Tottenham overcome a ‘different challenge’ on way to extending Premier League lead

It was solely on Monday night time when Ange Postecoglou declared that Tottenham had performed their “worst 45 minutes of the season”, however by Friday there was maybe a direct contender to surpass it. Frustrated by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and with out a shot on goal, Tottenham went into the break with a downside to resolve. But, by the top, as Spurs picked and probed after which discovered a way by means of, the struggles of the primary half had been a distant reminiscence. After all, Tottenham at the moment are 5 factors clear on the high of the Premier League.

A fourth consecutive victory got here courtesy of a Joel Ward personal objective and an eighth of the season from Son Heung-min and, finally, it felt completely deserved. Against a deep and disciplined Palace defence, Tottenham required persistence however Postecoglou’s workforce caught to their plan. Even with discuss of Spurs rising as title contenders, they saved the calm heads required to discover the breakthrough. When the hosts lastly provided one thing of their very own after Jordan Ayew’s glorious volley within the the 94th minute, Tottenham had been ready to see out a nervy finish as properly.

How the Spurs followers within the nook of Selhurst Park would have soaked within the scenes that adopted, as Postecoglou and his gamers applauded the travelling supporters after extending the membership’s finest begin to a league marketing campaign since 1960-61. It has been a dream first two months of the season and Tottenham have taken benefit of what has been in entrance of them: specifically a beneficial fixture record and the absence of European fixtures. Here, that was added to by a meek efficiency from the Eagles and a calamity from Ward. But, one way or one other, it has all mixed to go away Tottenham 5 factors clear.

“Tonight was always going to be difficult but I liked how the players handled it,” Postecoglou mentioned. “They were patient, persistent in finding the gaps. It was a different challenge for us tonight and I Iiked how we went about it.”

It took till the 53rd minute, however Tottenham finally discovered a way by means of Palace, even because the guests took the lead earlier than managing to have a shot on goal. It got here thanks to a disastrous second from the Palace captain, as Ward was caught on the again put up and awkwardly diverted James Maddison’s cross into his personal web. The supply of the breakthrough, although, didn’t come as a shock. Rather, as Postecoglou mentioned later, it got here by means of self-discipline and belief within the Australian’s strategy.

All recreation, Tottenham had regarded to play across the sides of Roy Hodgson’s cussed and compact defensive form, making an attempt to create overloads to break Palace down. Maddison drifted extensive to mix with Richarlison on the left, nevertheless it was the bursts of Pape Matar Sarr and the guile of Dejan Kulusevski that appeared extra threatening on the suitable. Eventually, as Pedro Porro slipped Sarr by means of and it broke to Maddison, Ward offered the of entirety to the fizzed supply throughout the face of objective.

Tottenham’s second got here by way of the identical route, even when the finisher was extra acquainted. Son added one other first-time end to his assortment this season as Spurs once more took to the edges to reduce Palace aside. After Sarr’s swap, Maddison’s fast two touches launched the overlapping Brennan Johnson – who had changed Richarlison moments earlier than. Johnson took a second earlier than pulling the cross again to Son and the Spurs captain, now with eight Premier League objectives this season, was usually scientific along with his left foot.

And so, after a first half the place Tottenham struggled to create any clear openings, the three factors felt secured throughout the house of 11 second-half minutes. Palace provided little or no after going behind, Hodgson’s aspect refusing to open up or press Tottenham to the rising anger of the house supporters. Even although Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario additional enhanced his fame as maybe the standout goalkeeper within the Premier League this season with two early stops, first denying Jordan Ayew after which Odsonne Edouard, Palace’s finest probability with out both Eberechi Eze or Michael Olise appeared to be holding out for 0-0.

There was nothing stunning about Palace’s strategy from kick-off nevertheless it did sufficient to briefly halt Tottenham’s momentum beneath the Friday night time lights of Selhurst Park. Hodgson’s aspect, and a defence that shipped 4 objectives away to Newcastle final weekend, had been arrange to be awkward and troublesome in opposition to the leaders, a signal maybe of the power Tottenham have already turn into beneath Postecoglou.

At first, Tottenham struggled to open up the gaps and it mentioned a lot concerning the rising significance of left-back Destiny Udogie. Ruled out due to harm, the spectacular 20-year-old left a void that Ben Davies by no means regarded snug attempting to fill. Udgoie has been a revelation on this contemporary Spurs aspect by impressing within the half left-back, half quantity 10 position that Postecoglou calls for. Even with out the Italian, Postecoglou didn’t compromise his strategy as Davies stepped in, however the 30-year-old regarded misplaced as he regarded to drift forward of Maddison when Spurs had been in possession.

Davies’s first begin of the Premier League season lasted all of 47 minutes, changed by Emerson Royal at half-time. Postecoglou wanted a solution and the introduction of Johnson on the wing introduced an enchancment on Richarlison, who continues to look wanting confidence when in attacking positions. If Richarlison and Maddison by no means fairly regarded in sync, that modified with the arrival of the Welshman. While Tottenham’s opening objective was fortuitous, the second was sharp and introduced a uncommon second of sophistication to the competition.

It was significantly greater than the little Palace had been ready to muster, till Ayew lashed in a superb volley within the 94th minute: by the point the objective was finally awarded after a VAR verify for handball, it gave Tottenham 5 extra minutes to see out. Palace did have one final probability after a cross to the again put up fell to Matheus Franca within the field. But the substitute sliced the possibility extensive and excessive, Spurs breathed a sigh of aid and within the nook, the celebration lastly may start.