FA Premier League
CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Ayew 90+3)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (Ward og 53, Son 67)

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

The goals came in the second period via a finish into his own net by Palace skipper Joel Ward, and then Spurs doubled the lead via Heung Min Son.

Speaking after the game, Ange Postecloglou 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: “Dreams last as long 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.”

He said the success they side are enjoying was forged by their commitment intraining.

He said: “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 Postecloglou 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, 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 tweaking decision. His slick movement and a youngsters enthusiasm produced the second.

Postecloglou absorbs quietly on the touchline and then makes changes as he sees fit. What a entirely different approach to his predecessor, and the result is both passionate football played in a controlled style.

The opener came on 53.

Pressure down the right had 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.

The cushion opened things up as Palace grew bolder, but with it more desperate and ragged as the minutes ticked down. Christian Romero wound up the home terraces when he went down clutching his head and had earlier giving himself the role of Pantomime villain.

Spurs went to see it out it until the added time finish by Ayew gave Palace a glimmer of hope. But the home side could only muster up kitchen sink football, lobbing long balls forward which Romero and Micky van de Ven had no difficulty with.

Postecloglou has decisions approaching.

Richarlison showed he has not yet adapted down the flank. His strength is leading a line, holding up, winning headers, smart feet and quick shots. Instead, he 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.

Richarlison looks like he is trying too hard.

Midway through the first half, he stole a yard and came inside. He had time to look up but instead of using instinct, he took a fraction to place himself, and dragged his shot wide.

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

CRYSTAL PALACE: Johnstone, Ward, Mitchell (Clyne 69), Guehi, Lerma (Franca 78), Ayew, Schlupp (Rak-Sakyi, 59) Andersen, Hughes (Ahamada 78), Edouard, Doucoure
SUBS NOT USED: Matthews, Holding, Mateta, Richards, Riedewald.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Vicario, Son, Bissouma (Hojbjerg 64), Richarlison (Johnson 64), Maddison (Gil 89), Romero, Kulusevski (Bentacur 89), Porro, Sarr, Davies (Royal HT), van de Ven.
SUBS NOT USED: Forster, Skipp, Dier, Lo Celso.