Tottenham Second Half Goals Real Team Efforts v Palace

There were a number of similarities in the team approach Tottenham took for their second-half goals against Crystal Palace. When Tottenham scored twice within about three minutes shortly into the second half, they were two team efforts, which ripped Palace apart and produced a couple of magical moments. Then Spurs third showed an understanding between players that other teams in the league should take note of.

Three Tottenham Team Goals in Second Half

All three goals in the second half for Tottenham were true team efforts where Spurs were able to move the ball and the Palace defense to create big-chances for Tottenham and wonderful goals. The third goal of the three was really the most straight-forward, as after a spell of possession a long diagonal ball from Toby Alderweireld to Lucas Moura set Spurs in motion, as Tottenham cruised to a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Diagonal balls were involved in all three goals

It was the long ball from Alderweireld to Moura that got that third ball going, but it was diagonal balls from a new source that got the first two goals in the second half started. Defenses seem to play Gareth Bale to prevent him from getting past them on the flank and to the end line. This seems to suit Bale fine as he time and again cuts back and then infield to launch a long pass across the pitch.

On the first goal of the second half, it was a long ball from Bale across to Sergio Reguilon after some nice interchange that opened the field. Sergio then hit the ball back across the pitch to Kane who headed the ball back into the middle to Bale who had hustled in to finish the play. On the third goal of the night, it was Kane that received the crossfield pass from Bale.

From there Harry Kane pushed the ball forward and followed the ball as it weaved from player-to-player just outside the box. Kane’s curler was a thing of beauty that will likely never get old.

The good part about diagonal balls from Bale is they are usually to other attackers and it spreads the defense side-to-side. Alternatively, the long diagonals from the back spread the defense front-to-back. Having both as an option gives Tottenham some firepower they simply did not have a few weeks ago.

Unselfish play at the center of all the goals

Ultimately, it is the fact that Tottenham is playing some unselfish football that Spurs found so much success. On Bale’s second Kane could have tried to head the cross in at that tight angle. Instead of forcing it, Kane made the smart, unselfish play and put the ball back in the middle for Bale to finish.

Likewise on Spurs third, the dinked cross from Erik Lamela over to Heung-Min Son could have been struck goalbound by the South Korean. Instead of trying the side volley at the near post, Son side-footed the ball across the goalmouth to Kane to head home. The Son to Kane connection was particularly significant as it marked the 14th time the pair have combined for a goal in the league to set a new mark.

https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1368985869026222091?s=20

Based on what we saw on Sunday, the pair should be adding to the mark moving forward. For now, we should enjoy the beautiful team play and just hope it continues.