Crystal Palace see off struggling Tottenham in FA Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.Tottenham Hotspur went out of their second domestic cup competition in four days as Crystal Palace's Connor Wickham and Andros Townsend struck first-half goals to secure a 2-0 FA Cup victory in a lively fourth-round clash on Sunday.
Spurs, beaten by Chelsea in a League Cup semi-final penalty shootout on Thursday, had their woes compounded in a dismal opening period when Kieran Trippier shot wide from the penalty spot after Patrick van Aanholt brought down Juan Foyth.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, already missing striker Harry Kane and midfielder Dele Alli through injury and with South Korea forward Son Heung-min on his way back from the Asian Cup, rested Christian Eriksen among a raft of changes from last weekend's Premier League win at Fulham.
The hosts took the lead against the run of play in the ninth minute as Wickham, whose Palace career had stalled due to a serious knee injury suffered in 2016, tapped in from close range on his first start for the club in 792 days.
The 25-year-old forward was in the right place to capitalise after Jeffrey Schlupp glided past the Spurs defence only to have his shot from the right parried away by keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Palace doubled their lead with a penalty in the 34th minute through Townsend, who sent Gazzaniga the wrong way, after defender Kyle Walker-Peters inexplicably handled a high ball.
Julian Speroni, who had made a fine double save to deny Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, was also solid after the break as he helped Roy Hodgson's team to victory.
What time does it start?
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur kicks off at 4:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 27 January.
Where can I watch it?
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 3:30pm (GMT).
BT Sport subscribers can stream the action online or watch via the BT Sport app.
Highlights will be shown at 10:30pm on BBC One.
Player to watch…
Harry Winks: In the absence of key players Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min, Harry Winks has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks. The 22-year-old scored a last-minute winner at Fulham last weekend, and his drive and intensity was evident during Thursday night’s Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea.
Form guide…
Crystal Palace: DLWWLL
Spurs: WWWLWL
Odds…
Crystal Palace to win: 9/5
Spurs to win: 8/5
Draw: 11/5
Prediction…
Tottenham to win 2-0
It is a grim day in London. Rain, cold, wind - a proper January afternoon.
The lengthy walk from the Selhurst Park tunnel to the centre of the somewhat scruffy-looking pitch for the pre-match handshakes and photos.
Kick-off is imminent.
Kevin Friend blows his whistle, and Spurs get things underway.
1 minute
Three abreast at the back for Spurs, with Juan Foyth and Jan Vertonghen flanking Davinson Sanchez. Kyle Walker-Peters at left wing-back.
A tightly packed midfield three for Crystal Palace: Jeffrey Schlupp and Max Meyer alongside Cheikhou Kouyate. Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend wide, Connor Wickham with the task of troubling that back three up front.
2 minutes
First forward foray from Kyle Walker-Peters, carrying the ball nicely before feeding Georges-Kevin Nkoudou outside him.
Spurs corner.
3 minutes
Tottenham often have the height to trouble at set-pieces but so rarely do, and it is a Crystal Palace head that meets the corner.
Superb atmosphere being generated in these early stages.
4 minutes
Tottenham trying to use their width early on. Kyle Walker-Peters and Kieran Trippier can both provide quality in forward areas, and the pair are looking to combine with the speedy wingers ahead of them regularly as Spurs dominate possession.
6 minutes
Lucas Moura takes a forward pass nicely to surge away from Cheikhou Kouyate and the Senegalese midfielder is rather fortunate to escape caution.
Spurs play the free kick short and work space for Oliver Skipp to set his sights on goal from the edge of the area, but the youngster rather misplaces his side-foot goalwards. Several yards wide of Julian Speroni's left-hand post, and the Palace goalkeeper will pump clear.
7 minutes
First touch for Fernando Llorente, overcooking a header looking for Georges-Kevin Nkoudou trying to move in behind.
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