An entertaining game but left with the nagging feeling that we were robbed of a point by a world-class finish (& Alli’s second wasn’t too shabby either) and our continuing woes in front of goal. Tottenham fan at work had commented this would be the sort of game the old Spurs would lose – and but for Lloris and the Selhurst woodwork we might even have grabbed a win – while I joked he’d have to name their player who put through his own net, which freakish prediction came true! Watched alongside a Spurs fan who felt Palace deserved a draw (he may just have been being polite) and was impressed with the way Palace pressed Spurs, but I was always worried that eventually we would run out of steam, which we did for long periods of the second half.
Same XI that started at City began today, although it did appear that Richard Shaw was recalled in an unusual right wing role, so different did Wilf look under his new Barnet. Spurs started by monopolising possession in the first few minutes without actually threatening an opening, and a swift Palace break saw Zaha win a free kick, which Puncheon curled over. Hennessey, in need of confidence building, blocked an early Kane shot nut from the ensuing corner Alderweirald but a good headed chance just wide. Notable was Pardew’s plan of closing down Spurs’ playing from the back, with pressure put on Lloris both indirectly through marking the full backs on the edge of their area, and directly by closing the keeper down. Lloris had already knocked one awful clearance straight into touch before he tried to slip the ball past Zaha; Wilf intercepted by the goal line but lacked immediate support, and by the time it arrived Wickham’s effort was blocked. Palace had gained some measure of control in midfield at this stage, and Spurs easy-on-the-eye-passing was replaced by some more direct and rushed play, which was less threatening although it nearly created a chance for Alli on the end.
In a way the pressing high up the pitch brought the goal, as Spurs were unable to clear the ball from the edge of their area, and a nice little ball from McArthur played Wilf in on the right: his cross was deflected inside his own near post by Vertonghen, which resolved our goal drought in a manner of which John Terry would approve. That brought a period of heavy Spurs pressure, although on the break Zaha showed some more of his old magic, breaking clear of the defence but shooting over – maybe a cross would have been a better option... Hennessey kept us in the lead with what looked a reaction save from a close-range effort (Dembélé?), although I missed a clash involving Cabaye right on the whistle which from gestures involved an elbow.
Whether it was the efforts in the first half that drained our midfielders, or the effects of a heavy challenge on Cabaye that left him injured & receiving treatment for several minutes (& positively not happy either) before limping back on later – but Spurs were to be dominant in that arena at the start of the second half, with one effort dipping late that would have seen Hennessey helpless. Wayne made a number of saves this half, some easy, some not so, and some where he looked likely to let the ball run free before recovering. Kane really should have buried one of those chances with a close range header. He made amends soon when a cross into the six-yard box saw Delaney & Hennessey leave responsibility to each other, and Kane simply rose above Damien to score. On balance I’d say the balance of blame lay with Delaney, as there was no call from Wayne so he should have jumped; but should Wayne have come for the cross?
That actually woke Palace up. Wilf, who had disappeared from play as the supply of ball dried up, started to become a factor again, and only a fine save from Lloris prevented a Zaha goal. Puncheon started to become a source of danger down the left. From the Whitehorse Lane end it was difficult at times to see how Tottenham’s goal remained intact: in separate incidents first Souaré then Delaney were denied by blocks from keeper & defenders; then a Puncheon corner saw Dann’s header hit the underside of the bar, then Jedinak’s effort strike wood seconds later. Again, moments we could have scored that were crucial to the final result. Perhaps we were missing the incisive finishing of the by-now subbed Vertonghen at that stage...
The goal that broke the deadlock was one of the best I’ve seen at Selhurst, Alli’s effort being best described as an improved version of Gazza’s against Scotland; from behind that goal as soon as he struck the ball it was beating Hennessey. Spurs nearly added a third straight after, an effort coming off the face of the crossbar. Palace’s last chance fell to Campbell who was foiled by Lloris. Deep into added time Alli was allowed space to shoot past Hennessey, the curl on the shot removing the keeper from the equation; with Palace gambling & forced to leave players upfield there weren’t the numbers to close him down but Jedinak perhaps should have done better. If 2-1 was a cruel scoreline, 3-1 was utterly false. Even more disappointing was walking away from the ground with Spurs’ fans moaning about how poorly they had played, and Alli did nothing but score twice. Still, bemoaning our luck when we’re gifted an own goal is a little rich!
Ratings
Hennessey – 6 – Stopped a fair number of efforts on goal in one of the busiest afternoon’s this season for a Palace keeper. One at the end of the first half was either very lucky (in that Wayne didn’t have time to get out of the way) or very good. Second half he had to stretch for a few but I just don’t feel confident in him at the moment. From my viewpoint straight behind his goal in the second half I don’t believe he had a chance with either of Alli’s goals, but he must accept part of the blame for the equaliser, as it was a cross he could have come for.
Ward – 6 – Didn’t get a great deal of help from Zaha defensively, but neither did he show up supporting the attack as often as usual.
Souaré – 7 – Good game from Pape, looked good at the back and his crosses were far better today. Shame Lloris stopped a first Palace goal.
Delaney – 5 – Sorry Damien, if the keeper doesn’t call, the central defender must take responsibility for his man. Judging by his actions immediately after the goal I reckon Damo agrees, as the rant appeared to be self-directed & not at Wayne. Still, Kane had won a header or two against him already. Also had a good chance blocked in the second half.
Dann – 6 – Solid enough although let Alli escape him once in the first half, and Kane to beat him in the air in the second. Up the other end we all thought he’d scored with that header.
Cabaye – 7 – In the first half was the dominant figure in midfield, gaining possession & using it well – good example would be his persistence in the build-up to the first goal. Would have been interesting if his volley from a corner hadn’t been blocked – a Paul Scholes special on the cards! Wasn’t the same in the second half, perhaps due to the bad looking knock he took, given the treatment seemed to consist of cold water.
McArthur – 6 – Hard-working, supplied the short pass to Wilf in the build-up to our goal, but found it a lot harder after half-time. Perhaps all that effort finally took its toll.
Ledley – 5 – Decent first half, poor second half when he looked unable to live with the pace of Tottenham’s game in the midfield.
Puncheon – 6 – Unlike most of the team had a far better second half than first: in one spell after the interval he looked likely to unlock Spurs’ defence every time he received the ball, linking well with Wickham & Souaré.
Zaha – 7 – Good first half when he made Danny Rose look second rate, although to be fair Rose did a number of Wilf on the counter several times; Wilf’s defensive work has been better. On the attack his dangerous cross produced the goal, while he forced Lloris into a mistake that could have led to another, and one mazy run was finished with a slightly disappointing effort. Second half he hardly saw the ball for the first 15 minutes, with midfield starved of possession, but still caused Spurs trouble late on, being denied by the keeper.
Wickham – 6 – A lot of good work, chasing the ball down and tormenting Lloris when the keeper was in possession, as well as revealing our new tactic is his long throw to our centre forward... hang on, I’m sure I’ve missed something there? Although he actually had few chances on goal the team appeared a lot more focussed with his up front.
Jedinak – 5 – Substitute for McArthur who started well, but was outwitted by Alli twice. Not sure what he could do for the first (flatten his opponent with a flying elbow perhaps?) but surely could have done a better job closing down for the second. And was his chance that hit the woodwork one he should have buried?
Campbell – 5 – Late sub for Cabaye, couldn’t tell how good his chance was.
(Photo credit: Sebastian F)