Tottenham Hotspur dominated possession in the first half but could not maintain control in the second as Palace stepped up and the rain came down, so how did Spurs play?
After some big wins over the last six weeks for the fans and players to feel as let down as they do from a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park says everything about Tottenham this season. As the rain poured and the pressure mounted, eventually Spurs conceded. A late rally from Tottenham was enough to gain back control of the match, but not the three points. So how did everyone perform in the draw?
Tottenham Forward Ratings
Tottenham forwards did what they could, but they were deprived of service for much of the match as Spurs struggled to move the ball up the wings.
Harry Kane – 8
Harry Kane was incredibly efficient for Tottenham on the day, he just did not receive the ball enough. Able to get off five shots with out 33 touches and of course scored the only Spurs goal. Probably should have done better with the heading opportunities he had off corner kicks and maybe should give up on the free kicks, but did what he could in very limited opportunities, particularly in the second half.
Son Heung Min – 7
Like Harry Kane was, Son Heung-Min was mostly starved for the football on Sunday. The South Korean was looking to get the ball and attack, he just did not get it enough. Got the assist for the Kane goal, but Harry did most of the work. Only got one shot off on the afternoon as he spent a lot of time combining with Sergio Reguilón, but not really going anywhere.
Steven Bergwijn – 6
Steven Bergwijn spent much of his afternoon working to give right back Serge Aurier a helping hand as Wilfred Zaha and Eberechi Eze were marauding up and down the Tottenham left. Bergwijn was okay in possession on a day when most of the team struggled, but he offered little really going forward. Did not get a shot off on the afternoon but did have a clearance. Relatively anonymous performance before being replaced by Dele Alli at 84 minutes.
Midfield Ratings
The Tottenham midfield did a job defensively but did not really move and cycle the ball well. Not always the midfields fault as the defense forced several but not the best day from a normally reliable trio.
Tanguy Ndombele – 6.5
Tanguy Ndombele was back in the Tottenham starting XI after missing last week versus Arsenal. Ndombele was particularly strong defensively in the first half as he and Son combined often to pressure the back line of Palace. Ndombele forced one of the five big saves out of Guaita with a first-time redirection on goal of a Serge Aurier cross. A bit disappointed to see him come off, as Tanguy looked decent overall.
Moussa Sissoko – 7
Moussa Sissoko had an efficient and effective game. Ever present in the midfield, breaking up the flow of play and gaining possession back for Tottenham. Completed the highest percentage of passes for Tottenham on the day at over 93%, including six for six on long balls, according to whoscored.com. Received a yellow late in the first half, which seemed to lesson a bit of the Frenchman’s aggression. Did a bit of everything as usual, but needs to continue to work on adding more to the attack.
Pierre Højbjerg – 7.5
Pierre Højbjerg again filled up the stat sheet for Tottenham Hotspur. Third on the team in passing percentage – behind on Sissoko and Son – Højbjerg attempted more passes than Sissoko and Son combined. Led the team in touches and passes attempted by a long shot, but never really got into the attacking third of the pitch, which Spurs need. Was busy defensively so could just not get forward.
Defensive Player Ratings
The defense did what it could to contain some talented Palace attackers in the open field, but too many silly and stupid penalties eventually caught up with the team and cost Spurs two points.
Sergio Reguilón – 6
Sergio Reguilón was about as ordinary today as we have seen him for Tottenham Hotspur. Saw a lot of the ball – second to Højbjerg in touches but did not have many in dangerous areas. Spent most of the evening between midfield and the penalty box hugging the touchline. Never really got to the end line to cross. Was replaced late by Ben Davies as Spurs sought the game winner.
Eric Dier – 6.5
Eric Dier did some good things on the day as he did well to step in front of attackers and then dribble out of the back. However, his overall passing from the back into attacking areas was not nearly as effective. Struck a nice free kick late that Guaita did well to save. Eric should have done better with a header off a free kick that he glanced wide.
Toby Alderweireld – 6.5
Toby Alderweireld did not play particularly bad, but he also did not do a ton that we can recognize him for. Had a couple nice blocks and showed no ill effects of the injury from Manchester City. Hit a few longer balls, but none of the classic diagonal balls that have been so successful this season and in years past.
Serge Aurier – 6
Like Sergio Reguilón, Serge Aurier has seen better overall days at the office. Had a bit of the ball but with little room to maneuver as Palace worked to close off space along the wings. Aurier was able to push a bit further up the pitch than did Reguilón and it resulted in a couple decent crosses. Had his hands full defensively.
Hugo Lloris – 6
Solid on the day until he was not, Hugo Lloris would probably tell you he was at fault for the goal. Lloris was blinded by the flash of people cutting across in front of him and then the ball bounced off Lloris on one of the 11 Palace freekicks. That ball he failed to control became anyone’s and Jeffrey Schlupp was the fist to get to it and tuck it away. A tough moment after Lloris had four saves on the day, however goalies can have them – ask Joe Hart.
Substitutes and Coach
José Mourinho was a bit late with his first substitute and even later with his last two as Spurs reacted too slowly to the change in momentum and were unable to recover in time to win the match.
Giovani Lo Celso – 6.5
Giovani Lo Celso did not have the same impact he has had in recent matches upon entering the fray. On for Tanguy Ndombele, Spurs had even less possession after the change until Palace scored 14 minutes later. Hit a couple decent corners and one nice free kick that Eric Dier could not turn on goal. Lo Celso also had one full-blooded tackle/clearance running over eventual goal scorer Schlopp.
Ben Davies – N/A
Ben Davies came on with six minutes to go in regulation along with Dele Alli as part of a double change. On for Serio Reguilón, Ben Davies did not have a ton to do in either direction as Tottenham worked to get back the goal they had conceded.
Dele Alli – N/A
Dele Alli had one big tackle and got fouled. Other than those two instances his seven touches were not a lot as Dele came on too late to make a major impact. Hopefully not the last we see of Dele.
José Mourinho – 6
Tottenham were set up to succeed in the first half, but the second half was a completely different story for Spurs. On the back foot for essentially 40 of the 45 second half minutes whatever was said at halftime did not work and the opposite ensued. With Liverpool midweek there is little time to fret over the draw. Hopefully Mourinho can have a more complete game plan and team performance Wednesday against Liverpool.
BONUS: Man of the Match
I do not believe we have given any kind of ratings or frankly any kind of Man of the Match awards in the past, but the performance of Vicente Guaita was one worth recognizing. Guaita had five saves, and all were something special. From tipping over a Sergio Reguilon curler to blocking Dier’s late free kick, Guaita was there. The keeper was fooled on Harry Kane’s goal, but sometimes everyone makes a mistake. Overall, if not for the performance of Vicente Guaita, Tottenham would have won the match and for that Guaita is our Man of the Match.