Son Heung-Min winner secures nervy Tottenham win vs. Palace
By Gary Pearson
Son Heung-Min became South Korea’s highest scoring Premier League player with a sublime left-footed curling effort, helping Spurs secure the win in an otherwise nervy performance.
Spurs upped the tempo in the early states of the second half, but the best chance fell to Wilfried Zaha. The Palace front man is fitted with a humming bird’s speed. His dizzying pace conned Gazzaniga into a regrettable decision in the 56th minute. The 25-year-old keeper came off his line to try knick the ball, but Zaha was always favoured in the footrace.
It was easier for Wilfried Zaha to score than miss. He still managed to spurn his 56th-minute chance, pulling the ball around Paulo Gazzaniga only to miss a wide open goal. Gazzaniga then made a brilliant reaction save from a point-blank header minutes later.
Palace were made to pay for their lack of a cutting edge when Son showed the difference in quality between the two sides with his dazzling finish in the 64th minute. Yohan Cabaye made a hash of his clearance attempt, the ball falling favourably to the South Korean. He made no mistake from the edge of the box, his curling effort rendering Julian Speroni useless.
Son should have scored a second, the South Korean’s effort flashing into the side netting after being sent in alone. Speroni cut down the angle well but Son will be disappointed with not putting the match to bed. He did, however, score Spurs’ decisive goal so all is forgiven.
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First Half
A sedentary first half saw neither team create any clear-cut scoring opportunities. Scott Dann’s downward header directly from a corner forced a strong save from Gazzaniga, who hit the ground swiftly to knock the ball down with an outstretched hand. It was the best chance from an otherwise listless first 45.
The Argentinian keeper, starting his first Premier League match for Spurs, also gave Mamadou Sakho a decent quasi-right hook in the opening minutes. Missing the ball completely, Gazzaniga came through Sakho on the follow through. It’s the knockout punch Spurs were in search of.
Fears, after a remarkable 90 minutes against Real Madrid midweek, of a potential letdown surfaced for most of the match, as Spurs struggled to muster any discernible offensive threat. Spurs enjoyed almost 75 percent possession, a stat so often achieved, yet overrated in matches of this nature. Spurs are a deadly counter-attacking side but aren’t afforded the opportunity to display that quality in matches against inferior opponents.
Eric Dier enjoyed another decisively dominant first half, his flawless slide tackling technique coming to the fore. Dier’s unmatched ability to read the game is a quality almost as valuable as having a forward with an innate nose for goal.
Next: Son Heung-Min becomes highest scoring South Korean
Spurs weren’t at their best against Palace in a match that was, after their midweek elation, always going to prove difficult. All that really matters in a match of this nature is the result, which Spurs, by the skin of their teeth, ensured with Son’s solitary piece of magic.
Palace, not for lack of trying, have failed to score in eight consecutive Premier League away outings. Their inability to make the most of their opportunities may eventually cost their place in England’s top flight.
Pochettino, and Spurs’ faithful, can breath a collective sigh of relief. All three points are in the bag, Spurs putting pressure on both Manchester clubs, who play Arsenal and Chelsea in the afternoon’s forthcoming fixtures.
Teams with championship pedigree don’t always play to their potential. But elite sides find a way to win, no matter how unconvincing the performance. Spurs will take great solace from that adage on a day made difficult by Roy Hodgson and his impassioned Palace.