Tottenham 3-1 Crystal Palace: Timo Werner, Heung-min Son help ...
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Heung-Min Son completed an inspired Tottenham turnaround as they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1.
Spurs trailed after Eberechi Eze’s delightful free-kick, but struck three times in the final 13 minutes through Timo Werner and Cristian Romero before Son sealed the victory that closes the gap on the Premier League’s top four to just two points.
Back in action after a two-week break, Ange Postecoglou’s side dominated the first half with over 80% of possession and should have taken an 18th-minute lead when Werner was denied by Sam Johnstone.
However, it was Palace who broke the deadlock against the run of play just before the hour mark. They did so in spectacular fashion, too, with the returning Eze whipping a delicious 25-yard free-kick beyond Guglielmo Vicario.
Nevertheless, Spurs turned the match on its head with two goals in the space of three minutes. First, Werner tucked away Brennan Johnson’s square pass, before Romero nodded home a James Maddison cross.
Son, who hit the post earlier in the contest, put the icing on the cake two minutes from time, racing away from the Palace defence before sliding past Johnstone.
Talking Point – Spurs' win helps to maintain dominance over Palace
Despite enjoying a whopping 78% of possession, Spurs headed into the final quarter of an hour looking like they may be beaten by Palace on home soil in the Premier League for the first time since November 1997.
Their 37-match scoring streak was also under threat, but there was no stopping them once the equaliser went in.
Keeping up the pressure on the top four ahead of facing Aston Villa next week in what could be a crucial match in terms of UEFA Champions League qualification, Spurs made it nine successive Premier League wins on home soil over Palace, who they have now lost to just once in 18 meetings.
Player of the Match – Brennan Johnson
Although he only entered the action in the 63rd minute, Johnson provided the missing ingredient Tottenham had been lacking despite their domination.
Aside from scoring himself, it really was a super-sub performance from the Wales international.
For the first goal, he reaped the rewards for his resilience in chasing Andersen down and subsequently providing an incisive pass for Werner to tuck home.
Johnson’s persistence was evident again for the third goal. Pressing Palace to prevent them launching a bid for a dramatic equaliser, his intervention put Son clean through to wrap up the points.
Player Ratings
Tottenham: Vicario 7, Emerson 7, Romero 8, Van de Ven 7, Udogie 7, Bissouma 6, Bentancur 5, Kulusevski 6, Maddison 8, Werner 8, Son 8. Subs: Johnson 8, Hojbjerg 5, Sarr 5, Lo Celso N/A, Scarlett N/A.
Crystal Palace: Johnstone 7, Ward 6, Andersen 6, Richards 6, Munoz 6, Wharton 5, Lerma 5, Mitchell 7, Ayew 7, Mateta 5, Eze 8. Subs: Franca 5, Hughes 5, Edouard 5.
Match Highlights
18' - WHY DIDN'T HE SHOOT?! An instinctive through ball from Son sends Werner clear on goal. The Spurs winger accelerates away from the defence, but hesitates at the vital moment and looks to round Johnstone, who does brilliantly to block his eventual shot. That was a great opportunity for the hosts and he should have done better from it.
54' - OFF THE POST: The woodwork comes to Palace's rescue and denies Son! The Spurs skipper helps Kulusevski's low cross towards goal and is unfortunate to see the ball ricochet against Johnstone's left post.
59' - GOAL!!! TOTTENHAM 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (EZE): Palace lead and it's a marvellous free-kick from Eze! From 25 yards out and slightly to the left, the returnee picks himself up and whips a delicious delivery that flashes beyond Vicario's dive and just inside his left post. It may be against the run of play, but the Eagles will not care in the slightest.
77' - GOAL!!! TOTTENHAM 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (WERNER): The hosts are level and the relief echoes around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium! Johnson does brilliantly to dispossess Andersen and get the better of Lerma down the right flank, before putting the ball on a plate for Werner to tuck away the equaliser.
80' - GOAL!!! TOTTENHAM 2-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (ROMERO): The hosts have turned things around! Two goals in the space of three minutes put Tottenham in front. Maddison latches onto Emerson's quickly taken throw and lifts the ball into the area, where Romero beats Ward to nod past Johnstone.
88' - GOAL!!! TOTTENHAM 3-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (SON): The skipper has surely sealed all three points for the hosts! Spurs steal possession on the halfway line and the ball breaks kindly for Son, who races away from the Palace defence. He then calmly slots past the out-rushing Johnstone, who can only wave at the ball on it's way into the net.
Key Stats
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