Own Goal and Stellar Interplay Steal the Show
Tottenham Hotspur magnified their dominance in the Premier League, going a notable five points ahead of the pack, courtesy of a victory against Crystal Palace. After halftime, fortune smiled upon Spurs when Joel Ward, a defender for Palace, accidentally redirected James Maddison’s cross into his own net, setting the stage for Tottenham’s win.
Maddison also played a pivotal role in their second goal, linking up brilliantly with Brennan Johnson to set up Son Heung-min, who netted his eighth goal of the season. While Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace did manage a sensational last-minute goal, Tottenham held their ground to secure the win under their new manager, Ange Postecoglou.
Since jumping ship from Celtic this summer, the Aussie coach has revitalized the squad, guiding them to an enviable record of eight wins and two draws in their first 10 league outings. This recent triumph pushes Tottenham’s point total to 26, placing them comfortably ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, who are yet to play their pending matches.
In a chat with Sport News Center, Postecoglou said, “Every week brings a fresh set of challenges. We’ve been committed, disciplined, and unyielding in our gameplay. Particularly between the first and second goals, we controlled the tempo, and even as the match neared its end, the team remained focused and didn’t succumb to pressure.”
Maddison & Son: The Dynamic Duo
James Maddison and Son Heung-min have emerged as Tottenham’s superstars this season. Maddison, particularly since his transition from Leicester City, has found his groove in the Tottenham lineup. He was instrumental in both goals during their faceoff at Selhurst Park.
Palace put up a good fight initially, even creating opportunities in the first half, with their striker Odsonne Edouard going closest with a shot saved by Guglielmo Vicario. But once Maddison found space and initiated that pivotal own goal, Palace couldn’t keep up. He again made his presence felt with the second goal, brilliantly assisting Johnson who then found Son for the finish.
Given their current form, Maddison and Son could be the determining factors in Tottenham’s league aspirations as the season unfolds.
History Suggests Title Hopes Are Real for Spurs
Although Postecoglou and his team are likely cautious about getting carried away, the statistics are compelling:
- Out of 13 teams that have scored 26 or more points in their first 10 Premier League games, 11 finished in the top three, and six clinched the title.
- The only exception was Newcastle in the 1994-95 season, where they ended up in sixth, but that was a 42-game season. Every other team managed to finish in the top three in a 38-game season.
- Tottenham’s current five-point lead is their largest gap since the 1960-61 season, the last time they took home the league title.
- Even Arsenal’s renowned ‘Invincibles’ squad of 2003-04 started with just 24 points in their first 10 games—two fewer than this Tottenham side.
Silver Linings for Crystal Palace
Despite recent setbacks, including a disheartening 4-0 loss to Newcastle, Crystal Palace displayed signs of promise. They troubled Tottenham in the first half and looked like a team finding its way under Roy Hodgson. Unfortunately for them, Ward’s unfortunate own goal became the turning point of the match. Nevertheless, their resilient performance was a far cry from the debacle against Newcastle, offering some consolation.
Man of the Match: Son Heung-min
Son led the pack with an average rating of 8.85, notably outshining his counterparts on both teams.
Team Ratings
- Crystal Palace: Highest rating—J Ayew (5.14), Lowest rating—Mateta (3.95)
- Tottenham Hotspur: Stats skewed heavily in favor with 76% possession, 10 shots, and only 11 fouls committed.
So, with this kind of excitement, could this be the season Tottenham fans have been waiting for? Only time will tell, but for now, the dream of a Premier League title doesn’t seem too far-fetched.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Victory
What was the final score between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace?
Tottenham Hotspur beat Crystal Palace with a score of 1-2.
Who scored the opening goal of the match?
The opening goal was an own goal by Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward, who turned James Maddison’s cross into his own net.
How has Tottenham’s new manager, Ange Postecoglou, impacted the team?
Ange Postecoglou has revitalized the Spurs since taking over in the summer, enjoying the best start by a new manager in Premier League history. Under his management, Spurs have won eight and drawn two of their first 10 games.
How important was James Maddison to Tottenham’s win?
James Maddison was instrumental in both goals. He was responsible for the cross that led to the own goal, and his interplay with Brennan Johnson set up Son Heung-min for the second goal.
Did Crystal Palace manage to score?
Yes, Jordan Ayew scored a stunning goal in stoppage time for Crystal Palace, but it wasn’t enough to secure an equalizer.
What does this win mean for Tottenham’s position in the Premier League table?
With this win, Tottenham Hotspur moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, totaling 26 points. They are ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, who both have a game in hand.
What historic Spurs season is compared to their current run?
Tottenham’s best-ever start came in the 1960-61 season when they amassed 30 points from their first 10 games and went on to win the league title. The current form has fans dreaming of a similar outcome.
How did Crystal Palace perform in the game?
Crystal Palace had a solid defense and maintained their shape for the majority of the game. They even created better chances in the first half but ultimately couldn’t capitalize. Their performance was markedly better than their previous outing against Newcastle.
Who was the player of the match?
Son Heung-min was the player of the match, with an average rating of 8.85.
What are some key statistics from the match?
Tottenham dominated possession with 76% compared to Crystal Palace’s 24%. Despite this, Crystal Palace had more shots (13) than Tottenham (10). However, Tottenham were more clinical, putting one of their shots on target, which ended in a goal.
More about Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Victory
- Premier League Official Website
- Tottenham Hotspur Season Stats
- Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur Match Highlights
- Interview with Ange Postecoglou
- James Maddison’s Season Performance
- Son Heung-min’s Scoring Records
- Historical Premier League Starts and Outcomes
- Sky Sports’ Post-Match Analysis
- Premier League Title Race Predictions
- Crystal Palace Season Overview
9 comments
Ah, those glory days of 1960-61. My dad keeps telling me about it. Maybe, just maybe, history is about to repeat itself.
what’s the deal with Palace? One day they’re solid, next they’re conceding like there’s no tomorrow. They need to figure their stuff out.
Postecoglou is writing a Cinderella story with Spurs. It’s still early days, but 26 points in 10 games is insane. Also, can we talk about Son? The guy is a goal machine!
The stats are mad! 76% possession for Tottenham and yet only 10 shots? Palace actually had more shots with less of the ball. Makes you think.
gotta give it to Spurs, they played well. But man, that own goal by Ward was heartbreaking. We had a solid game otherwise.
Wow, what a match! Spurs are absolutely killing it this season. Who would’ve thought Postecoglou would turn things around like this?
Ayew’s goal was sick, tho. If only we had more moments like that, coulda been a different story. But gg Spurs.
No one’s talkin bout the player ratings? Son with 8.85 is epic. But look at Palace’s ratings, they’re all over the place. Yikes.
Maddison is a genius, end of. that own goal might’ve been luck, but he set it all up. Guy deserves the spotlight!