Son scores 4 minutes into his return, Tottenham up to 4th

Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

LONDON (AP) — Tottenham rose to fourth in the Premier League by beating West Ham 2-0 on Sunday.

Second-half goals from Emerson Royal and substitute Son Heung-min saw Spurs move ahead of top four rival Newcastle, which has played one game less.

Newcastle’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool a day earlier gave Antonio Conte’s side the chance to take the advantage in the race for Champions League qualification.

Son delivered the perfect response to being dropped after a poor run of form by coming off the bench at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to seal the win in the absence of Conte, who remains in Italy after gallbladder surgery.

The loss for West Ham ended the relegation-fighting team’s three-match unbeaten run in the league and left it in 18th place.

Tottenham's Emerson Royal celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Tottenham opened the scoring in the 56th minute when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg unlocked the West Ham defense with a ball for Ben Davies, who cut inside and teed up fellow wing back Emerson to slot home from 14 meters.

Emerson, who had been booed in last month’s loss to Aston Villa, continued his resurgence with a second goal in five league games.

Spurs assistant Cristian Stellini introduced Son in the 68th and he needed just four minutes to make his mark.

Harry Kane played into the path of Son, who took the ball in his stride and slotted beyond Lucasz Fabianski to score for the eighth time against West Ham.