Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham: James Maddison shines as Spurs go five points clear at top of Premier League | Football News

Report and free match highlights: Joel Ward’s own goal and Heung-min Son’s strike extend Spurs’ impressive start to the season
By Peter Smith, Senior Football Journalist

Tottenham Hotspur continued their dominance in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, resulting in their largest ever lead at the top of the table. The game started slowly, with both teams lacking creativity in the first half. However, it was James Maddison who once again proved to be Spurs’ game changer. His cross-shot shortly after the break forced Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward to score an own goal. Maddison then displayed his brilliant footwork in the box and assisted substitute Brennan Johnson to set up Heung-min Son for his eighth goal of the season.

While Maddison did not achieve an official goal involvement to become the first player to register a goal or assist in each of his first six Premier League away games for a club, his influence on the game was evident. Despite a late comeback attempt by Jordan Ayew, who scored a superb strike in injury time, and a missed opportunity from Matheus Franca, Tottenham held on for the win. With this victory, manager Ange Postecoglou has accumulated a record-breaking 26 points from his first 10 games in the Premier League.

Tottenham’s closest competitors, Arsenal and Manchester City, will now look to close the gap on Spurs in their upcoming matches. However, Postecoglou’s unbeaten side has proven their ability to secure wins in different ways, as demonstrated by their back-to-back victories this week. Despite moments of uncertainty during the first half, Crystal Palace ultimately fell short in the final third and remain in 11th place. They are at risk of falling further down the table in the coming days.

Player Ratings:
Crystal Palace: Johnstone (6), Ward (5), Andersen (6), Guehi (6), Mitchell (6), Lerma (6), Doucoure (6), Hughes (6), Ayew (7), Schlupp (6), Edouard (7).
Subs: Rak-Sakyi (6), Ahamada (6), Clyne (6), Mateta (6), Franca (5)

Tottenham: Vicario (7); Porro (7), Romero (8), Van de Ven (8), Davies (5); Bissouma (6), Sarr (6); Kulusevski (6), Maddison (8), Richarlison (7); Son (8).
Subs: Emerson Royal (6), Johnson (7), Hojbjerg (6), Gil (N/A), Bentancur (N/A)

Player of the Match: Micky van de Ven (Tottenham)

How Spurs Found a Way to Win:
Tottenham, known for their attacking prowess this season, struggled to break through Crystal Palace’s defense in the first half. Palace, eager to respond after a heavy defeat in their previous match, defended well and created several dangerous moments themselves. However, it was Maddison’s goal involvement that turned the tide in Spurs’ favor. Despite a slow start to the second half, Maddison’s skill in the box allowed Johnson to assist Son for a crucial second goal. Although Ayew’s late strike and Franca’s missed opportunity added tension to the match, Spurs’ solid defense and composure secured the victory.

Postecoglou’s View:
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed his support for the fans, encouraging them to dream and enjoy the team’s success. He praised his players for their patience and ability to exploit the gaps in Crystal Palace’s defense. Despite the late drama, Postecoglou commended his players for their composure and handling of the situation.

Hodgson’s Disappointment:
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson acknowledged his team’s strong first-half performance but expressed disappointment that they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. He praised the team’s structure and defensive efforts but acknowledged the difficulty of playing against the league leaders. Hodgson also highlighted the contrast between this week’s performance and their previous heavy defeat.

Opta Stats:
Crystal Palace has struggled against teams at the top of the table under Roy Hodgson, failing to win any of their nine Premier League games and conceding 27 goals while only scoring six. Heung-min Son continues his impressive goal-scoring form for Spurs, with eight goals in 10 Premier League games this season. Crystal Palace has scored three own goals in their…

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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.