Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace: Winners and Losers from London Derby
Tottenham Hotspur eked out a vital 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, with new boy Son Heung-Min netting the only goal of the game in the second half.
Spurs dominated most of the match but looked anaemic in the final third, and the Eagles flashed their goalscoring potential on the counter-attack, hitting the post in each half. But super-sub Christian Eriksen finally picked the lock and sent Son through, allowing him to squeeze a finish under Alex McCarthy.
“I think we deserved the three points," Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris told Sky Sports' live broadcast after the game. “It was a good win because in front of us was a good team who are going to be trouble to other teams. There is quality in their squad.”
Here B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Son Heung-Min, Tottenham Hotspur
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Son Heung-Min’s first Premier League match at White Hart Lane was a resounding success. Building upon a two-goal Europa League outing against Qarabag in midweek, he scored the winner here and deservedly claimed Sky Sports’ Man of the Match award.
His link play, agility and dancing feet made him a menace between the lines, often finding himself in space to shoot and forcing Crystal Palace into emergency evasive action early and often.
He eventually netted by slamming a low shot under Alex McCarthy on a vicious counter-attack, and he seems to have meshed immediately with his new team-mates.
Loser: Alex McCarthy, Crystal Palace
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Alex McCarthy actually enjoyed a very good first half, pushing and punching multiple shots clear and ensuring his parries were into areas from which no striker could capitalise.
But he messed up in the second half, and it’s the second week running you could argue he’s made a mistake. Allowing Son's shot to go under him and through his legs is poor; it’s an error you cannot make at this level. Add this to his fumble to allow Kelechi Iheanacho to score Manchester City's winner late on last time out and you’ve got a storyline of a goalkeeper under pressure.
With fan favourite Julian Speroni returning to fitness soon and Wayne Hennessey on the bench, Alan Pardew has options if he feels he needs to make a switch.
Winner: Erik Lamela, Tottenham Hotspur
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Erik Lamela’s had a good start to the season, grafting hard for the team and forever trying to find that magical cutting edge he boasted at Roma. Goal’s Harry Sherlock was again impressed with his performance on Sunday, with the Argentinian playing a crucial role in the winning goal.
With Crystal Palace pressuring, Lamela dispossessed his man in the heart of midfield and sparked a quick counter-attack via Eriksen. Five seconds later, Son had scored the goal that settled the game.
With Mauricio Pochettino recruiting both Son and Clinton N’Jie this summer, the message is clear: more production is required outside of Harry Kane and Eriksen. Lamela is stepping up his game, and the fans are pleased to see it.
Loser: Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
4 of 5
This writer is a big believer in Harry Kane and his clear ability, but after 514 goalless minutes to start the Premier League season, the drought is beginning to concern more than a few people.
On Sunday, against an extremely modest defensive pairing of Damien Delaney and Brede Hangeland, he mustered very few chances and looked a little sluggish. While Son brought energy and verve to the midfield and the players around him responded to this, Kane looked snail-like in comparison.
This isn't to pile on Kane; he's serving a role despite not hitting the back of the net, and only a fool would consider him a one-season wonder at this point. But his confidence is low and the finishing is off—just look at his early free header from a corner, fired well over, for evidence of that.
Winner: Dele Alli, Tottenham Hotspur
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Dele Alli excelled during Tottenham Hotspur’s midweek victory over Qarabag and was rewarded with a start here against Crystal Palace. Safe to say he impressed once again.
His energy and directness thrusting forward from deep gave Spurs an extra edge, and his willingness to play passes between the lines early allowed them to create chances as well as dominate possession. He got through his fair share of defensive work too.
Many saw Alli as a rotational option coming into the season—the sort of player you roll out in the Capital One Cup—but he’s quickly making a home for himself in the first-team XI. If this continues, he’ll emerge as a key player quickly and become central to Mauricio Pochettino’s project.
