Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur’s much-anticipated homecoming finally arrived, and it went as well as they could have hoped. Spurs started life in their new stadium with a much-needed 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
It was a huge win for Spurs, who had gone five matches without a win in the league. That included their late defeat to Liverpool after a Toby Alderweireld own goal last time out.
The win put them back up to third in the Premier League table, one point above North London rivals Arsenal, who still have a game in hand.
Those who took the Asian handicap SBOBET tip of Spurs -1.25 in this match’s preview should be pleased as Spurs delivered following their recent run of poor Premier League 2019 results.
Highlights of the game
The energy before the match was predictably high, with the crowd of around 60,000 brimming with excitement as they get to experience their new stadium for the very first time.
Spurs had the first real chance of the match inside of two minutes off a corner. Kieran Trippier delivered a cross into the six-yard box, which Dele Alli met. However, the Spurs midfielder’s header was tame and easily caught by Palace keeper Vicente Guaita.
Just a minute later, it was Palace’s turn to threaten as Jeff Schlupp got behind the Spurs defence. But he was under pressure from Toby Alderweireld and blazed his effort way over the bar.
Spurs then had a good chance in the 16th minute through Christian Eriksen. The Dane’s shot was saved by Guaita, and despite Son being well-placed to pounce on the rebound, Palace were able to get the ball clear.
Son fired a shot which tested Guaita again on 36 minutes, but the Palace keeper was just able to push the ball out for a corner from his near post.
Harry Kane’s best chance of the first 45 minutes came just before half-time as he attempted to get on the end of an Eriksen cross. Unfortunately, his header went well wide.
Spurs eventually made the breakthrough 10 minutes after the break. Eriksen’s press won the ball in Palace’s third and quickly got to ball to Son. And after evading several Palace defenders, the South Korean got a huge slice of luck as his shot took a huge deflection, which sent the ball right into the corner.
Kane had a glorious opportunity to double Spurs’ lead 10 minutes later after he was sent clear on goal. But the star striker was unable to get enough curl on his shot as he tried to place it into the top corner of the goal.
But Kane did play an important part in Spurs’ clinching goal in the 80th minute. He was able to work his way into the six-yard box before getting tackled. Eriksen was quickest to react to the ball ahead of several flat-footed Palace defenders as he slotted past Guaita.
Palace almost pulled a goal back inside last five minutes as a Patrick van Aanholt cross appeared to be headed toward goal. But Hugo Lloris was just able to get his hand on the ball and push it out for a corner.
Palace had another great chance from the ensuing corner, but Christian Benteke was unable to get his header from the six-yard box on target.
Key statistics
It was quite a dominant opening performance from Spurs in their new ground. They controlled 65 per cent of possession and outshot Palace by a whopping 26 to five.
Spurs’ recent dominance over Palace continues. They have now won each of their past eight Premier League meetings against Crystal Palace. Palace have also failed to score in their last six away games against Tottenham.
No wonder the Tottenham vs Crystal Palace betting odds had Palace priced at 6.00 to win in the 1X2 market. This fixture has been — and continues to be — quite a one-sided affair.
Son scored his 12th Premier League goal of the season, snapping a five-match goalless run in the league. His last PL goal came all the way back against Leicester in February.
Meanwhile, Eriksen picked up yet another assist, giving him 59 in 200 Premier League games. Only Cesc Fabregas (66), David Beckham (62), Thierry Henry (61) and Dennis Bergkamp (60) have had more assists in their first 200 PL appearances.
What’s next?
After taking care of business in the league, Tottenham now turn their attention to next week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City. City are coming off a comfortable 2-0 win over Cardiff City in midweek to return to the top of the table.
As for Palace, they take on Newcastle away on Saturday in the Premier League. Palace are just one spot ahead of 14th-placed Newcastle in the Premier League table. Victory for either side should just about secure Premier League survival for this season.
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