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

Out of the Lancashire gloom, two gleaming bolts of pure gold erupted from Heung-min Son’s boots and Tottenham negotiated that tricky Cup tie in Preston without Harry Kane having to shed his winter woolen gear.

Son struck twice within 20 minutes of the second half, the first a glorious strike from 30 yards to illuminate an otherwise ordinary affair and the second from close range to end their hosts’ Championship hopes.

New signing Arnaut Danjuma, who turned down a loan from Everton from Villarreal, came off the bench to add a third place on his debut and Spurs progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Son Heung-min’s curling shot set Antonio Conte’s Spurs on course to defeat champions club Preston

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

They are still chasing their first major title since 2008, which will have been some relief for Antonio Conte as he made the journey back south after taking the calculated risk of resting many of his first regulars.

Conte’s gamble included seven substitutions, including Kane, who has been battling a fever since scoring the game’s only goal in Fulham on Monday and has missed two days of training.

Kane doesn’t like to sit and watch. Up to this point in the season he has started all 29 games in all competitions for his club. And all seven England games. Since the World Cup break, he has been the difference for Tottenham.

However, he left that to others, as did Hugo Lloris and centre-back Cristian Romero, both of whom reached the World Cup final last month, taking a breather. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier rested on the bench.

Son threatened Preston’s net during a goalless first half before boasting his two goals in the second half

Conte took a chance making seven changes on his side but his Spurs unseated Preston on the first try

Richarlison is injured again although nothing serious according to Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini who said it was a minor adductor strain which should be fine in a matter of days so Ivan Perisic led the line down the middle and Davinson Sanchez led the team out.

The home crowd were no doubt encouraged by Conte’s selection. Ryan Lowe’s side soon found themselves deep in defence, however, with full-backs pushed into a back five and working hard to stay in contention as the Premier League side took control in a confident opening, playing around skillful passes and Son and Dejan Kulusevski came far forward on the ball, but without breaking through the white jerseys and creating clear chances.

An early shot from Kulusevski was deflected wide after a Perisic free-kick was blocked and sent into the box. Son tested Freddie Woodman twice from distance in the first half-hour and Kulusevski fired over the goal after a corner practice.

Preston proved strong enough to weather the early pressure and grew into the tie, occasionally making forays from his 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.

Preston boss Ryan Lowe scored Son’s goal that broke the impasse of “a world-class finish from a world-class player”.

The gap in quality was evident when Son broke the deadlock just after the break, collecting a pass from Japhet Tanganga and unleashing a sweet punch that was shaped beyond Woodman’s dive from 30 yards.

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

“A world-class finish from a world-class player,” said Preston boss Lowe. “I’m incredibly proud. The first half was perfect. The game plan was to keep them in check and I can take a lot from that, but we’re dealing with quality players.’

Arnaut Danjuma late scored a third-place finish for Spurs to seal their path to the fifth round of the FA Cup next month

Once he was behind, Preston ventured forward more purposefully. Threatening to cause problems for visitors, they looked more comfortable that way, although of course more vulnerable, and were taken apart when holes appeared at the back.

Son grabbed his second, spinning past Jordan Storey as he collected a pass from Perisic and adding a clinical finish. It effectively ended the competition.

Conte made other changes, sending Danjuma to centre-forward while Perisic returned to full-back. The newcomer marked his debut with a goal in the 87th minute, swept in after a low cross from Kulusevski. “A good start for him,” Stellini said. “We have to find this guy. He can play for us in many positions up front.”

Son walked away late in the game to an ovation from away fans. Kane could stay wrapped up.

As Spurs advanced to the next round, Harry Kane was able to keep warm on the bench