Premier League this term and Son was architect in chief. He created five chances, crossed the ball 15 times and had seven attempts on goal. His set-piece delivery was menacing throughout and, watching on from the bench, Christian Eriksen should have been taking notes on how to take corners.

Tottenham laboured to put away a Sunderland side desperately short on confidence and dynamism, but it was chiefly through Sons persistence that they eventually created enough pressure to force a breakthrough — Harry Kane finishing from close range after Papy Djilobodji’s laughable clearance presented the Tottenham striker with a gift five yards out.

It is remarkable to think a host of English clubs turned down the chance to sign Djilobodji before Chelsea paid £3m for his services in January. There must have been something sensational in that one minute of League Cup football he played at Chelsea for Sunderland to part with £8m to sign him less than seven months later.

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Son could have changed clubs too, but instead he is forcing his way into Pochettino’s plans with a mixture of work-rate and quality that left Jason Denayer — a late replacement for Patrick van Aanholt — trailing in his wake. There was no lack of passion this time.

“[Pochettino’s criticism hurt the players] but you know it is only the truth,” Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris told Standard Sport.

“He doesn’t lie to his players and it was the case after the Monaco game. In the changing room after the game, it was a bit sad and we were very disappointed. We all felt guilty but the most important thing is the way you react and yesterday was a very good signal for the manager, the club and the fans, too.

“We all agreed after the Monaco game — especially the first half — that we need to bring more energy and maybe more passion. All the lads are very passionate and love football but sometimes it doesn’t go the way you want. The most important thing is how you react. We need to carry it on.”

Son could deputise for Kane if scans confirm a lengthy absence for the England striker, but it is more likely Vincent Janssen will be set for an elongated run in the side. One moment summed up the summer signing’s starting point: as yesterday’s game neared its conclusion, Erik Lamela was well-placed for an easy route to goal but the Dutch forward shunned the pass and instead let fly with his left foot. The result was an awful effort which sailed high and wide of Jordan Pickford’s goal, instantly provoking on social media wildly premature comparisons with Roberto Soldado. Twitter can be an unforgiving place.

Tottenham’s recruitment will come under scrutiny as their squad depth is tested over the coming weeks. Injuries to Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele threatened to accelerate that process but both are said to have minor hamstring issues at worst, with the pair aiming to be available for Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Janssen is expected to have Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie against Gillingham to break his goalscoring duck before leading the line in the competitions Spurs really care about. Son should be given the night off, which constitutes individual progress in itself.

“It was important to trust in him, to give confidence to play again,” said Pochettino. “At half-time versus Monaco, we needed to supply better quality and he was out, but we’re happy with him. He’s in a very good moment.

“Last season was tough for him. He came to see me and said: ‘I need your help’. I said: ‘OK, always my door is open’ and we decide to stay. He is a quiet person, a nice person.

“But it’s true, after the Olympic Games his idea was to leave to go to Germany. One thing is what the player wants, the other is the club decision. In his mind, he would like to move, but in the end he accepted to stay and fight for his position.

“I always say to all the players: the truth is on the pitch. If you deserve to play, it’s not about names, it’s about performances.”