Premier League leaders Tottenham recovered from a sluggish first half to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace and extend their lead at the summit to 5 factors.
Ange Postecoglou’s facet discovered life powerful at Selhurst Park initially, however moved by the gears within the second interval and went forward when Joel Ward put by his personal internet within the 53rd minute following James Maddison’s centre.
Captain Son Heung-min made the factors secure 13 minutes later with a close-range end for his eighth aim this season to make sure high-flying Spurs prolonged their unbeaten top-flight begin to 10 matches.
Jordan Ayew struck late on for Palace, however victory moved Tottenham 5 factors clear of Manchester City, who go to rivals Manchester United on Sunday, and whereas that hole is unlikely to stay come the tip of the weekend, this newest take a look at handed by Postecoglou’s new-look group will solely improve the optimism rising in N17.
The Australian made two adjustments from Monday evening with left-back Destiny Udogie unavailable because of muscle tightness, which resulted in Ben Davies making his first league begin this time period, whereas Yves Bissouma returned to the beginning line-up following his one-match ban.
Spurs have been poor in the course of the opening exchanges towards a Palace facet keen to reply to their 4-0 thrashing at Newcastle with Guglielmo Vicario twice referred to as into motion early on.
Vicario first denied Ayew’s low effort within the sixth-minute earlier than he produced a wise save to thwart the snapshot of Odsonne Edouard, who was main the road for the hosts.
Hodgson would have been happy with the response to Palace’s thrashing within the North East after Will Hughes and Joel Ward snapped into tackles with Micky van de Ven and Maddison.
Maddison’s affect had been restricted, however he sliced a tricky half-volley probability into the Holmesdale Stand earlier than Richarlison dragged huge from exterior the realm.
The opening half an hour in south London had been stop-start, which suited Palace who compelled 4 corners in a row in direction of the tip of the primary 45, however Tottenham survived to stroll off at half-time stage.
Postecoglou had lambasted the second half displaying towards Fulham and would have been equally pissed off with this show after Spurs didn’t have a shot on track regardless of greater than 70 per cent possession.
He reacted with Emerson Royal launched for Davies and whereas the guests’ watch for a primary shot on track continued, they nonetheless managed to interrupt the impasse within the 53rd minute.
Tottenham’s aim got here from their proper facet with Pedro Porro taking part in in Pape Sarr, who reduce for Maddison and his smashed effort throughout aim bounced off Ward and into the Palace internet.
It was powerful on Palace however Hodgson’s facet instantly looked for an equaliser and Edouard had a shot deflected over by Cristian Romero.
Marc Guehi headed huge from the ensuing nook earlier than Postecoglou made additional adjustments with Brennan Johnson and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg introduced on.
Johnson wanted barely two minutes to make his mark with a primary help for the membership since a £45million deadline day transfer from Nottingham Forest.
The substitute began the transfer with a cushioned header into Maddison, who handed again into Johnson and he well recycled the ball to Son and the Spurs captain rifled house from close-range within the 66th minute.
After Tottenham switched off at 2-0 up towards Fulham, there was little probability of a repeat and Postecoglou despatched on Rodrigo Bentancur for his first look since he suffered anterior cruciate ligament harm to his left knee in February.
Bentancur’s arrival on the pitch was met with large cheers by the away followers, however the travelling assist endured a nervy finale.
Ayew diminished the deficit 4 minutes into stoppage time when he managed Joachim Anderson’s cross and fired past Vicario, which was finally awarded after a prolonged VAR verify.
Palace pushed for a last-gasp leveller and compelled a number of set-pieces earlier than substitute Matheus Franca sliced huge below stress from Porro to substantiate a fourth consecutive win for leaders Spurs.
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