Crystal Palace took on Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park in the Premier League aiming to grab three vital points in their push to avoid relegation.
Roy Hodgson's charges offered an industrial display at home and they appeared to have kept Tottenham at bay for most of the encounter, as Wayne Hennessey shone in the home goal.
In the end it proved to be a day for Spurs, though, as Harry Kane struck with his head late on to give Spurs victory right at the death.
Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good morning all and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Crystal Palace's clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park in the Premier League. Roy Hodgson's men are now hovering just above the relegation zone and are in desperate need of points ahead of today's fixture. As for Spurs, the Lillywhites have won an unrivalled 15 points in 2018 and are the only side yet to lose in the Premier League this year.
CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins, van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Riedewald, McArthur, Townsend; Benteke, Sorloth
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBSTITUTES: Lee Chung-yong, Souare, Delaney, Lokilo, Henry, Rakip, Kirby
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STARTING XI: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Lamela; Kane
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Trippier, Rose, Son Heung-min, Vorm, Sissoko, Foyth, Lucas Moura
So the major news for Spurs fans today is that the ever-versatile Jan Vertonghen misses out, he does not even feature in the visiting squad. Instead, Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier start at the heart of defence.
Victor Wanyama also starts too for Spurs as he continues his comeback from a long-term injury. The holding man will sit alongside Mousa Dembele in a midfield two. Going forward it's Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela and Dele Alli sitting just behind frontman Harry Kane.
As for Palace, given the club's huge injury list, Hodgson has handed a debut to Aaron Wan-Bissaka. It appears as though the hosts will play with two up top with Alexander Sorloth partnering Christian Benteke.
Jairo Riedewald also starts and we will have to wait and see whether he starts in the middle or at the back for Palace, given that he could easily be interchangeable with debutant Wan-Bissaka.
This game represents are huge moment in Palace's season really... Hodgson has done a fantastic job having lifted Palace from an almost-certain relegation position earlier in the season. Things have been a lot tougher of late, though, especially when looking at that huge injury list.
Such has been the club's plight in recent weeks, Hodgson has been able to make just three substitutions during their last five games.
Palace do have a rather impressive home record in recent weeks to help them, however. Hodgson's men are undefeated in nine of their last 10 home matches in the Premier League.
Having said that, the Eagles are winless in four league games and could suffer consecutive defeats for the first time since they were beaten in their opening seven fixtures of the season should they lose this afternoon.
Injuries have clearly been a contributing factor to some poor recent form, with Hodgson without the game-changing Wilfried Zaha too. As things stand, Palace have one win in their last six across all competitions.
A win for Huddersfield Town has put more pressure on the Eagles today, who now sit in 17th spot on 27 points with this game in hand. Victory here would lift them to 30 points and potentially back up into 14th place. A defeat less than 3-0 would leave them hovering above the relegation zone merely on goal difference with Swansea City. Anything heavier could see Palace drop into the bottom three.
Beyond injuries, goals have been a slight concern for Hodgson. Palace have only bagged 25 goals this term and the striking position has been a real bone of contention for the Eagles coach. Spurs have scored more than double that.
Midfielder Luka Milivojevic has scored in four of Crystal Palace's six league matches in 2018. He is the club's leading scorer in the league with seven goals. Frontman Christian Benteke has just two all term.
Looking at London derbies in the Premier League, Palace have kept only one clean sheet in their last 27 matches.
Alongside that, only Fulham, with 0.91, have averaged fewer points per game in London derbies than Palace's 0.92. The Eagles have it all to do today, then!
Things could hardly be rosier up in north London, though. Spurs come into this contest having beaten Arsenal and bounced back to secure a memorable draw against Juventus in Turin in the Champions League recently.
The only minor sticking point recently was the 2-2 FA Cup draw with Rochdale, which has bundled another replay into their heavy scheduling going into the vital months of the season.
Spurs have bagged an unrivalled 15 points since the turn of the year and are now the only side yet to lose in the Premier League in 2018. Spurs have won four and drawn three of their seven league games this year.
The club's only defeat in 13 league matches came at Manchester City back in December. A win here today would mount some serious pressure on both Manchester United and Chelsea who meet later today at Old Trafford.
One thing Pochettino will want to be wary of is their away record recently. Spurs have won only two of their last nine top-flight away fixtures, drawing three and losing four.
One man that has no troubles away from home is Harry Kane, who has scored 19 goals in his last 14 Premier League games on the road. During that time he has also bagged three hat-tricks, which came against Leicester City, Hull City and Burnley.
The frontman is on 23 league goals already. Kane requires just one more goal to match last season's impressive tally of 35 in all competitions.
Kane also seems to enjoy this month too. The striker has scored 13 goals in his last 12 league appearances in the month of February.
Lamela will be pleased with grabbing another start today as he continues to recover from being out from such a long spell. Prior to his hip injury, the playmaker was starting to make real strides in behind Kane. Today Lamela is earning his 100th Premier League appearance after making his debut back in September 2013.
PREDICTION! We have 15 minutes until kickoff now and it's time to make a prediction. Spurs might not have the best record on the road, but Pochettino's men have looked superb this year as their record proves. Given the efficiency of Kane, form of Dembele and the unrivalled team spirit in this side, it's difficult not to see a Spurs win on the road here. Palace are bereft of quality given their injury list so I'm backing the away side to win this comfortably 2-0.
Palace do not have the best of records against Spurs. The Eagles have lost the last five Premier League meetings between the two clubs, scoring just one goal in the process.
Spurs have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions too.
Tottenham will be looking to win three consecutive away league games against Crystal Palace for the first time in their history this afternoon. Palace will be doing their best to make this an industrial game for the visitors.
Spurs have been more of a second-half team when facing the Eagles. Tottenham have been drawing at half time and winning at full time in their last three matches against Palace.
Not long now. Here's a quick glimpse of the players warming up at Selhurst Park a little earlier:
GO TIME
Back The Plan 👉 https://t.co/EgKcQnty70 pic.twitter.com/oUiVFU2Mtb — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 25, 2018
The players are now gathering in the tunnel as we await the start of the game. As usual, expect a wonderful atmosphere at this ground.
Here's a quick recap of the teams while we wait...
CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins, van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Riedewald, McArthur, Townsend; Benteke, Sorloth
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STARTING XI: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Lamela; Kane
Hodgson has backed his players today by stating that they have the required quality to cope:
"In the 11 games still to play there will be lots of twists and turns. I am thinking of the day when I will have a full Palace squad to choose from. For now, I am trying to get by with what I have. I still think the 11 players who start the game against Tottenham are more than capable."
Pochettino, meanwhile, has pointed out his side's aim to deliver some togetherness ahead of this game:
"It will be a big battle. Roy and his staff are doing a fantastic job. We need to match them in the areas of motivation, ready to fight and then of course try to deliver our way and our game. Of course it will be very tough. It will be very important to win the three points, fighting for the top four. The three points are massive for us."
KICKOFF! Here we go then. Spurs get us moving in white, while Palace are in their usual home colours too.
An industrious start as you might expect at a freezing cold Selhurst Park. Van Aanholt does well down the left to win a corner off Alli.
CLOSE! The ball is swung testingly into the middle and a scramble ensues at the front post. The ball almost drops kindly for Sorloth, but Dier just about manages to hoof clear under pressure.
Spurs are already beginning to tick in front of the Palace box, as Eriksen and Lamela almost combine neatly to feed Alli in behind, only for Tomkins to get a vital foot in.
This game is being played at a busy pace already, as Spurs knock the ball about with purpose in the opening exchanges. Palace are pressing with energy too.
CLOSE! Alli drops deep and produces a smart turn to dupe Riedewald into bringing him down. Eriksen sends the ball into the middle, where Davies almost breaks in behind unchallenged with Townsend and Hennessey all at sea inside the box.
CHANCE! All Spurs in the opening 10 minutes in south London and this looks like it could be a long afternoon for the hosts. Van Aanholt almost comes a cropper by knocking the ball back for Hennessey, allowing Kane to intercept. It looks like the striker will slot home coolly, but his effort goes straight into the body of the home stopper.
Palace are given a bit of breathing space as they win a free kick inside the Spurs half. Milivojevic sends the delivery into the box, where Tomkins rises above Davies to head tamely into the arms of Lloris.
This has been a fairly sloppy start for Palace, especially when you consider how they tend to get underway at home. The hosts have been full of mistakes on the ball in these early moments.
Dembele is the pendulum in the middle of this Spurs side today, keeping things ticking over. The ball gets switched out to Aurier, who then feeds Eriksen on the overlap. His cross into the middle is aimed for Kane, but Tomkins gets a strong challenge in to clear.
CLOSE! Van Aanholt produces some wonderful natural width on the left and he makes light work of Aurier. The cross into the middle is a perfect one for Benteke, but he decides not to gamble and Lloris comes off his line to claim the ball.
That's exactly the sort of counter Palace need to utilise this afternoon if they want to get any change out of Spurs. The hosts do brilliantly again, this time from the right as Townsend comes inside to feed McArthur, but his first-time shot cannons into a defender on the edge of the box.
The home side are just starting to gain some traction in the game and play with decent variety. This time a long ball picks out Sorloth at the back post, although he cannot head accurately into the path of strike partner Benteke.
Spurs have been a tad sloppy in the last five minutes, with some lazy forward passes inside the Palace half. The hosts break and win a free kick off Lamela. Townsend whips the delivery towards the near post, but Davies is up highest to clear.
Wanyama finds himself in advanced position over on the right, but his cut inside can only muster a shot that goes flying high and wide without troubling an unmoved Hennessey in the Palace goal.
Again Spurs give possession away poorly and Eriksen's misplaced pass allows Townsend to counter down the right. The winger delivers into the middle for Sorloth, although Sanchez gets across to cut out the danger with a diving header.
This has been an intriguing, busy start at Selhurst Park, but we are yet to see either keeper properly tested, apart from that one chance that fell to Kane after van Aanholt's poor back-pass.
Spurs are able to converge on the home box for the first time in a while, where the ball breaks kindly for Alli. The youngster gets a shot away on the turn, leaving Tomkins to make a good block before the attempt can test Hennessey.
CLOSE! Sorloth gives the ball away needlessly on the edge of the box allowing Kane to nip in and grab possession. The linesman has his flag raised for offside just as the striker goes down under a poor challenge from Fosu-Mensah. That would have been a stonewall penalty had it not been for the flag.
Spurs have just edged into the ascendency here as they mount a number of attacks. Palace are holding well so far though...
Sorloth shows brilliant strength to brush aside Dembele of all people on the counter over on the left. It then takes a brilliant sliding challenge from Sanchez to stop the towering striker in his tracks.
Palace are definitely offering something here despite Spurs' dominance on the ball. It's Townsend who breaks this time to earn a corner, but van Aanholt cannot profit with his volley when the ball drops out of the air on the edge of the box.
Manchester United defender Fosu-Mensah has done well at the back today, apart from that iffy challenge on Kane. This time the centre-back comes across to make a timely interception to thwart Eriksen on the overlap.
It feels like only a matter of time now for Spurs, who find a nice pocket of space on the edge of the area. The ball is sent wide for Aurier, who sees his delivery cleared by Tomkins at the near post.
Palace have just dropped a touch deeper in the last five minutes, they really need to get one or two midfielders up in support of their frontmen. At the moment their midfield seem too concerned with protecting the centre-backs to offer anything of note going forward.
Tottenham are camped inside the Palace half at the moment, but Hodgson's side are showing an impressively compact shape to keep out the visitors.
Spurs focus their movement down the right channel through Aurier, but he hasn't come up with the goods just yet. Lots of the ball for Spurs, but they're lacking that final touch. The ball is soon given away cheaply and Townsend can cut inside on the right, only to shoot straight at Lloris with Benteke screaming for the ball in space.
One minute of added time here...
HALF TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
That was certainly a more entertaining first half than the scoreline perhaps suggests. Spurs have dominated but have missed some quality in the final third. Kane has been fairly quiet and the visitors have arguably tried to force the issue at the wrong moments.
Palace started poorly and were woeful on the ball, but they have improved as the game has wore on. The hosts have offered glimmers of ability on the break through Townsend and Sorloth, but they are really yet to test Lloris in the Spurs goal.
I doubt that we will see any changes at the break. Pochettino will be pleased with his side's possession, although he'll surely want more creativity in the final third.
As for Hodgson, Palace have been compact and have also offered a few examples of what they can do on the break, especially through Townsend. The home manager might be a little concerned with just how deep his side had dropped approaching the end of the half, though.
SECOND HALF! We are back moving again at Selhurst Park...
Spurs have assumed control again in the opening moments. Kane sees himself driving towards goal, but a trademark shot from distance is sent whistling high and wide without testing Hennessey.
Palace have to do more of this... Benteke is sent away on the break and he out muscles Sanchez, but Dier covers well and is able to win the ball back for Spurs.
CHANCE! The ball is sent into the middle and a kind deflection pops the ball up for Eriksen to hit in the middle of the area. The playmaker makes a real hash of his chance, though, skying over the bar when he perhaps should have punished Palace.
Much the same pattern as the first period starting to develop here... Spurs are sitting deep inside the Palace half as they try to prize open the hosts' defence.
CHANCE! Oh my... Eriksen chips a ball back into the danger zone for Kane, who is left totally unmarked with just Hennessey to beat. Somehow, the striker passes his effort wide of the post without testing the stopper. This might be one of the misses of the season... He's offside too but the linesman has not spotted it.
Palace need to rectify their midfield, there's very little pressure on the ball at the moment and it's allowing Spurs to setup camp on the edge of the area. The Eagles are really struggling to get out here.
CLOSE! Space opens up on the right allowing Aurier to break beyond the defence. The full-back lashes a shot into the middle, which eventually falls for Eriksen, who then sees another attempt hacked away by Tomkins. It's coming, surely...
Eriksen turns in a corner towards the near post, which Dier is able to get a foot to. The centre-back cannot quite turn his shot towards goal and Palace escape with a timely goal kick. A breather, finally!
It's really just the final ball that is lacking here. Kane rolls his marker and is able to feed Aurier on the overlap. The full-back should slot Lamela in behind, but his pass is poor and Palace are spared once more.
CLOSE! Aurier soon makes amends as he comes back to produce a miracle recovering tackle to deny Sorloth. The frontman breaks through the middle and the full-back is somehow able to get a vital toe-poke to prevent the striker from pulling the trigger.
SUBSTITUTE: Spurs make their first change of the game as Lamela is brought off in place of Lucas Moura. Can he inspire something in this Spurs forward line?
Frustration starting to mount for Spurs and Sanchez embodies the mood as he shunts an easy return pass straight out for a throw!
Van Aanholt slips on the edge of the box and the ball falls to Eriksen. Possession is soon moved out to Davies, whose cross is cleared for a corner.
The ball into the middle is a terrible one, however, as Eriksen sends the corner over every player in the box and out for a Palace goal kick. Are Palace dreaming of a late goal here?
CLOSE! A scramble inside the area eventually sees the ball break free for Davies, who turns and shoots towards the far post. Hennessey sees it late through bodies but gets down low to make a terrific save.
Will we see a defining goal in the final 15 minutes? A point would be a great achievement for Palace if they can hold out.
Still Spurs press forward in hope of an opener. Palace have so many players back, though, leaving the edge of the box congested and no way through for Pochettino's men.
SUBSTITUTION: Spurs make another change as Son comes on for Dembele. Spurs are going for it in the final stages...
Wan-Bissaka has enjoyed a solid senior debut at right-back and the youngster does well to leap and head clear with Son threatening to break in behind the defence.
CLOSE! Kane shows great skill inside the area to nut-meg one man, before his shot is deflected and almost upends Hennessey although the keeper adjusts brilliantly to keep out the effort down low.
MISS! Davies sends a perfect cross to the back post where Aurier is left unmarked. The full-back just has to tap the ball into an empty net, but somehow manages to get the ball stuck under his feet.
SUBSTITUTE: Palace make a change now purely in hope of taking out some time. Lee replaces Townsend.
More and more pressure now as Aurier crosses into the box, leaving Palace to somewhere scramble the ball away for a corner...
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (HARRY KANE)
There it is! You cannot say it hasn't been coming either. The corner is whipped in where Kane is allowed to drift free of Delaney and head back across goal and into the roof of the net!
We are going to have four minutes of added time here...
FULL TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
So Spurs earn the eventually winner and it would be hard to argue that their dominance did not deserve it... Palace battled hard and were a whisker away from pinching a vital point, but it was just not to be as Kane bagged his 35th goal of the season. That's going to be all from me today, thanks for joining us!
