Preston 0-3 Tottenham: Son Heung-min’s two goals and Danjuma’s late strike guide Spurs through

Out of Lancashire’s gloom came two gleaming bolts of pure gold from the boots of Heung-min Son and Tottenham negotiated this tricky cup-tie at Preston without the need for Harry Kane to remove his winter woollies.

Son struck twice inside 20 second half minutes, the first a delightful strike from 30 yards to light up an otherwise ordinary affair and the second on the turn from closer range to end the hopes of their Championship hosts.

New signing Arnaut Danjuma, who rejected Everton to sign on loan from Villarreal, came off the bench to add a third on his debut and Spurs eased into the FA Cup fifth round.

Son Heung-min’s curling shot started Antonio Conte’s Spurs on their way to seeing off Championship side Preston

Preston fans got into the FA Cup spirit as they welcomed high-flying Tottenham Hotspur to Deepdale

Conte’s gamble involved seven changes, including Kane who has been battling a fever all week since scoring the only goal of the game at Fulham on Monday.

Kane had started all 29 games across all competitions for his club, this season, and all seven England games. He has been the difference for Tottenham since the World Cup break.

Spurs captain Hugo Lloris and centre-half Cristian Romero, who both made it to the World Cup final last month, took a breather. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier rested on the bench.

With Richarlison injured again, Ivan Perisic led the line through the centre and Davinson Sanchez led the team out and the home crowd were undoubtedly encouraged by Conte’s selection.

Son was threatening Preston’s net during a goalless first half, before coming up with his second-half duo

Conte took a risk making seven changes to his side, but his Spurs saw off Preston at the first attempt

Ryan Lowe’s team soon found themselves deep in defence, however, with wing-backs pushed into a back-five, working hard to stay in the contest as the Premier League team seized control in a confident opening, slicking passes around and getting wide forwards Son and Dejan Kulusevski on the ball, albeit without breaking through the white shirts and creating clear chances.

An early effort from Kulusevski was deflected wide after a free-kick by Perisic had been blocked and spilled down into the penalty area. Son twice tested Freddie Woodman from distance in the opening half hour and Kulusevski fired over from a corner routine.

Preston proved strong enough to survive the early pressure and grew into the tie, making occasional forays out of their own half and offering some threat from set-pieces. Spurs threw bodies in the way as they defended a free kick, in the first half, blocking shots from Andrew Hughes and Tom Cannon.

The gap in quality became clear once Son broke the deadlock soon after the interval, collecting a pass from Japhet Tanganga and before unleashing a sweet strike, shaped beyond the dive of Woodman from 30 yards.

It was his seventh goal in all competitions in what has been a disappointing season for the South Korea international, who won the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season, and it uncorked the cup tie.

Preston ventured forward with more purpose and threatened to cause problems for the visitors. They looked more comfortable playing this way although, naturally, more vulnerable and were taken apart as holes appeared at the back.

Son claimed his second, spinning past Jordan Storey as he collected a pass by Perisic, and added a clinical finish.

Conte made more changes and Danjuma came on to play centre-forward, with Perisic reverting to wing-back, and scored in the 87th minute. Son went off to an ovation from the away fans late in the game. Kane was able to stay wrapped up.

Ryan Lowe’s Preston held out Spurs for 50 minutes before the South Korean’s brace ended their FA Cup dream

Arnaut Danjuma slotted home a third for Spurs late on to seal their path to the FA Cup fifth round next month