Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham: Player Ratings as Late Schlupp Strike Earns Point for Palace
By Tom Gott
Tottenham Hotspur had to settle for a point against a resilient Crystal Palace, who roared back to snatch a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.
The two sides exchanged good chances early on, but it was a tame effort from Harry Kane which wrong-footed Vicente Guaita and ended up in the back of the net. Palace stayed in the game and searched for an equaliser before the break, and they came close to grabbing one as Ebere Eze saw his effort deflect wide off the post.
The end-to-end nature of the game continued after the break. Palace grew into the ascendency but struggled to create many good chances, which made Jeffrey Schlupp's sliced effort from close range in the 69th minute even harder to take. Fortunately, Schlupp atoned for his error by poking home from a free kick in the 81st minute.
Spurs nearly had two late winners through a Kane header and an Eric Dier free kick, but Guaita pulled out two unreal saves to keep Palace in the game and earn the Eagles a well-deserved point.
CRYSTAL PALACE
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Vicente Guaita (GK) - 8/10 - Should have easily dealt with Kane's opener, but pulled off a few outstanding saves to save the point late on. You're still thinking about the bad news, aren't you?
Nathaniel Clyne (RB) - 5/10 - Most of Spurs' attacks came down Clyne's side, and the right-back just couldn't deal with it. Disappointing in the final third as well.
Cheikhou Kouyate (CB) - 5/10 - Was chasing shadows and put in 1,000 late tackles which somehow went unpunished.
Gary Cahill (CB) - 7/10 - Relished the battle with Kane and Son and usually came out on top, winning headers and throwing his body in the way of shots.
Patrick van Aanholt (LB) - 5/10 - Couldn't cope with Spurs' advancing full-backs and looked to lose his composure midway through the first half. A tough afternoon.
2. Midfielders
Jeffrey Schlupp (RM) - 7/10 - A tricky start was quickly made up for by Schlupp, who looked very impressive going forward. Ended up in a few good areas and finally bagged his much-deserved goal.
Luka Milivojevic (CM) - 7/10 - Anchored the midfield well and impressed with his quick passing, allowing Palace's forwards to continuously run at Spurs' defence.
James McArthur (CM) - 5/10 - A little negative with his backwards passing but brought a good level of physicality in midfield.
Ebere Eze (LM) - 8/10 - What a player. Wanted the ball all the time and was prepared to run at defenders to make things happen. Unlucky to see his effort his the post but still contributed an excellent free kick for Schlupp's equaliser.
3. Forwards
Christian Benteke (ST) - 6/10 - Held the ball up well but struggled to actually link up with his teammates. Forgot about taking a knee before kick-off and ended up doing so halfway into the Spurs half.
Wilfried Zaha (ST) - 7/10 - Palace's talisman led by example. Terrorised Spurs' backline but found himself struggling to make a breakthrough.
4. Substitutes
Jairo Riedewald - 6/10
Andros Townsend - N/A
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Hugo Lloris (GK) - 7/10 - Made a handful of good saves but was visibly relieved to see Eze's strike ricochet wide. Fumbled a tough ball for the equaliser, too.
Serge Aurier (RB) - 5/10 - A little too eager with his pressing and sometimes left Spurs exposed at the back. Underwhelmed with his crossing too.
Toby Alderweireld (CB) - 8/10 - A star both in possession and in the tackle. Palace were scared to challenge him and were largely forced out wide instead.
Eric Dier (CB) - 7/10 - Made a couple of risky passes which invited unnecessary pressure, but did enough to atone for his errors.
Sergio Reguilon (LB) - 4/10 - Couldn't cope with Palace's dynamic wingers and consistently disappointed with his passing. His worst performance since signing for Spurs.
6. Midfielders
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (DM) - 7/10 - In the team to break up attacks and successfully did exactly that. Stole the show by celebrating tackles and blocks.
Moussa Sissoko (DM) - 5/10 - Looked a little off the pace and was often chasing shadows. A little fortunate to avoid a second yellow card early in the second half.
Steven Bergwijn (RM) - 5/10 - Was lacking confidence in attack but made up for it by working hard defensively. Mourinho will be pleased.
Tanguy Ndombele (AM) - 5/10 - Not at his usual best and looked to be struggling with the lack of time afforded to him by Palace's midfield. Could have opened the scoring but was thwarted by Guaita.
Son Heung-min (LM) - 6/10 - Bagged the assist for Kane's goal but will be a little frustrated with the rest of his work.
7. Forward
Harry Kane (ST) - 7/10 - Didn't enjoy much success against Palace's defence but impressed in his deeper, creative role. Kept Spurs ticking and deserved the good fortune he got for his goal.
8. Substitutes
Giovani Lo Celso - 6/10
Dele Alli - N/A
Ben Davies - N/A