Premier League

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Ayew 90+4)
TOTTENHAM 2 (Ward 53 og, Son 66)

TOTTENHAM sit top of the Premier League with a quarter of the season played, and showed in a 2-1 win away at Crystal Palace this evening (Friday) a mixture of flowing brilliance, typified by a wonderful goal from skipper Heung-Min Son, and the ability to contain their opponents.

The goals came in the second period via a finish into his own net by Palace skipper Joel Ward, before then Spurs doubled their lead via Son’s clinical finish.

Speaking after the game, Ange Postecoglou was guarded in his praise about the extraordinary first 10 games he has overseen. Asked if fans could imagine finding themselves in the same place in six months time, he said: “Let them dream. It’s what being a football fan is all about. It’s fair to say that this lot have suffered a fair bit so I’m certainly not going to dampen that. Dreams last as long as they do until someone wakes you up.

“From their first game it’s been really good to look at what they are doing, and because they are getting rewards from their work.”

The Tottenham boss said the success that his side are enjoying was forged by their commitment in training. He added: “They have to keep pushing themselves and each other. I sense this group is determined to work hard to improve and we feel that in the coaching staff. I see no reason why that shouldn’t continue.

“What is important is we are giving our supporters joy, belief. The connection with the fans has been there from the start, they have been rocking since the first game.

“They like what they see, they appreciate the players are working hard. Our attitude as a group of players has been important and the fans see that.”

Football appears to Postecoglou as a series of never ending, constantly changing puzzles to solve – situations that need his wit applied to. And after watching Spurs play a flat 45 minutes tonight, he made a switch that showed bravery to act on what he had seen.

Ben Davies was hauled off for Emerson Royal and a second avenue of attack opened up, the left-wing being poorly served during the first half.

Richarlison was sacrificed for Brennan Johnson and it was another game-changing tweak. Johnson’s slick movement and enthusiasm produced the second.

Postecoglou absorbs quietly on the touchline and then makes changes as he sees fit. What an entirely different approach to his predecessor, Antonio Conte.

The opener came on 53 minutes. Pressure down the right had James Maddison knock a pass in for the on-running Pape Matar Sarr. His cross was deflected back to Maddison, who opted for a first-time valley across the six-yard box. Ward stuck out a leg and steered it home.

The second came via Johnson combining with Maddison and then laying it on a plate for Son’s side-footed finish.

In added time Jordan Ayew gave Palace a glimmer of hope. But the home side could only muster up kitchen sink football, lobbing long balls forward which Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven had no difficulty with.

Postecoglou now has decisions to make. Richarlison showed he has not yet adapted down the flank. His strength is leading the line, holding up play, winning headers, smart feet and quick shots.

Instead, Richarlison has to adapt to the idea of bombing past people and finding the quality ball in. But he is a centre-forward, not a winger. At the moment he earns a place for his spikiness rather than any attacking grace, and Johnson’s quick heels were a stark difference when he came on.

It was Postecoglou’s shuffle that saw Spurs make the break through, and the congenial atmosphere was further improved by the late introduction of Rodrigo Bentancur, making his first return to the fray since damaging knee ligaments at the start of 2023.

Crystal Palace: Johnstone, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell (Clyne, 69), Doucoure, Lerma (Franca, 78), Ayew, Schlupp (Rak-Sakyi, 59), Hughes (Ahamada, 78), Edouard (Mateta, 79)
Substitutes not used: Matthews, Holding, Richards, Riedewald

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Davies (Royal, 45), Sarr, Bissouma (Hojbjerg, 64), Maddison (Gil, 89), Kulusevski (Bentancur, 89), Richarlison (Johnson, 64), Son
Substitutes not used: Forster, Skipp, Dier, Lo Celso