Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou admits Son Heung-min was never going to play the full 90 as he produced a rare show of emotion as he was left fuming when he was subbed off.
The north Londoners came from behind to secure a statement win over Aston Villa, but their forward was less than impressed when he was bought off just before the hour mark as Richarlison was introduced.
With the game still in the balance Ange Postecoglou chose to bring off Son, despite Tottenham looking for a winner. Son clocked that it was his number being held up on the substitute board and was visibly stunned that his game had been cut short.
The South Korean, clearly annoyed, was embraced by Postecoglou but then appeared to swear and was visibly angry when he eventually sat down to watch the remainder of the match.
The Tottenham boss said on his decision to bring off his skipper: "He was never going to play more than that. It was around that 60 minute mark where he got fatigued last time."
Just minutes before being subbed off it was Son's cross that allowed Brennan Johnson to equalise - ruling out Morgan Rogers' opener for Aston Villa. The Tottenham captain has just returned from injury after two weeks on the sideline.
Tottenham, without Son on the pitch, didn't struggle for goals as they scored three times in the final 20 minutes to land themselves all three points. Dominic Solanke notched himself a brace with James Maddison adding the final touch with a fourth late on.
Son himself has scored three times in eight outings so far this term and has long been one of Tottenham's most prolific players, hence why the decision to bring him off with the game finely balanced will have come as a surprise.
Postecoglou said after their win: "I thought we had to match them in the first half. We conceded a goal but we made them work really hard in the first half. The thing with us is we have another two or three gears in us. Credit to the players, after a massive effort on Wednesday night physically, to do that."
He also added: "You don't fall off cliffs and climb up mountains within a week. You're going to have to bumps along the way and it's how you address them and learn from them."