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Archie Gray scored his first goal in senior football to give Tottenham and under pressure boss Thomas Frank a vital victory to Crystal Palace this afternoon.
Gray pounced three minutes before the break to give the visitors a victory they just about deserved despite an inconsistent performance. Palace were the dominant team for long periods, but Spurs were very threatening at the break, with Richarlison netting two goals for offside and Wilson Odobert seeing a late effort return to the post.
This victory propels Spurs to 11th placeone point and two places behind Palace.
Palace starts well but fails to break through
Palace dominated the early stages, looking down on the ball and holding Spurs back and yet it was the visitors who almost grabbed the opener after 16 minutes. Pedro Porro provided the cross from the right and Richarlison slipped the ball home only for the celebrations to be stifled by VAR ruling out the goal for offside against Lucas Bergvall in the build-up.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was causing problems for the Tottenham defense and he fired a shot inches wide three minutes later.
The Frenchman then headed towards midfielder Will Hughes who went off target with a shot as Palace continued to threaten.
Spurs had offered very little in advance but ensured they went in front at half-time when Richarlison nodded a partially cleared corner back for Gray to glance past Dean Henderson from close range.
Clyne and Devenny pump up their lines
Palace should have leveled things 11 minutes into the second half.
Yeremy Pino broke free down the left and delivered a smart cross that was perfect for Nathaniel Clyne to head home. Instead, the former England full-back nodded past Justin Devenny, but his shot on the turn flew over.
Palace remained on the front foot and Maxence Lacroix should have done better than heading in Jefferson Lerma’s cross 20 minutes from time.
The second half was like the first with Spurs playing on the clock and it almost resulted in a second goal after 75 minutes.
A quick break saw Gray find Mohammed Kudus on the right and his delicious delivery with the outside of the boot was perfect for Richarlison to head home. Once again the Brazilian celebrated and his effort was once again ruled out for offside.
Palace’s challenge petered out and Odobert went close again for Spurs, running onto Richarlison’s head and firing a shot that beat Henderson but not the left post.
Henderson then had to be vigilant to keep away a stinging shot from Rodrigo Bentancur.
