Tottenham picked up their first points of 2023 to move to within two points of a Champions League spot as Harry Kane led an excellent second-half showing against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Antonio Conte’s side, who had fallen to a limp defeat against Aston Villa on New Year’s Day, were second best for much of the second half, but Palace could not capitalise on their dominance and the sides headed into the break level at 0-0.
The Italian boss, who continues to cut a frustrated figure in north London, sent his side out early for the second half, and they flew out of the blocks as Harry Kane latched onto a cross from Ivan Perisic to head home, before he rifled in a quickfire second following an excellent pass from Bryan Gil.
Matt Doherty added a third, before Heung Min-Son shook off his goalscoring woes to take advantage of a mistake from Marc Guehi to make it 4-0, and score in just his second Premier League this season.
It leaves Crystal Palace marooned in midtable, while Tottenham cut the gap to the top four to just two points.
Player ratings
Crystal Palace
- GK: Vicente Guaita (5)- Could do very little for three of the goals but will feel as though he could have done better for Matt Doherty’s strike.
- RB: Nathaniel Clyne (6) - Couldn’t get close enough to Ivan Perisic for the opening goal
- CB: Joachim Andersen (5) - Couldn’t really do anything about the goals, and played out from the back well.
- CB: Marc Guehi (5) - An unfortunate ricochet for Tottenham’s fourth goal added to what was a difficult night.
- LB: Joel Ward (4) - Beaten too easily by Matt Doherty for the third and lost Bryan Gil for the second.
- CDM: Chieck Doucoure (6) - The summer signing was excellent in the first half but faded in the second.
- CDM: Jeffrey Schlupp (5) - Was strong in the first 45 but dropped off after that and was hooked on the hour.
- RM: Wilfried Zaha (6) - Weaved in and out at will but couldn’t find the killer touch as he so often does for his side.
- CAM: Eberechi Eze (6) - Looked bright but, like his teammates, lacked in the final third.
- LM: Michael Olise (5) - Unlucky not to be handed a tap in in the first half, but couldn’t really have an impact on the game.
- ST: Jordan Ayew (5) - Worked hard but shot when he should have squared it for a tap in at 0-0.
Substitutes
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (5) - Couldn’t make a difference when he came on.
- Will Hughes (5) - Didn’t offer Patrick Vieira’s side anything new.
- Odsonne Edouard (4) - Had no impact whatsoever.
Tottenham
- GK: Hugo Lloris (8) - Made two very good saves from Jordan Ayew to keep his clean sheet intact.
- RWB: Matt Doherty (7) - Dealt with Wilfried Zaha well for the most part and popped up with a goal at the other end too to put the result beyond doubt.
- CB: Cristian Romero (7) - Excellent once more in the heart of the Tottenham defence.
- CB: Eric Dier (6) - At times looked a little shaky but was otherwise solid on his return to the starting XI.
- CB: Clement Lenglet (7) - Didn’t put a foot wrong for the Lilywhites.
- LWB: Ivan Perisic (6) - Provided a moment of quality for the Tottenham opener with an excellent cross.
- CM: Oliver Skipp (3) - Making just his third start this season, the Englishman looked well off the pace. Hooked on the hour.
- CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (6) - Like many, looked off the pace in the opening 45 minutes, but improved in the second as Tottenham took charge.
- RW: Bryan Gil (5) - Anonymous in the first half but heavily involved for both goals early in the second half and was much brighter in the second 45.
- ST: Harry Kane (8) - Injected some much needed quality into a tepid Tottenham side and put them on track for what turned out to be a comfortable 3 points with two excellent finishes.
- LW: Heung-Min Son (4) - Anonymous in the first 45, and missed a good chance in the second half but refused to stop running and finally got his reward as he turned in the 4th goal.
Substitutes
- Pape Sarr (7) - Looked very good when he came on and will likely have earned himself more top flight appearances.
- Ryan Sessengnon (6) - Solid without really offering anything.
- Emerson Royal (5) - Always looked slightly panicked and was clearly a step down from Doherty.
- Harvey White (N/A) - Came on for his Premier League debut in the dying minutes.
- Ben Davies (N/A) - On for the last five minutes.
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