Crystal Palace climbed out of the relegation zone courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Alan Pardew's first Premier League game in charge of the club this evening.
The visitors took the lead early in the second half as Harry Kane notched his 18th goal of the season with a precise finish into the bottom corner.
However, Dwight Gayle levelled things up from the spot for the hosts, while Jason Puncheon won it 10 minutes from time when he tucked a loose ball away.
Read how it all unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for this Premier League London derby between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur. Both sides will be desperate to win this match for very different reasons, so we should have an intriguing encounter on our hands in the late kickoff. Let's start with a look at the hosts...
Palace will certainly be hoping for a change of fortunes under Alan Pardew, who takes charge of the club for the first time in the Premier League this afternoon. It is also his first home game at the helm, and the former Eagles player is expected to be greeted with a good reception, which is not something he would have been used to at Newcastle.
Pardew inherits a side sitting in the relegation zone following a tough first half to the season that ultimately cost Neil Warnock his job. Keith Millen recorded back-to-back goalless draws in his time in temporary charge, but victories are what they need if they are to drag themselves away from danger.
Pardew did get off to a winning start last weekend in his first match in charge of the club, although he will know that he faces far tougher tests than non-league Dover Athletic over the coming months. The Eagles ran out comfortable 4-0 winners in the third round of the FA Cup, but the league is undoubtedly their main priority and that is what Pardew needs to succeed in.
Palace have a crucial run of fixtures coming up that could well have a huge say on their prospects for the rest of the season, After today, two of their next three league games come against sides also in the relegation zone, while a visit for Pardew's former club Newcastle follows that. The Eagles need to beat the teams around them in the table if they are to keep themselves safe, and they have a good chance to do that this month.
They are having trouble beating anyone right now, however, having failed to win any of their last eight Premier League games. That is the worst run of its kind in the division right now, so it is no surprise that the Eagles have slipped into the bottom three. Stretching even further back, they have only won one of their last 14 outings in the top flight, with that victory coming against Liverpool.
Goals have been a major issue recently for Palace, and with Jedinak and Bolasie both on international duty this month, that could continue to be a problem. They managed four past Dover, but in the league they have scored just three in their last eight games. Only QPR had scored more in the bottom seven than the Eagles at the start of the weekend, but the goals seemed to have dried up now.
Home form has also been poor this season, which is in stark contrast to the Tony Pulis reign in the last campaign. One of Pardew's priorities will be to restore Selhurst Park into a fortress as they certainly need to do better in front of their own fans. They have only won twice here all season, while only Leicester have amassed fewer home points.
They are coming up against a side who have enjoyed a good run on the road too. Spurs have actually been better on their travels than they have at White Hart Lane this season, with only Chelsea and Manchester City beating them away from home in the league. Those are also the only two teams to have amassed more away points, incidentally.
Today's visitors have won four of their last five away outings, all by a 2-1 scoreline with Harry Kane netting. A repeat performance today would lift them into the top four, with Southampton not in action this afternoon and sitting just two points above Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino has finally got his side playing how he wants them too, and as a result they have dragged themselves right back into the mix for a top-four spot.
Spurs began 2015 is style with a thrilling 5-3 victory over league leaders Chelsea, arguably the best game of the season so far. They were worthy of the win too, climbing up to fifth in the table and above Arsenal as a result. That is their highest position since the start of the season, and they can improve it further still this afternoon.
They do face something of a fixture pile-up in the coming weeks, however, a problem only exacerbated by their failure to beat Burnley in the FA Cup. The 1-1 draw means that a replay will follow on Wednesday, while they also have both legs of the League Cup semi-final to come before the month is out. Pochettino will certainly have to manage his squad well through that run of games.
They are full of confidence at the moment, however, having gone seven games unbeaten in all competitions coming into this match. Only the two Manchester clubs are in better form in the Premier League, with Spurs having won four of their last five outings in the top flight. They have not lost in more than a month now and appear to be on the right track for fourth.
There are still problems for Pochettino to sort out, however, and he can start with one of them this afternoon. Spurs have failed to keep a clean sheet away from home since the opening day of the season, when they beat West Ham 1-0, and will look to achieve that feat in another London derby today.
Tottenham have often found themselves needing to recover from losing position this season, so they won't panic if they fall behind in this one. Indeed, no club has recovered more than Tottenham's 12 points from a losing position this season, with the late winner in a 2-1 victory tending to be their favourite method of picking up points.
TEAM NEWS: The teams are in, and Pardew has made three changes to his side for his first Premier League match in charge. Julian Speroni, James McArthur and Jason Puncheon all come back into the side today. Spurs, meanwhile, have made five change of their own.
CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Speroni; Kelly, Delaney, Dann, Ward; McArthur, Ledley, Bannan, Puncheon; Gayle, Murray
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Mariappa, Hangeland, Guedioura, Thomas, Zaha, Campbell
TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Stambouli; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Kane
TOTTENHAM SUBS: Vorm, Davies, Kaboul, Capoue, Lennon, Paulinho, Soldado
What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, it is something of a surprise to see Zaha on the Palace bench considering the absence of Yannick Bolasie to the Africa Cup if Nations, although the winger can be a very effective impact player and I expect him to feature off the bench at some point today.
Speroni returns in goal as expected having sat out the FA Cup win over Dover, while Dann continues at the back following his brace in that match. Pardew will be looking to instill a bit more defensive solidity in his side over the second half of the season, and Pulis proved in the last campaign that these players are more than capable of achieving that.
Glenn Murray resumes up front having only recently returned from loan, while he is joined by Gayle, who was also on the scoresheet against Dover. Campbell only makes the bench, but will be hoping to get on and prove himself Pardew should he have the chance this afternoon.
As for Spurs, they make two changes at the back as Walker and Rose return to the side in place of Chiriches and Davies. The central pairing of Fazio and Vertonghen remain the same, though, and they will again play in front of Lloris today as the Frenchman looks to brush off continued speculation over his future.
Pochettino is without Bentaleb and Mason this afternoon, so it is Dembele and Stambouli is resume as the two holding midfield players, but there is a return for Townsend a little further forward. Eriksen will also prove a threat to the Palace defence, with the Dane contributing some vital goals already this season.
Harry Kane has been the star of the show so far this season, and he is unsurprisingly drafted back into the starting lineup today. He gave Chelsea a torrid time in his last outing, netting a brace to make it five in his last five league games for the club. He has now scored 17 in all competitions this season, a tally only Sergio Aguero can better for a Premier League club.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Selhurst Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Palace will be buoyed by the fact they have a new manager at the helm, and Pardew is likely to give his side a boost. However, Spurs have been in fine form recently and have been able to dig out results. I think they may be able to do that again today, so I'm going for a 2-1 away victory.
Have a look at what we had to say about this game in our video preview below:
Spurs did the double over Palace last season and have only lost one of their last seven meetings, winning for of those. Even more worryingly for Palace, they have failed to even score in their last four games against Spurs, including in a goalless draw at White Hart Lane just over a month ago.
Palace have only won one of their last six meetings with Spurs here at Selhurst Park, losing four and drawing just one in that time. Only one side is in worse form than Palace going into this one, so they will need to turn things around if they are to get anything from today's match.
KICKOFF: We're underway at Selhurst in what is a huge match for both sides. Three points would do wonders for either side, so I'm expecting both teams to go for the victory today.
There is always a cracking atmosphere in Selhurst Park, but the crowd seem even louder in the opening stages of this game. They are certainly getting behind Pardew in his first home game in charge.
SHOT! The visitors has an early sight of goal as Kane gives the ball to Dembele, who looks to open his body and bend an effort into the far corner from outside the box. However, he doesn't catch it right and puts a tame effort wide of the target.
Vertonghen concedes a free kick in a decent position, tripping Murray as the striker tried to turn away from the Spurs defender. It is quite a low way out, but it is a dangerous crossing position for the hosts here...
SHOT! The hosts play the free kick short to Bannan, but he can't fire his long-range effort on target. The wind would have made it difficult for Lloris, but it dipped comfortable wide of the mark.
The fans have been chanting Pardew's name throughout the opening stages here, which will delight the new boss following his turbulent spell in charge of Newcastle. Purely on football reasons, it appeared to be a strange decision to leave Newcastle for Palace, but he is certainly more appreciated here.
Both sides are battling away to gain control of this match, and it has been a fairly scrappy game so far. Spurs have had 75% of the ball, but Palace are keeping their shape and making it hard to play through.
Chadli looks to burst between two players inside the box before throwing himself to the floor and searching for a penalty. The referee is right to shake his head, and may have thought about brandishing a yellow card for diving there.
That incident is enough for the Palace fans to have turned on Chadli. The Spurs attacker is booed to the rafters when he gets the ball, while a subsequent tackle is greeted by the largest cheer of the match so far.
SAVE! Kane gets his first sight of goal as Townsend pokes the ball to the striker on the edge of the box. He has Eriksen in support but opts to go alone, firing a tame low effort straight at Speroni.
We've had just under 20 minutes here and we're still waiting for a first clear chance of the match. Spurs have had the lion's share of possession but haven't been able to find a way through their hosts so far.
Palace are looking to close Spurs down quickly when the visitors have possession, but they are still struggling to get hold of the ball themselves. They haven't been able to get the likes of Murray into the match at all so far.
CHANCE! The first big chance falls the way of Spurs, and they really should be ahead. Walker's low cross is deflected but not cut out by the defender, and it arrives half a yard behind Eriksen. Even so, he should score, but his hooked effort goes wide of the target.
CHANCE! Palace have a chance of their own at the other end, with Gayle bringing the ball down the left flank. He swings a cross into the middle, but McArthur can't keep his header down despite being in a decent amount of space.
YELLOW CARD! The first card of the match goes to Townsend for a pull on Kelly after the Palace defender had dispossessed him.
A cross arrives into the Spurs box from a free kick and Dann does well to get his head to it. He nods it down into a dangerous area, but Fazio bravely gets his head in the way to clear the danger.
Half a chance for Palace as again they come forward down the left flank and put a cross into the box. This time it is Murray who gets his head to it, but he can't steer his effort on target.
Possession has been evenly split in the last 10 minutes, which demonstrates how Palace have eased their way into his game. It is an even encounter at the moment, with not much in it for either side.
Good work from Dembele on the left as he charges past one man before squeezing a dangerous cross into the box. Chadli wins the first header and knocks it into a promising area, but Delaney reacts quickly to knock it behind.
Palace are struggling to get anything going in the final third here. Their two headed chances have been their only sights of goal thus far, with Tottenham's defence looking comfortable at the moment.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Palace to take the lead! Kelly and McArthur combine to poke the ball through for Murray, who finds himself with only Lloris to beat having stayed onside. It is no mean feat to beat the French keeper, though, and he makes a vital stop to deny the striker.
Lloris is called into action again for the resulting corner, although this time his task is rather more straightforward as he gathers the ball.
YELLOW CARD! Barry Bannan becomes the first Palace player to go into the book for a poor challenge on Dembele. He can have no complaints there.
We're nearing the end of the first half now and both sides have had a chance that they really should have scored. Eriksen missed a sitter for Spurs, while Murray was denied by Lloris just moments ago. There has been little to separate the two sides so far.
Still Spurs probe for a way through this Palace defence, but the hosts are not losing their shape here. Pardew will be pleased with what he has seen from his side so far.
Big shout from the home fans for a free kick and a red card as Gayle goes down under the challenge of Fazio, who was the last man. There was contact from the defender, who was the wrong side of Gayle, but the referee is right not to award anything.
There will be one minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
YELLOW CARD! Another card, this time for Dann as he tripped Kane after the striker had turned him. Correct decision again from Anthony Taylor.
HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
The referee brings an end to the first half, and it remains goalless at the break in this London derby. It has been a scrappy and untidy game so far, but both sides have had a clear chance to break the deadlock.
Tottenham were the first to create a really good opportunity in the game as they worked the ball down the right and sent a cross in for Eriksen. A deflection saw the ball arrive half a yard behind the playmaker, but he still should have done better when he hooked an effort wide of the target.
The best opening of the half fell the way of the hosts, however. McArthur managed to squeeze the ball through for Murray, who only had Lloris to beat from inside the box. The keeper was quick off his line and made a good stop to deny the Palace man, but Murray really should have scored.
Aside from that, goalmouth action has been very limited so far in this London derby. Dembele, Kane and McArthur have all had efforts on goal without really testing the keeper as both sides have struggled to break down the opposition defence aside from those two great chances.
KICKOFF: We're back underway at Selhurst Park and there has been a change at the break for the home side as Adlene Guedioura comes on for Bannan.
Almost an immediate impact from the sub as he swings a brilliant ball into the middle. Murray is lurking with intent, but Vertonghen makes a vital last-ditch clearance.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham (Harry Kane)
Palace made a bright start to the half, but it is Tottenham who take the lead through Harry Kane. He collects the ball on the edge of the box and, after getting it out from beneath his feet, picks out the bottom corner with a low strike. That is number 18 for the season for Kane.
Where would Spurs be without Kane this season? The young striker has been in sensational form recently, and that makes it seven goals in his last seven starts of the club.
CHANCE! Good chance for Palace to restore parity as a free kick is floated into the area for Dann, who nods it back into a dangerous area. Gayle is quickest to it and turns it towards goal, but his effort is straight at Lloris, who makes the stop.
Again Palace win the first ball from a free kick to nod it down into a more dangerous position. Gayle is once more the man to reach the knockdown, but his bicycle kick is blocked and runs through to Lloris.
YELLOW CARD! Stambouli is the latest name in the book for a late, rash challenge on Guedioura.
SHOT! Guedioura looks to get his side back into the match in style, picking the ball up on the left and driving infield. He moves to within shooting range, but his subsequent effort is always swerving away from goal.
Risky play from Delaney as, with Kane hot on his tail, he sells Speroni a little short with a back-pass. Sure enough, Kane chases it down and almost gets there, but the Palace keeper just about deals with the danger.
Palace have just under half an hour to change things here if they are to avoid a losing start to league life under Pardew. They have shown signs of being able to trouble the visitors, but need to turn that into goals now.
Pardew may look to use his subs in the next 10 minutes or so as he looks for a way to bring about that change. Guedioura has had a decent impact since he was introduced at the break, so the hosts will be hoping perhaps Zaha has a similar effect.
There hasn't been too much action in the last 10 minutes or so. It has been a full-blooded London derby, and that has sometimes had a negative impact on the flow of the game.
Palace really need to get the next goal in this match. It is hard to see them recovering from two goals down here, it must be said.
PENALTY TO CRYSTAL PALACE!
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham (Dwight Gayle, pen)
Palace have the equaliser from the spot! It is Stambouli who concedes the penalty for a rash challenge inside the area, although the contact with Ledley did seem to be minimal it must be said. Even so, once the foul is given his is fortunate to stay on the field having already been booked. Gayle steps up and smashes his effort beyond Lloris from 12 yards.
SPURS SUB: A change for the visitors after that goal as Etienne Capoue comes on for Andros Townsend.
Good play down the right channel from Spurs as Dembele spins away from his man before sliding a pass through for for Walker. However, Delaney comes across to make a vital block.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: Pardew turns to his bench for the second time today, replacing Murray with Wilfried Zaha.
SPURS SUB: Attacking change from Pochettino as Stambouli is taken off in favour of Roberto Soldado, who scored the only goal of the game in the corresponding fixture last season.
PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for Palace again! The ball is played across the field and, while Walker turns to look where his winger is, it strikes him on the arm. It is a borderline decision, but it wasn't in the area anyway. Puncheon receives a yellow card for his complaints.
Palace are still unhappy about that decision and the fans make their feelings known while Lloris receives treatment having gathered a ball under pressure after that penalty shout. It was a tough decision for Taylor.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-1 Tottenham (Jason Puncheon)
Palace have completed the turnaround! It is brilliant play from Zaha down the left as he beats a couple of defenders on his way inside. He squeezes the ball across to Puncheon, who fires a first-time effort into the bottom corner. That could be a huge goal in the context of Palace's season!
Is there any way back for Spurs now? They are on the verge of losing their fine unbeaten run and also missing out on the chance to move into the top top four. However, they have had an uncanny knack of scoring late goals this season, particularly away from home.
SAVE! Kane looks to catch Speroni off guard with an effort from an unlikely angle, but the Palace keeper is well placed and makes a comfortable stop.
PENALTY SHOUT! This time it is Tottenham's turn to have a penalty shout as Kane goes down under the challenge on Ledley. There was definite contact between the two players, but Kane did go down fairly dramatically.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: A third and final change for the hosts as Fraizer Campbell comes on for Gayle.
Handbags between the two sets of players here as Spurs begin to get ever more frustrated. The visitors are really running out of time now!
The fourth official indicates a minimum of SIX minutes added time. Still a chance for Spurs to get an equaliser!
CHANCE! Good chance for Palace to kill this game off! Guedioura does well in midfield to win the ball and poke it through to Zaha, who beats Fazio but can then only shoot straight at the keeper.
YELLOW CARDS! Guedioura was handed a yellow card retrospectively for a late challenge on Capoue, while Campbell and Fazio have also entered the book.
SAVE! A difficult one for Speroni late on as Capoue unleashes a swerving effort towards goal. The Palace keeper gets down well to make the save, however, and crucially holds on to it.
FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Palace hold out for the victory to give Pardew a winning start in the league as the club's manager. It is their first win in nine games and comes against one of the division's in-form sides to lift themselves out of the bottom three. What a huge victory that could prove to be in terms of Palace's season, and indeed Tottenham's as they lose ground in the race for the top four.
The hosts had to come from behind to get the victory, with Kane continuing his recent good form by opening the scoring early in the second half. However, Dwight Gayle levelled things up from the spot before Puncheon won it 10 minutes from time.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's London derby as Crystal Palace climb out of the bottom three courtesy of victory over Tottenham. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, news and analysis. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
