Harry Kane and Gareth Bale ran the show as Tottenham Hotspur thrashed Crystal Palace 4-1 at home in the Premier League on Sunday night.
Tottenham started strongly and should have been leading very early in the game but Son Heung-min failed to find the back of the net after being set up by Gareth Bale. However, the first goal did come eventually, with Bale tapping home a Harry Kane cut-back in the 24th minute.
On the cusp of half-time, though, Crystal Palace managed to equalise, against the run of play, with Christian Benteke heading home a Luka Milivojevic cross. But, Bale was on the money once again early in the second half to restore Tottenham’s lead, with Kane being the provider once again.
The England captain then made it 3-1 minutes later with a sublime first-time finish from outside the box. Sergio Reguilon came close to scoring the fourth while Wilfried Zaha hit the post at the other end before Kane made it 4-1 in the 76th minute, heading a cross from Son Heung-min to seal the win which lifted his team to sixth place, two points below Chelsea in fourth.
Here’s how we rated the performances of Jose Mourinho’s men on the night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hugo Lloris: 6/10
There was nothing the veteran goalkeeper could do about Benteke’s header for Palace’s only goal of the game. Not tested much before or after that although Zaha’s effort, which struck the woodwork, will have caused some nerves.
Matt Doherty: 6/10
Was afforded plenty of space on the right flank in the early exchanges but failed to make the most of it, with his crosses leaving a lot to be desired. Allowed Luka Milivojevic time and space to hit the cross for Benteke’s goal. Did get the assist for Kane’s first of the night with a simple pass and made a few key interventions late on. Booked.
Davinson Sanchez: 6.5/10
Another promising display from the Colombian, who has been enjoying a decent run of form of late. However, he was guilty of letting Benteke get in behind him for the Eagles’ only goal of the game on the night, which gets his rating docked a bit.
Toby Alderweireld: 6.5/10
Much like his defensive partner, Alderweirled too, had a solid game for the most part but was beaten in the air by Benteke for the goal. Otherwise, coped well with the dual threat of his compatriot and Jordan Ayew on the night.
Sergio Reguilon: 7.5/10
No player on the pitch made more ball recoveries [10], interceptions [5] or won more tackles [4] than Sergio Reguilón vs. Crystal Palace.
Big defensive numbers. ?? pic.twitter.com/TkFYIhXsyk
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 7, 2021
A bright display from the former Real Madrid ace, who provided a constant outlet on the overlap and got into dangerous positions regularly. It was his cross that allowed Kane to set Bale up for his second goal of the game. Reguilon himself came close to scoring in the second half. Defensively solid as well, ensuring little got past him on the night. Makes such a difference when in the team with his energy.
Harry Winks: 6.5/10
Starting over Tanguy Ndombele, the England international did what was needed of him in the middle of the park without really standing out that much. Kept things ticking along smoothly with neat and tidy passes while being alert to any threat on the counter.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 7/10
Did the dirty work in the middle of the park, providing the platform for the attacking players to go about their job in an effective manner. Strong in his challenges, Hojbjerg made four tackles, while also effecting an interception and two clearances. Used the ball well, completing 90% of his passes on the night. Such a pivotal figure in the team.
Gareth Bale: 9/10
Gareth Bale's game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace:
54 touches
100% take-ons completed
100% tackle success
100% shot accuracy
8/9 duels won
5 ball recoveries
4 chances created
4 crosses
2 take-ons
2 tackles made
2 shots
2 goalsAnother brace at home. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/HNvY5MRy7B
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 7, 2021
The Gareth Bale renaissance continued on Sunday night as he started the game in a promising fashion. Showed some neat footwork before hitting a lovely cross to create a chance for Son, who missed. Was in the right place at the right time to tap home the opening goal before nodding in the second early after the restart.
Taken off after 70 minutes, finishing with two dribbles, three aerial duels won and a game-high four key passes completed. In fine form.
Lucas Moura: 7/10
A hard-working and industrious display from the Brazilian even though he was not always able to produce the desired end product. Pressed the opponents with great intensity, with one such moment leading to him winning the ball from Milivojevic in the build-up to Spurs’ opening goal. Made five tackles and three interceptions.
Son Heung-min: 7/10
Should have found the net from Bale’s cross just six minutes into the game. While it was the Bale and Kane show from that point on, Son continued to strive on the left wing, with his intense pressing and tireless running. Produced a fine assist for Kane’s second of the night, leading to the duo breaking Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton’s record for most goal combinations in a single Premier League season (13).
Most goal combinations in a Premier League season:
◉ Harry Kane & Son Heung-min (14)
◎ Alan Shearer & Chris Sutton (13)
◎ Ryan Fraser & Callum Wilson (12)
◎ Les Ferdinand & Kevin Gallen (11)
◎ Alan Shearer & Mike Newell (11)The Spurs duo make history. https://t.co/TEKnUFkMDD
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 7, 2021
Harry Kane: 10/10
Goalscorer par excellence, Kane also brought his playmaking abilities to the fore against Crystal Palace. Dropped deep on many occasions to set his teammates off and got the assists for both of Bale’s goals, showing his awareness in the box. Then found the back of the net with a sumptuous finish for the third goal before rounding off the game with another goal to his tally.
Finished with three key passes and now has more league assists (12) than any player across the top five divisions of European football. Top-notch.
HARRY KANE, BEST STRIKER IN THE WORLD pic.twitter.com/n88elJxTUO
— ?? (@axelthfc) March 7, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Erik Lamela: 6.5/10
Replaced Bale for the final twenty minutes. Found Son with a nice pass in the lead-up to Spurs’ fourth goal.
Moussa Sissoko: 6/10
On for Winks in the 70th minute. Solid in the middle.
Carlos Vinicius: N/A
Came on for Kane for the final ten minutes. Booked for a poor challenge in stoppage time.
