Tottenham 3-1 Crystal Palace: Player ratings as Spurs complete another late comeback

FROM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM - Tottenham had to stage another late comeback in order to claim victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Spurs struggled to break down their resilient visitors for the first half and then fell behind to a stunning free kick after the break before rallying late on to secure victory.

Oliver Glasner was denied a second win from two games in charge of the Eagles, who drop to 14th in the table. Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham are now only two points off of fourth-place Aston Villa.

How the game unfolded

Timo Werner should have given Tottenham the lead on 18 minutes. Spurs won the ball back after a Palace free kick and Son Heung-min picked out the German with an incredible ball over the top, but he failed to round Sam Johnstone when through on goal and the visitors were able to clear his lines.

That was as good as it got in a tense and cagey first half as the two sides went into the break on level terms.

On the other side of half-time, Werner flashed a great cross right through the six-yard box, but no one in a Tottenham shirt could get on the end of it.

The hosts were furious they weren't awarded a penalty soon after when Werner's heels appeared to be clipped by Daniel Munoz, but the referee awarded a corner instead and VAR did not recommend a change of decision.

Spurs were clicking into gear and struck the post through Son, who did well to meet a low cross from Dejan Kulusevski.

But Tottenham were made to pay for their wastefulness when Eberechi Eze fired Palace ahead. The mercurial midfielder led a counter attack before being tripped by Rodrigo Bentancur on the edge of the box, and he powered the resulting free kick into the top corner.

The search for a Tottenham equaliser began with Son finding Werner just inside the Palace box, but his scuffed shot was easily palmed aside by Johnstone.

Another chance went begging when Werner's cutback was flicked on by Son and into Brennan Johnson, who skied his half-volley from close range.

Son then dragged a shot wide from just inside the box having side-stepped away from Joel Ward as Spurs' frustrations continued.

With just under 15 minutes remaining, Tottenham found their leveller. Johnson won the ball back off Joachim Andersen and then skipped away from Jefferson Lerma before cutting it back for Werner, who smashed the ball into an open net and scored his first goal for Spurs.

And with their next attack, Tottenham went ahead. James Maddison flicked a bouncing throw-in from Emerson Royal up into the box, where Cristian Romero leapt above Ward to head home.

Tottenham wrapped up the points on 88 minutes through Son. A failed Palace clearance ricocheted off Johnson and set the Spurs captain racing in behind, this time succeeding where Werner failed in the first half and firing beyond Johnstone.

Tottenham Hotspur player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Guglielmo Vicario - 6/10 - Most of his saves came when a late offside flag was raised, but he wasn't to know that. Could probably have set up his wall a little better for Eze's opener.

RB: Emerson Royal - 6/10 - Lacked a cutting edge in the final third but was much better defensively than in the loss against Wolves.

CB: Cristian Romero - 8/10 - Defended with his usual aggression before popping up with a huge goal in Tottenham's season at the other end. Wasn't afraid to get right up against the lanky Mateta.

CB: Micky van de Ven - 8/10 - While Romero got tight to Mateta, Van de Ven went stride-for-stride with him and came out on top every time.

LB: Destiny Udogie - 6/10 - Guilty of a couple of brain lapses but his drive and thrust brought a needed dimension to Spurs' attack.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur - 5/10 - Tripped up Eze leading to the opening goal and was sacrificed shortly afterwards to get another forward on the pitch. Kept the ball well but wasn't too adventurous.

CM: Yves Bissouma - 7/10 - Put in his best performance in months, sweeping up play well and keeping things ticking in the second half after a slow first 45.

RM: Dejan Kulusevski - 6/10 - His work rate got Tottenham out of some tight situations but he was largely ineffectual in the final third.

AM: James Maddison - 7/10 - Never allowed the game to pass him by and came up with an important assist for Romero.

LM: Timo Werner - 8/10 - Would have been the villain of the day had Tottenham lost due to his awful miss in the first half, but his head didn't drop and he provided a crucial goal to get the comeback rolling.

CF: Son Heung-min - 8/10 - A fine all-round performance up front, linking play well before icing the game with a cool finish late in the day.

Substitutes

SUB: Brennan Johnson (63' for Bentancur) - 8/10

SUB: Pape Matar Sarr (82' for Werner) - 6/10

SUB: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (82' for Maddison) - 6/10

SUB: Giovani Lo Celso (90' for Bissouma) - N/A

SUB: Dane Scarlett (90' for Son) - N/A

Subs not used: Brandon Austin (GK), Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies, Oliver Skipp

Manager

Ange Postecoglou - 7/10 - Tottenham were flat in the first half but were by far the better side in the second and were rewarded for their efforts.

Crystal Palace player ratings (3-4-2-1)

GK: Sam Johnstone - 6/10 - Made some great saves before Palace's collapse late on. Not at fault for their demise.

CB: Joel Ward - 4/10 - Beaten far too easily for Romero's goal, almost seemingly unaware that he was flying in.

CB: Joachim Andersen - 3/10 - What was he thinking trying to dribble his way out of trouble against Johnson? This effectively cost Palace the game.

CB: Chris Richards - 5/10 - His recovery pace proved useful until he was caught napping for Son's clinching goal.

RM: Daniel Munoz - 5/10 - Tried to double up on Werner with Ward but his efforts proved futile in the end.

CM: Jefferson Lerma - 5/10 - Tasked with trying to wind up Maddison. Broke up play well before one crucial lapse leading to Werner's equaliser.

CM: Adam Wharton - 7/10 - So relaxed and so composed in the middle of the park. Completely at home in the Premier League and it's no surprise Palace lost a footing after he was substituted.

LM: Tyrick Mitchell - 5/10 - Didn't provide enough at either end of the pitch. Still adjusting to a new wing-back role.

AM: Jordan Ayew - 6/10 - Ran the hard yards before succumbing to injury and being hauled off.

AM: Eberechi Eze - 7/10 - What a way to announce your return. Eze didn't come up with too much in open play but he led one fine counter attack and buried one fine free kick.

CF: Jean-Philippe Mateta - 4/10 - Gobbled up by the impressive duo of Romero and Van de Ven.

Substitutes

SUB: Matheus Franca (66' for Eze) - 5/10

SUB: Odsonne Edouard (71' for Ayew) - 5/10

SUB: Will Hughes (71' for Wharton) - 5/10

Subs not used: Dean Henderson (GK), James Tomkins, Nathaniel Clyne, David Ozoh, Naouirou Ahamada, Luke Plange

Manager

Oliver Glasner - 6/10 - Palace defended well for much of the game but were punished for lapses in concentration late on.

Player of the match - Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)

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