Antonio Conte reveals dressing room message to ‘special’ Son Heung-min after winning Golden Boot

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is a happy man after guiding his team to a top four finish and seeing Son Heung-win share the Golden Boot award with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

The South Korean forward came into the game just a goal behind Salah, who was on the bench for the Reds’ final game against Wolves.

For most of the game it looked as Tim Krul would stand in way of Son and his ambition of scoring on the day and getting the big award.

But things quickly changed in the second half when the Tottenham striker bagged a brace to initially pull clear of the Egyptian, before Salah responded to draw level, both finishing on 23 goals.

Prior to the game Conte had said his priority was to help Spurs finish in the top four, but finally admitted he was silently hoping that Son would also go on and get the goal that would win him the individual award.

The Tottenham manager said: “I’m very happy for Sonny and I told him this because he is such a very nice person.

“Honestly this guy is a very special guy.

“For sure, one of the best I have worked with but it also means that we did things right and made sure he was given a chance to go and do well.

“I’m so happy for him because what he has done is not easy in the Premier League and I’m so happy for the team.”

Tottenham looked like they were outsiders in the race for top four just a few weeks ago, but the derby win knocked the confidence out of Arsenal and swung the momentum to the Lillywhites.

The Gunners then lost to Newcastle with Spurs beating Burnley to seize control of the top four race.

The win against Norwich confirmed a return to Champions League football for the first time in three years.

Champions League football back at Spurs looks like it will be enough to keep both manager Antonio Conte and striker Harry Kane.

The fact that Son Heung-min, so long in the shadow of Kane, is getting individual awards, all fits into a brilliant ending to a season that had looked very worrying before Antonio Conte walked through the door.