Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Crystal Palace
This was only the fourth time that Crystal Palace had played a Premier League match having started the day in the top four.
Within 23 minutes it was apparent to all that their latest stay in that company was going to be short-lived.
That was how long it took Spurs, inspired by Son Heung-Min, to score three times without reply and create Premier League 2019 highlights in the process.
Spurs have not looked quite right this season, even if there were signs of improvement last time out.
Now, it’s fair to say their 2019/2020 campaign is up and running!
Highlights of the game
With the quartet of Eric Dier, Tanguy Ndombele, Ryan Sessegnon and Kyle Walker-Peters all returning to training this week – and the former two making the bench – Mauricio Pochettino’s squad had a stronger look about it from the outset.
Indeed, after a bright start, the hosts broke the deadlock just 10 minutes in.
A lapse in concentration from Palace defender Mamadou Sakho – making his first start since February – was fully exploited by Son. The South Korean gained possession, cut in on his left foot and found the near corner of Vicente Guaita’s goal via the inside of the post.
Two goals in three quick-fire minutes soon followed and effectively ended the contest before it had fully got going.
First, Patrick van Aanholt– who scored a famous winner at Old Trafford last month – deflected Serge Aurier’s right-wing cross into his own net.
Then Aurier’s cross was volleyed expertly home by Son from the edge of the six-yard box.
The SBOBET Premier League 2019 betting odds on Palace getting anything out of the match were surely non-existent by that point.
They were being completely overpowered and a shadow of the side which had started the season so well.
Three soon became four – this against a side which had only conceded two league goals before today and none in the opening 45 minutes of their opening four league games.
South Korean supremo Son was involved once more as he released Harry Kane with a superb pass with the outside of his boot. The England skipper, in turn, found Erik Lamela, who squeezed home the fourth.
After conceding four goals to Spurs’ four shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, Roy Hodgson’s men must have been stunned.
Early in the second period Guaita superbly denied Harry Winks a fifth. His Spurs counterpart Hugo Lloris did well to keep out a Gary Cahill header, but that was a rare foray forward as Spurs eased up against disheartened opponents.
The visitors’ day was summed up when Cheikhou Kouyate had to leave the fray injured with just over a quarter of an hour remaining.
So, a good day all round for Spurs, who have the bonus of keeping Christian Eriksen out of the clutches of other clubs and settled, at least until the new year.
Perhaps we should not be surprised.
Palace’s recent league record against Tottenham doesn’t make pleasant reading. That’s despite away wins at five of the established Top Six sides — more than any other club since the start of the 2016-17 season — and the Eagles did beat an understrength Spurs 2-0 at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup last season.
Key statistics
Son has scored five goals in eight games against Palace; Spurs have gone on to win all four Premier League home games he’s scored in.
This was the first time Spurs had scored three goals in the opening half-hour of a Premier League home game since February 2012, when they defeated Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane.
Palace have beaten Tottenham only once in their past 13 Premier League fixtures (drawn one, lost 11).
Spurs have won nine successive league meetings against the Eagles, conceding just once during that run.
The first official fixture at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was Spurs’ 2-0 over Palace last April.
Spurs drew two of their opening four league games; they drew just twice throughout the whole of their 2018-19 Premier League campaign.
Spurs’ last five league games have produced 21 goals.
Palace had won three of their last five away games against established Top Six opponents and five of their most recent eight league matches before today.
They have accrued 33 points since the start of February — only Manchester City and Liverpool have earned more over that period.
What’s next?
Spurs begin their bid to go one better than last season in the Champions League when they open their Group B campaign against Olympiakos in midweek.
That is followed by a trip to 2016 champions Leicester City next weekend.
Palace entertain Wolves a week tomorrow (September 22).
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