Article by Richard O'ConnorThe expression ‘A Tale of Two Halves’ has often been used to describe Tottenham Hotspur’s performances in the Premier League this season and today’s game was no different. Poor one minute, a blistering counter attack leading to a goal the next. Spurs fans really do see it all.
Indeed the Tottenham faithful had to endure a particularly sloppy opening 15 minutes to this game, in which Palace striker Jason Puncheon came close to giving his side the lead on two occasions. The first chance was a close range effort that was accidentally blocked by teammate Bolasie in the Spurs box. The second, a penalty that was mis-kicked and sent high into row Z. For Tottenham, both Walker and Dembélé’s poor passing coupled by a lack of movement from strikers Adebayor and Soldado, saw Tottenham look increasingly vulnerable to Crystal Palace’s counter attacks as the half progressed. There was no doubt that Palalce’s forwards in the first half were much more willing to work for their team. This was highlighted even further by some beautiful play by Chamakh, ghosting unmarked into the Spurs box as a Crystal Palace corner was looped in. Unfortunately for the former Arsenal striker, his toe poke connection to the ball just wasn't enough to beat the mass of crowded bodies still in front of him and the ensuing loose ball was cleared. Indeed as the half progressed, Palace’s passing and movement became increasingly slick and it took both a handful of luck and the assured presence of Spurs’ Captain Michael Dawson in the heart of the defence, for Tottenham to weather the storm.
There were some periods of respite for Tottenham in the first half however, with the promising young French midfielder Nabil Bentaleb trying desperately to break the deadlock. His snapshot in the 7th minute of the game went close and was parried by Palace shot stopper Speroni, however Soldado could not follow through on the rebound. Then again the Frenchman took a strike from distance in the 35th minute that went agonisingly close, but ricocheted off the inside of Speroni’s post and out. Adebayor, heeding the call of his teamate’s good example, suddenly sprung to life after a delightful Lennon cross was whipped in from the right hand side, but the big Togolese striker just couldn’t connect.
Whatever Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood said during the half-time interval must have resonated well with his under performing side, as in the second half of the White Hart Lane encounter, Spurs looked to break forward with much more intent. Tottenham, now starting to shift the focus of their play down both wings, saw Lennon and Eriksen finally given the chance to imprint their own mark on the game. Indeed Eriksen went close from a Soldado flick on in the 48th minute, but took too long in getting a shot off and it was blocked by a determined Palace defence. A minute after this attempt, Kyle walker, struggling with a calf problem and unable to handle the physical aggressiveness of Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, was replaced by Kyle Naughton as Shwerwood looked further towards shoring up his back line.
The shift in focus in regards to Spurs’ playing style finally paid dividends in the 50th minute, when a long ball from a wide position on the right hand side was flicked on by Adebayor, allowing Eriksen plenty of time to smash home from close range, putting the home side 1-0 up. A collective sigh of relief was heard echoing throughout White Hart Lane.
Spurs, knowing their fellow Londoners side don’t score many goals on the road, looked to attack Palace with much more intention now as they tried to kill the game off. Lennon, solid throughout the match so far, used his pace to great effectiveness as he intercepted a Palace attack on three separate occasions, in order to spark a counter attack of his own.
In the 57th minute, the largely ineffectual Roberto Soldado came off for Jermain Defoe, a change well received by the Tottenham faithful. Indeed Defoe within five minutes, showed more desire than Soldado did in the entire first half, as the experienced English forward with his back to goal, made a quick pivot inside the Palace box and unleashed a powerful drive at Speroni’s goal, which was just tipped wide. Defoe was not to be denied however, in what could be one of his last ever home games for Spurs. In the 72nd minute, the ever energetic Lennon threaded a beautiful pass through to Defoe who turned clear of two challenges before calmly slotting the ball into the net.
Credit goes to Crystal Palace after going 2-0 down, as Tony Pulis’ side displayed a never say die attitude and continued committing men forward in order to trouble a high playing Spurs back line. Right winger, Jason Puncheon was more than happy to exploit some very poor passing and concentration by Rose on a number of occasions, in order to try to provide the spark that his side needed in the final third.
With Chadli coming on for Eriksen, Spurs once again tried to turn the tide back in their favour, but overall it took the commanding presence of Lloris in the Tottenham goal, to deny Chamakh late on from a header. A nail biting finish to a deceptively tricky encounter. Spurs now lie 5th place in the Premier League table and a point off a Champions League spot.
Player Ratings:
Hugo Lloris - 7
Somewhat erratic with his distribution at times, but overall an assured display from the Frenchman, serving his team well as a commanding presence in the box whenever Palace attempted to counter attack.
Kyle Walker – 5
Struggled with a calf strain in the opening half. Passing was very sloppy in the opening 20 minutes in particular. Replaced by Naughton early in the second half as Spurs looked to shore up a shaky back line.
Michael Dawson – 7
Did very little wrong, in what was an assured display by the Spurs captain. Strong in the air to deal with the presence of Jerome and Chamakh and often had to correct the mistakes made by his teammates when they gave the ball away needlessly.
Vlad Chiriches – 6
Found it tough against a very physical Palace side at times, but grew into the game as it progressed. Assured with the ball at his feet and tried hard to push his team forward when running from deep.
Danny Rose – 5
Tried to get forward when he could, but his final ball and overall passing game was very poor. The cause of many dangerous Crystal Palace counter attacks.
Aaron Lennon – 8
MOTM. One of the few Tottenham players in the first half that tried to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Always a threat going forward, sparking some lively attacks down the right hand wing. Put in a very assured defensive display, making three key interceptions as Palace looked to get back into the game after going a goal down.
Moussa Dembélé – 5
Responsible for giving away a penalty in the first half and failed to stamp his authority on the game. Teed up Bentaleb for a strike from distance and drew a foul for Spurs just outside the Palace penalty box early on in the match, but drifted out of the game as Spurs looked to their wings to provide a sharper attacking presence.
Nabil Bentaleb – 6
A much more assured display from the young Spurs midfielder than his showing last week against Arsenal. Always trying to burst forward with the ball and was unfortunate not to score on two separate occasions in the first half. Like Dembélé, he faded somewhat in the second half, but still tried to pressure the Palace midfielders when they had the ball.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Relatively quiet in the beginning, but saw much more of the ball in the second half. Always shows great movement and desire to put his team in front when given adequate service. Took his goal well to put Spurs 1-0 up. This is one player to keep an eye out for.
Roberto Soldado – 5
Showed rare glimpses of the form many saw from him at Valencia in previous seasons and was largely lacklustre in the Spurs attack today. Provided very little movement throughout the match and was rightly replaced by Defoe in the second half.
Emmanuel Adebayor – 6
‘A tale of two halves’ rings truest for the Togolese hitman, as he went from a seemingly uninterested display in the first half, to leading the line excellently in the second. Great touch and hold up play as the game progressed and showed great strength in winning the header that tee’d up Eriksen for his goal.
Subs:
Kyle Naughton – 7
Much more of a calm and assured presence than Walker at right back. Passing was relatively faultless and combined well with Lennon as he saw his side grind out a close win.
Jermaine Defoe – 8
Showed Spurs what they will be missing when he moves to Toronto FC in February. Great heart, great desire and a great goal to cap off a fine display by the Spurs legend.
Nacer Chadli – 6
Brought on with 14 minutes of normal time to go. Was relatively quiet and seemed to injure himself after only being on the pitch for 2 minutes.
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walker gave one of the worst performances in a spurs shirt I have ever seen, weather he was ill, unfit or just couldn't be bothered he deserved no greater than a 3 at max. Dawson who kept us in it in the 1st half with a string of last ditch clearences when his team mates were getting caught out of position, a 8 at least. Lennon once again got into crossing positions but they never found a spurs shirt, not MOTM at all, about a 6. The only players who deserved above a 6 were Lloris, Dawson and Bentaleb, possibly Defoe
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