Mounting what was a thrilling comeback on Saturday afternoon, Tottenham clinched a late 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
Left frustrated on either side of the half-time break and failing to find any kind of fluidity in the final third, fans in north London were left stunned as Eberechi Eze produced a sublime free-kick just before the hour mark.
However, while the Eagles might have been minutes away from securing a first away victory against Tottenham since February 2016, Ange Postecoglou’s men mounted a dramatic comeback on home soil.
With ex-Chelsea striker Timo Werner notching his first Spurs goal after tapping home from close range in the 77th minute, the floodgates quickly opened as Christian Romero and Heung-Min Son completed a late charge in the capital.
Simply looking to keep within touching distance of the top-four chase, Tottenham have now won all of their previous eight straight home fixtures against Crystal Palace.
On an afternoon when Spurs produced a dramatic late comeback, we have taken a look at the key talking points from north London.
Tottenham extend on their top-four charge
Last seen on February 17th suffering a shock 2-1 loss at home against Wolves, Postecoglou had made it abundantly clear that he was calling on an immediate response here.
Although Spurs might have been minutes away from what would have been another hugely frustrating afternoon in north London, Tottenham have continued to gain a reputation for their mental resolve under the former Celtic boss.
Losing just a single Premier League appearance since opening the New Year, it is no secret that Saturday’s hosts still have their sights set on securing a lucrative Champions League return in 2024.
While Postecoglou might still be seeking some crucial defensive stability as his side have failed to notch a single Premier League clean sheet since the middle of December, there is a real air of optimism around the white half of north London.
If Spurs are to clinch a lucrative top-four ticket come May and complete what has been a successful maiden campaign under their Australian boss, then Saturday’s hosts face what should be a season-deciding trip to Aston Villa next weekend.
Son opens his 2024 account
With Tottenham announcing on Friday that Brazil international Richarlison could face up to a month on the sidelines with a recent knee injury, Tottenham’s skipper knows that plenty of Spurs’ goalscoring burden will fall on his shoulders.
Suffering Asia Cup heartbreak last month as South Korea had to eventually settle for s semi-final finish in the Middle East, Son had initially struggled to find much fluidity on his return to domestic duties.
Nevertheless, wrapping up all three points for Postecoglou’s side here and opening his Premier League account for 2024, the 31-year-old caused Palace’s leaky defence a string of issues.
Appointed Tottenham’s permanent captain following Harry Kane’s blockbuster move to Bayern Munich last summer, Son will certainly have a leading role to play in Spurs’ late charge for a Champions League ticket.
Notching 13 Premier League goals in his 23 appearances this season and with only five top-flight players notching more goals, it is no surprise that there are reports Postecoglou wants to get Son tied down to a new deal in the capital.
Issues on the road haunt Palace again
While Crystal Palace might have opened Oliver Glasner’s tenure with a routine 3-0 romp against relegation scrappers Burnley last week, the Eagles would have always known that they faced a far sterner examination here.
However, minutes away from pulling off what would have a been a real upset in north London, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss will already have a headache over his side’s extended issues away from Selhurst Park.
With some in Palace’s camp still looking over their shoulder, Saturday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous nine straight away fixtures across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to November 4th.
Suffering what was certainly a frustrated collapse here, Glasner’s new squad have also shipped 13 goals in their last four Premier League showdowns away from Selhurst Park.
Failing to collect consecutive Premier League victories throughout this season, Palace face what could be a campaign-defining battle next weekend when they welcome Luton to south London.
Match Report
Tottenham: Vicario, Emerson Royal, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner, Son
Subs: Lo Celso, Hojberg, Johnson, Sarr, Scarlett
Crystal Palace: Johnstone, Ward, Andersen, Richards, Mitchell, Lerma, Wharton, Munoz, Ayew, Eze, Mateta
Subs: Edouard, Franca, Hughes
Goals: Tottenham: Werner (77’), Romero (80’), Son (88’) Crystal Palace: Eze (59’)
Yellow Cards: Tottenham: Bentancur Crystal Palace: Lerma, Johnstone
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: John Brooks
