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Former Villa Manager Ron Saunders Dies
IRISH EXAMINER | December 11th, 2019

ormer Aston Villa manager Ron The Birkenhead-born Saunders
Saunders died at the age of 87 on enjoyed a prolific career as a player, scor- Son Heung-Min Scores Wonder Goal
FSaturday. ing 200 goals combined for Everton, As Spurs Rout Burnley
Saunders is widely regarded as one of Gillingham, Portsmouth, Watford and
the club’s finest managers, in particular Charlton from 1951 through to 1967.
steering the club to the old Division One Upon retiring, Saunders immediately
title in 1980-81. went into management, initially with
As a mark of respect, black armbands Yeovil, before spells with Oxford,
were worn during Villa’s Premier Norwich and Manchester City, and then
League clash with Leicester on Sunday taking over at Villa in 1974.
The Villa statement read: “It is the sad Saunders enjoyed eight years with the
duty of Aston Villa Football Club to club prior to joining bitter rivals
announce that our former manager, Ron Birmingham, followed by 19 months at
Saunders, has passed away at the age of West Brom, concluding with his sacking
87. in 1987.
“He died earlier today, Saturday 7th He remains the only manager to have
December, at 3pm and his family have taken charge of all three Second City
asked for their privacy to be respected at clubs. C
such a difficult time.
“Widely regarded as one of the club’s
greatest ever managers, he guided Villa
to promotion in his first season in charge,
lifted two League Cups and steered the
club to a league championship in
1980/81. Son Heung-min’s wonder goal sparked Tottenham’s 5-0 Premier League
“Against Leicester City tomorrow rout of Burnley, as Harry Kane bagged a fine brace.
afternoon, the players will wear black South Korea’s hard-grafting Son scythed all the way from one box to the
armbands and, as a mark of respect, we other before lashing into the net for a goal of the highest quality at the
will be holding a period of applause to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
mark his outstanding contribution to Lucas Moura and Moussa Sissoko rounded off a commanding win for Jose
Aston Villa.” Mourinho’s men, to ease the “hurt and pain” Son admitted suffering in
Wednesday’s 2-1 reverse at Manchester United.
The ever-humble Son underscored exactly why he is such a manager’s
SSlliiggoo--NNeeww YYoorrkk GGAAAA dream when insisting “I have to be positive” amid the dejection of that Old

Trafford defeat.
DDiinnnneerr DDaannccee Because when the chance arose to atone for that midweek misery in
Manchester, Son made good on the vow to keep his head up – and then
some.
Son’s one-touch assist created the space for Kane’s fine fifth-minute open-
SSaattuurrddaayy DDeecceemmbbeerr 1144tthh
er, it was his break and shot that led to Lucas’ second; and that was even
before the coup de grace.
M Maannhhaattttaann MMaannoorr aatt RRoossiiee OO''GGrraaddyy''ss Never mind Burnley’s ineptitude, Son still had to stalk the bulk of this ful-
some field, skinning defenders at will before angling home.
201 West 52nd Street (at Seventh Avenue) Spurs boss Mourinho had already declared his “love” for Son at the start
New York, NY 10019e of this week.
Kane thundered Tottenham into a near-immediate lead that the hosts
never looked remotely like relinquishing.
H Hoonnoorreeeess
The England talisman fired a trademark 25-yard opener, wrong-footing
GGuueesstt ooff HHoonnoorr Burnley keeper Nick Pope with a minimal backlift strike into the left corner.
Son’s neat first-touch lay-off gifted Kane the space and Burnley paid the
G Geerrrryy MMccGGwwyynnee price for standing off the arch-finisher.
South Korea star Son stepped through the Burnley traffic just four min-
S Slliiggoo PPeerrssoonn ooff tthhee YYeeaarr
utes later to help Spurs double their lead. The half’s outstanding performer
D Deeccllaann HHeennrryy saw his shot rebuffed, but the quick-thinking Alli was able to hook the ball
across the area – for Moura to bundle home.
S Slliiggoo NNYY SSeenniioorr PPllaayyeerr ooff tthhee YYeeaarr Sissoko struck the post despite doing the all hard work to clip past Pope,
after another cutting canter from Son.
V Viinnnnyy CCaaddddeenn
And then Alli dallied too long in the area to let Tarkowski slide in and flick
S Slliiggoo NNYY JJuunniioorr PPllaayyeerr ooff tthhee YYeeaarr the ball off his toes for a goal-saving challenge.
Robbie Brady headed onto both crossbar and post in a rare Burnley raid,
N Niiaallll JJuuddggee but Spurs were quickly back on the front foot.
Son’s third and most destructive run on the ball saw him jink from one
2 2001199 SSeenniioorr CChhaammppiioonnsshhiipp aanndd LLeeaagguuee CChhaammppiioonnss
box all the way to the other – and then still boast the poise to slot home a
2 2001199 JJuunniioorr CChhaammppiioonnsshhiipp FFiinnaalliissttss fine finish.
Kane extended the one-way traffic after the break, checking in from the
inside left before blasting into the roof of the net.
MMuussiicc:: MMccLLeeaann AAvveennuuee BBaanndd Sissoko made up for his first-half miss when prodding home after exchang-
ing passes with Kane for Spurs’ fifth.
Tickets $125.00
This was another pleasing strike on an afternoon where Mourinho doubt-
less warmed even more to Son – and where perhaps the Spurs faithful
gaanysligo@hotmail.com
warmed that bit more to their new boss too. C