Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace live: Son Heung-min goal seals nervy win for Spurs against defiant Eagles

Follow the latest from the Premier League fixture at Wembley Stadium

Liam Corless
Saturday 04 November 2017 07:38 EDT
Comments
Son Heung-min celebrates scoring Tottenham's opening goal against Crystal Palace
Son Heung-min celebrates scoring Tottenham's opening goal against Crystal Palace (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Roy Hodgson returns to Wembley Stadium for the first time since leaving his role as England manager as he takes his Crystal Palace side north to face Tottenham, who are without three key players in Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld and Dele Alli. Follow the live action here.

  • Tottenham vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 12:00
  • Spurs lose Dele Alli before kick-off as he pulls out of England squad with hamstring injury
  • Lloris and Alderweireld also absent through injuries suffered against Real Madrid
  • Pailo Gazzaniga starts in goal for the first time for Spurs
  • Palace led by Zaha with Hodgson short on strikers

Follow all the live action below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

Preview...

Tottenham welcome Crystal Palace to Wembley on Sunday afternoon flying high after their midweek heroics against Real Madrid.

On a famous night at Wembley on Wednesday, Spurs magnificently beat the current Champions League holders 3-1 to secure qualification to the knockout rounds of the competition. In comparison, the visit of bottom-placed Crystal Palace may feel slightly unglamorous, but boss Mauricio Pochettino will be warning his squad against complacency. If they wish to sustain a credible title challenge, it is these kinds of games that could well define Spurs’ season.

The Argentine will also be wary that, before their triumph against Madrid, Spurs had lost two in a row against domestic rivals, losing both to Manchester United in the league and to West Ham in the EFL Cup. As a result, with the chance of moving back level with United in 2nd place - if the Red Devils lose at Chelsea on Sunday - Spurs will no doubt be fully-focussed on the task in hand this Sunday.

Although Palace have had a dismal start to the season so far – with eight losses in ten games leaving them adrift at the bottom of the table – the Eagles will be hopeful of building some positive momentum after snatching a late point in their 2-2 draw against West Ham last weekend. The grit his side demonstrated at Selhurst Park, as well as their surprise victory over Chelsea earlier this term, will give manager Roy Hodgson some cause for optimism, although the 71 year-old will have to do without Patrick van Aanholt, who limped off early against West Ham.

For Spurs, Toby Alderweireld is absent after picking up a hamstring problem against Real Madrid, but they will be boosted by the return of Moussa Dembele, who is likely to start alongside Harry Winks in midfield.

What time does it start?

Tottenham vs Crystal kicks off at 12:00

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 11:30. Highlights will be shown on 22:30 on BBC One.

It’s a big game for…

Andros Townsend. The 26-year-old life-long Tottenham fan joined the Spurs academy when he was eight years old and didn’t leave until Pochettino let him go in January 2016. The winger would love to grab his first goal of the season against his former employers.

Townsend in action for Palace
Townsend in action for Palace (Getty Images)

Best stat…

2. In 2017, only two teams - Liverpool and Spurs (13) - have won more points against the “Big Six” than Crystal Palace (12).

Remember when…

Dele Alli scored a worldie when these two sides met at Selhurst Park two seasons ago.

Player to watch…

Kieran Trippier. The wing-back has been on fine form so far this term. In addition to setting up Alli for his first goal against Real on Wednesday, he has bagged four assists in the league, making him the most creative defender in the top flight. Included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the international break, expect a confident performance here.

Trippier has been in fine form recently
Trippier has been in fine form recently (Getty Images)

Previous three meetings…

Crystal Palace 0 Tottenham 1 (Eriksen), Premier League, April 2017

Tottenham 1 (Wanyama) Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, August 2016

Tottenham 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Kelly), FA Cup, February 2016

Form guide…

Tottenham: WDWLLW

Crystal Palace: LLWLLD

Odds…

Tottenham: 5/18

Crystal Palace: 19/2

Draw: 5/1

52' - Moussa Sissoko plays a neat one-two with Serge Aurier down the right wing but Joel Ward gets across well to make a key challenge with Sissoko preparing to put a cross in.

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:12

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:12

57' - What a miss! Serge Aurier concedes possession cheaply again and Palace break with Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha. The former finds the latter with a perfect through ball and Zaha rounds the keeper only to put his finish off target with the goal gaping.

That should've been 1-0 to the visitors.

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:16

59' - Spurs haven't improved since the interval and Palace are looking by far the more likely team to open the scoring. 

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:17

60' - Paulo Gazzaniga rescues Spurs for a third time today as he keeps out Luka Milivojevic's header from point-blank range after a Palace corner. This really hasn't been a good day at the office for Mauricio Pochettino's men so far.

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:20

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:21

GOAL! Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace (Son)

64' - Spurs make the breakthrough and it's Son Heung-min with a sumptuous left-footed shot from outside the area that bends past Julian Speroni and into the far corner.

To say that goal has come against the run of play would be an understatement.

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:23

69' - Spurs have appeared far more confident since scoring the opening goal and Palace look to have had the wind taken out of them a little bit. Can they regroup and get back in the game or will Spurs seal all three points with another goal?

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:28

70' - What a waste! Wilfried Zaha has the ball on the left side of the Spurs area but, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek unmarked at the far post, he scuffs a shot that dribbles wide. 

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:30

Liam Corless5 November 2017 13:31

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in