- Tottenham Hotspur visited Crystal Palace in a Friday night Premier League clash
- Spurs, yet to lose a league match this season, were keen to extend their lead at the top of the table
- A Palace own goal and another from Son Heung-Min sealed a 2-1 victory for Spurs
Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur overcame a sluggish start to secure a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace, expanding their lead at the summit to a comfortable five points. In the early stages at Selhurst Park, Ange Postecoglou’s team faced a tough challenge but demonstrated a remarkable resurgence in the second half, ultimately seizing control of the game.
Their first goal arrived in the 53rd minute when Joel Ward inadvertently directed the ball into his own net following a precise cross from James Maddison. The captain, Son Heung-min, further solidified Tottenham’s dominance with a close-range finish, marking his eighth goal of the season and cementing their unbeaten start to the league campaign.
Postecoglou made tactical alterations, with Ben Davies stepping in for the absent left-back, Destiny Udogie, and Yves Bissouma returning to the starting lineup after serving a one-match suspension. Despite their esteemed status, Tottenham struggled to find their rhythm initially, facing an assertive Palace side keen on redemption following their recent 4-0 defeat to Newcastle.
Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate after Son Heung-Min scored their second against Crystal Palace in a Premier League clash. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |
Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham’s goalkeeper, was called into action early on, denying Jordan Ayew’s low effort and showcasing agility to thwart Odsonne Edouard’s swift attempt.
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The first half remained a stop-start affair, benefiting Palace, who managed to earn a series of corners towards the end of the period. Nonetheless, Tottenham managed to enter halftime on level terms, despite the dissatisfaction that surely lingered within Postecoglou, particularly given their lackluster performance despite dominating possession.
With the manager’s instructions likely echoing in their ears, Tottenham entered the second half with renewed determination, as evidenced by the substitution of Emerson Royal for Davies.
Despite their initial struggles to test the Palace goal, Tottenham eventually broke the deadlock through a well-orchestrated play on their right flank. Pedro Porro initiated the move, delivering the ball to Pape Sarr, whose cut-back found its way to Maddison, whose powerful strike ricocheted off Ward and into the net.
While Palace undoubtedly felt the sting of this unfortunate turn of events, they responded immediately, with Edouard’s deflected shot and Marc Guehi’s subsequent missed header indicating their persistence. Postecoglou’s swift tactical adjustments, introducing Brennan Johnson and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, paid off almost instantly as Johnson contributed to the build-up that led to Son’s clinical finish from close range in the 66th minute.
Wary of a potential repeat of their recent lapse in focus, Tottenham introduced Rodrigo Bentancur, who made his long-awaited return after recovering from a knee injury. Despite the fans’ enthusiastic response to Bentancur’s comeback, the closing moments of the game were marked by tension as Palace’s Ayew managed to reduce the deficit in stoppage time, prompting a nervous finish.
Palace pushed for an equalizer, forcing several set-pieces and chances, but ultimately, it was Tottenham who celebrated their fourth consecutive victory, with substitute Matheus Franca’s late miss solidifying their triumph.
Despite the nerve-wracking conclusion, the result only served to amplify the growing optimism within the ranks of Postecoglou’s resurgent Tottenham side.
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