Spurs 1-0 Palace - report from Wembley

Key action

Save: Gazzaniga keeps out Dann – 35mins
Perhaps the early kick-off played it its part but it was certainly a subdued start to the game, with little goalmouth action. Palace appealed for a penalty when Gazzaniga caught Sakho as he went up for a cross early on, but nothing was given while at the other end, Sakho and Dann were clearing the plethora of crosses that we were sending into their box. Eric Dier got the better of the pacy Zaha on four separate occasions to nullify that threat, before the first save of note on 35 minutes. A Palace corner was met well by Dann, his header was going to creep in but Gazzaniga stretched down to his left and made a fine fingertip save.

 
Above: Paulo Gazzaniga in action.

Chance: Zaha misses empty net – 57mins
There was certainly a greater tempo to the game in the opening minutes of the second period and Gazzaniga was there again to save us on 48 minutes. A poor pass from Aurier was picked up by Townsend on half-way, he ran at Dier, shifted the ball to the left and hit an angled drive towards the far post which Gazzaniga again tipped wide. We created a few moments of danger in the Palace area without getting a clear-cut chance before the visitors spurned a great opportunity. Aurier again misplaced a pass, Townsend quickly set Zaha free, he rounded Gazzaniga on the edge of the area but, with the goal gaping, sent his effort wide.

Goal: Spurs 1-0 Palace – Heung-min Son – 64mins
It was Palace who were looking the more likely to score and when Luka Milivojevic rose at the back post following another corner, it needed another excellent stop from Gazzaniga to deny him. But moments later, we finally found that one clear chance – and buried it. The ball was flying across the area from side to side before Sissoko slammed it back into the danger zone, Yohann Cabaye cleared only as far as Son on the edge of the box and he curled a delightful left-foot shot past Speroni.

Chance: Son fires wide – 82mins
The goal opened the game up further as Palace pushed forwards in search of an equaliser and we needed to be alert defensively as the pace of Townsend and Zaha was always a threat. But, in turn, gaps were appearing for us at the other end and when Jan Vertonghen won possession and released Son, he was clear on goal. He shaped to go across the goalkeeper but then fired towards the near post, his shot hitting the side-netting.

Mauricio Pochettino said

"The win was so important, a massive three points for us. We can talk about different things but after a few difficult circumstances the answer was fantastic from the squad. That pleased me the most, because it’s about the squad and today the squad was amazing. We won the because of the squad."

Harry Kane said

"It was a big game – a big game for momentum so to win that was fantastic and we can go away happy into the international break. It wasn’t the prettiest of performances but it’s a win and that’s all that matters. Sonny's goal was fantastic. I've said it before – left and right foot, he's unbelievable and it was a great touch to set it up, he whipped it in and gave the keeper no chance."

Match data

Spurs: (3-4-2-1): Gazzaniga, Sanchez, Dier, Vertonghen, Aurier, Winks (Dembele 46), Eriksen, Rose (Davies 90+2), Son, Sissoko, Kane (c, Llorente 76). Substitutes (not used): Whiteman, Trippier, Foyth, Nkoudou.

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Speroni, Ward (Sako 76), Dann (c), Sakho, Fosu-Mensah, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Schlupp, Loftus-Cheek, Townsend, Zaha. Substitutes (not used): Hennessey, Tomkins, Souare, Riedewald, McArthur, Puncheon.

Goal: Spurs – Son 64.

Yellow cards: Crystal Palace – Townsend, Schlupp.

Referee: Kevin Friend.

Attendance: 65,270.

Man of the match

With 55 per cent of fans' votes on social media, debutant goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga was named Man of the Match.