Tottenham Hotspur have overcome a stubborn Crystal Palace side at Wembley Stadium, eventually emerging victorious by a 1-0 scoreline.
Palace wasted numerous chances, with Wilfried Zaha missing an open goal in the second half, while the Eagles were valiant in defence as they minimised the threat offered by Harry Kane.
However, the only goal of the game was netted by Son Heung-min, who curled the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards for just his second league strike of the campaign.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in North London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Spurs head into the game having gotten the better of Liverpool and Real Madrid at Wembley, but they are still yet to convince against lesser sides. Can Palace cause a surprise at the national stadium? Let's see who Mauricio Pochettino and Roy Hodgson have selected today...
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Gazzaniga; Sanchez, Dier, Vertonghen; Aurier, Winks, Sissoko, Rose; Eriksen, Son, Kane
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Whiteman, Davies, Foyth, Trippier, Dembele, Nkoudou, Llorente
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Sakho, Fosu-Mensah; Loftus-Cheek, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Schlupp, Townsend; Zaha
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBSTITUTES: Hennessey, Tomkins, McArthur, Souare, Sako, Puncheon, Riedewald
Well then, where do we start with that?! We knew that Pochettino would be forced into some changes but we didn't anticipate that Dele Alli would be absent from the Spurs squad. It is due to a hamstring injury. It means that Son Heung-min takes his place.
There was every expectancy that Michel Vorm would replace the injured Hugo Lloris between the sticks, but Paulo Gazzaniga gets the nod due to a knee injury picked up by Vorm. The former Southampton stopper will be making his first start in a Spurs shirt.
Pochettino has also opted to include Serge Aurier and Danny Rose on the flanks, with Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies dropping down to the bench. Rose will be making his first start in the Premier League since recovering from a knee injury which had kept him out since January. Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko get the nod in the centre of the pitch, with Mousa Dembele having to make do with a place among the replacements.
It's not often a fourth-choice goalkeeper makes an appearance in a matchday squad but that is the case with Alfie Whiteman. The 19-year-old is yet to make an appearance in senior football so this is a massive occasion for the youngster. Juan Foyth also features on the bench, still waiting for his first outing in the top flight, while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou will also hope to make a rare appearance.
As for Palace, Hodgson makes two alterations to his starting lineup, with Mamadou Sakho and Timothy Fosu-Mensah both being included due to an injury to Patrick van Aanholt and James Tomkins being dropped to the bench.
We will have to wait to see how Palace will line up. Fosu-Mensah could potentially be used at full-back or as a third centre-back. If he features in the centre, Jeffrey Schlupp could feature at wing-back. At least Hodgson has options to tinker with his team if things are not going as planned.
Due to Christian Benteke's knee problem, the attack pretty much picks itself with Wilfried Zaha being forced to lead the line. Andros Townsend is sure to be in close proximity to his teammate after being selected against his former team.
All things considered, Hodgson is able to name a strong bench, despite the lack of a striker. Bakary Sako will likely be used if an offensive change needs to be made, while Jason Puncheon will hope to mark any introduction with another Wembley goal after scoring in the 2016 FA Cup final.
Spurs may have defeated the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and Real Madrid at Wembley but they are yet to convince against a lesser side. West Ham won in the EFL Cup, while Burnley and Swansea City have both claimed draws at the national stadium. It gives Palace more than a glimmer of hope...
As well as losing to the Hammers, Spurs were also defeated by Chelsea at the start of the campaign. It means that Pochettino's side have lost both of their home London derbies this season. Again, there is more hope for Palace and given their current predicament, they have to take any encouragement that they can.
That said, don't be fooled into thinking that Pochettino cannot get his players up for a derby. Spurs have claimed nine wins and four draws from 14 home derbies in the Premier League since the arrival of the Argentine.
However, Spurs are not necessarily fans of facing a team which sits at the bottom of the table. Since the start of the Premier League, the North Londoners have lost four home games to clubs holding up the standings, the second-worst record in the history of the division.
There's no doubting that the absence of Alli is a blow to Spurs but Son Heung-min is an exceptional replacement. The South Korean international has contributed just two goals this season, but the 25-year-old was instrumental in the demolition of Liverpool last month and likes playing on the open pitch at Wembley.
Another playing to hit the headlines recently has been Winks. Spurs have been looking for one of their younger crop to become a first-team regular and the midfielder has done just that. The 21-year-old is already said to be attracting interest from high-profile clubs, but Pochettino is keen for the player to keep "his feet on the grass".
Spurs are without two of their main defensive players today, but Pochettino has a record to maintain. Palace have never scored an away goal against a team managed by Pochettino, whether that be with Southampton or Spurs.
To coincide with that, Palace have also failed to score in their last four league visits to Spurs, with their last goal coming in a 1-1 draw all the way back in 2004. Their last win came in 1997 thanks to a Neil Shipperley goal.
It has been well documented that Palace have failed to score in an away game in the Premier League this season, and they are one away from equaling Derby County's record of six matches, which came in 2007.
You have to go all the way back until last April since Palace scored on the road. That came in a win over Liverpool when Benteke got on the scoresheet. It has been 646 minutes since that goal...
However, I'm assuming that you want some positivity, Palace fans, so I will try to bring it you. Despite spending 2017 in the lower reaches of the table, Palace have claimed 12 points from top-six teams - the third-best record in the division. If only they could defeat their nearest rivals...
Palace have also been much improved since the return of Zaha. The winger has helped the Eagles pick up four points from games against Chelsea and West Ham, albeit at Selhurst Park. Spurs and Pochettino are known admirers of Palace's star man so he will want to make an impression on one of the biggest stages in football.
Manager Hodgson also enjoyed an excellent run of results at Wembley with England. During his closing 12 months in charge, the 70-year-old recorded victories over the likes of France and Portugal, the two eventual finalists of Euro 2016. They both came in friendlies but still, Hodgson knows how to win at the national stadium.
So do Palace as well. The club gained promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Watford in the Championship playoff final in 2013, while they defeated the same opponents in the 2016 FA Cup semi-finals before losing to Man United in the final.
PREDICTION! The likes of Townsend and Zaha may relish the space behind the wing-backs, but we cannot see Spurs failing to win this game. It's important for Pochettino's side to get a win on the board before the rest of today's fixtures and we are backing a 3-1 victory for the North Londoners.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents just the 51st time in which these sides are meeting in a competitive fixture, with Spurs claiming 26 wins in comparison to 11 victories for Palace. Spurs have been equally dominant in recent matches, too, with six successes and a draw coming from nine contests.
Both clubs may possess quality in the final third but do not get your hopes up for a goalfest. Four of the last five matches have ended in a 1-0 scoreline! You have to go back to 1989 for the last time that five goals were netted in a game between these sides.
The two teams have made their way out at Wembley. It's certainly not full but we have at least 75,000 in the stadium for this London derby. We will be getting underway very shortly.
A reminder of the team news...
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Gazzaniga; Sanchez, Dier, Vertonghen; Aurier, Winks, Sissoko, Rose; Eriksen, Son, Kane
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Sakho, Fosu-Mensah; Loftus-Cheek, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Schlupp, Townsend; Zaha
KICKOFF! Palace get us underway at Wembley.
Palace have started well and have already began to impose themselves on the game. A free kick was won in a central position around 40 yards from goal but Spurs defended the situation well.
More danger signs for Spurs with Zaha delivering an excellent cross for Sakho, who just misses out on heading past Gazzaniga, instead colliding with the goalkeeper who didn't look confident at all.
Spurs finally get a foot on the ball and it sees Kane glide down the left flank, nicking the ball past one player before a sliding challenge halts him going past another. That got the crowd involved.
Fair play to Palace, they are not taking a backwards step in these early stages. Townsend was almost released down the right flank with Rose getting back to clear the danger.
We finally see Rose in the final third and his first contribution is to direct a teasing cross into the middle. The ball is about to go across the six-yard box, but Dann reacts fastest to kick the ball into touch.
SHOT! The ball sits up invitingly for Kane but his 30-yard volley is straight at Speroni. It was nothing more than speculative but when you are as good as the 24-year-old, you can shoot from where you want to.
We haven't seen too much of Winks so far. The man of the moment is having to remain patient in the middle of the pitch as both teams show a preference to use the flanks.
Spurs are beginning to attack at will down the left but once again, the cross - this time from Son - is well dealt with by a Palace defender. The home side are starting to get on top.
For the first time, we see Zaha attempt to out-pace the impressive Sanchez and the defender is having none of it. The 21-year-old has been superb since signing from Ajax in the summer.
Palace win a corner on the left but first, the referee insists on giving Rose a talking to for something that wasn't all that obvious. The left-back is prepared to argue his point, but Kane has to be brought in to calm his teammate down. Nothing came from the set piece.
We now have a stoppage in play while Winks receives some treatment on what appears to be an ankle injury. I think he will be fine to continue but the added-on time is already been totted up.
The break in play has only benefited Palace, who are looking increasingly comfortable on the ball. We mentioned earlier that there are rarely many goals in this fixture and that is how it is turning out so far.
Now Kane has picked up a knock to his shin. It's very stop-start. Again, I think the Spurs man will be ok to remain on the pitch but it was a sore one.
The only shot on goal remains that long-range effort from Kane early in the game. Palace are doing a really effective job on the home side, much better than Real Madrid.
For those of you wondering, Palace are playing with a back four, with Fosu-Mensah on the right and Ward on the left. Both players are seeing plenty of the ball, both in defensive and offensive areas.
Spurs are having plenty of possession of the ball as well but their approach play is starting to become a little forced. Eriksen and Son just can't get into the game.
CHANCE! This is one of the most unlikely combinations but it almost pays off. A cross from Aurier towards the back post finds the run of Rose, but the left wing-back sends a header well wide of the near post.
Aurier is starting to find himself in more advanced positions. Zaha and Schlupp are going to be ready to exploit the extra space if the Ivorian gets carried away.
CHANCE! Spurs are starting to build some pressure. Rose's cross is only half cleared to Kane and although the forward must head towards goal rather than letting the ball bounce, he heads just over from 14 yards.
SAVE! Palace almost take the lead against the run of play! A corner from the right finds the head of Dann, who jumps above Dier, but Gazzaniga pulls off a one-handed save to prevent the defender's header from finding the bottom corner.
That opportunity was a reminder for Spurs that while they are having the better of this game, Palace have goals in them. That chance for Dann was the biggest chance of the first half.
Spurs are back in the ascendancy but I think Palace are trying to shut up shop until the break. The visitors have been excellent from a defensive point of view. They won't want their hard work to go to waste.
For all of Palace's good work in their own final third, we haven't seen much of Zaha at the other end of the pitch. I expected the winger to put on a show today, but he has barely had a kick.
This is poor from Son. The South Korean only has to slide the ball across to Kane but a moment's hesitation leaves Son unable to bend the ball around the defender.
There will be two minutes of added-on time. Surely there should have been more than that?!
Palace win a free kick on the left flank after a foul by Aurier, but Cabaye's cross is straight into the hands of Gazzaniga.
BOOKING! Townsend goes into the book for pulling the shirt of Sissoko. Easy decision for the referee.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Crystal Palace
The half-time whistle goes at Wembley and we remain goalless. The half improved as we went on, but both teams have struggled to create opportunities. Spurs need to find an extra gear.
If anything came from that first half, it's that Spurs miss Alli when he isn't available. That same spark just isn't there. Eriksen has been as ineffective as he has been all season while Kane has been feeding on scraps.
After a fine defensive performance, Palace managed to create the best opportunity of the half through Dann, who saw a header brilliantly saved by stand-in stopper Gazziniga. The defender couldn't have done any more with his effort, which had seemed destined for the bottom corner.
If Spurs cannot find a breakthrough at the start of the second half, it won't be long before changes are made. Kieran Tripper may find himself thrown into the action with the right wing-back having six assists to his name this season.
Pochettino has decided to act, with Dembele replacing Winks. I'm assuming the youngster's ankle knock may have influenced the head coach's decision.
KICKOFF! Spurs get us back underway.
Spurs are straight onto the offensive with Fosu-Mensah having to concede an early corner. Eriksen's delivery is decent enough but the ball is cleared.
CHANCE! Palace respond with a counter-attack led by Townsend. The winger decides to go it alone and after beating Dier, his low strike towards the bottom corner is kept out by Gazzaniga, who makes another excellent save down to his left.
I was about to say that Palace cannot afford to sit too deep in this second half, but Hodgson wants all three points from this. Spurs are having most of the ball, but the visitors have created the best two chances.
This second half is warming up nicely. Spurs are starting to get the ball into better positions in and around the penalty area but Dann and Sakho are clearing everything.
CHANCE! The ball falls for Sanchez in the box but the defender decides to let the ball bounce and eventually gets in the way of Son. Missed opportunity.
Sakho has been superb in defence and he is now popping up at the other end of the pitch. Vertonghen needs to be alert to prevent the centre-back from heading home from close range.
BOOKING! Schlupp makes a mess of a clearance and ends up dragging down Aurier before he advances into the penalty area.
CHANCE! Zaha has missed an open goal! It's two-on-two and Townsend's through ball releases Zaha but after taking the ball around the advancing Gazzaniga, the winger misses the target from 18 yards. What a chance.
I tell you something. Townsend has been immense today. He whips in a near-perfect cross for Zaha who is trying to run into the six-yard box but the ball evades everyone.
CHANCE! Another chance for Palace. A corner is inadvertently diverted into the path of Milivojevic by Dier, but the Eagles midfielder sees his header saved by Gazzaniga. Spurs are all over the place.
Back come Spurs through Sissoko but the Frenchman's cross towards Kane is intercepted by a defender, again.
I have no idea how we remain goalless. Palace could have easily scored four, while Spurs are seeing cross after cross blocked.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Crystal Palace (Son Heung-min)
Spurs open the scoring! The Palace defence make more blocks but the ball falls to Son on the edge of the box, and the South Korean finds a way through with a 20-yard curler into the bottom corner. It's unstoppable.
Hodgson has decisions to make on the bench but really, he shouldn't feel the need to make any changes. Palace remain the better side, they just need to take one of their chances.
That said, if Spurs score a second, it's game over. They certainly appear more confident since the goal. The fans are naturally more jubilant too. Frustration had started to set in.
CHANCE! Zaha is still causing problems but on this occasion, he gets caught in two minds before eventually sending a weak effort well wide of the far post.
More pressure from Palace comes through Cabaye, who plays in Schlupp down the left. However, the ball doesn't really fall for the wideman and Spurs deal with the danger.
SHOT! This is ambitious from Cabaye but I suppose it was worth a crack. The Frenchman found space on the edge of the box but his 30-yard effort went wide of the post.
Spurs look dangerous on the break but Palace are starting to dominate this game again. They deserve at least a point from this match. A couple of corners come to nothing.
SUBSTITUTION! It's time for Sako, who replaces Ward. Palace are going for it.
SUBSTITUTION! This is interesting. Pochettino opts to replace Kane with Llorente.
Zaha has gone out wide with Sako going down the middle. It gives Zaha a chance to run at Rose and he soon wins yet another corner for his side. Dann meets the ball but his header is always going off target.
We are into the final 10 minutes now and Spurs have a job on their hands to see out this fixture. However, the home side are finding more space to launch counter-attacks...
CHANCE! Vertonghen wins the ball on the halfway line and sends Son clear of the defence. The attacker has all the time in the world but drags a shot into the side-netting from 10 yards out.
Slowly but surely, this game is starting to get away from Palace. They have lost their momentum and Spurs are beginning to create more chances through mistakes from the visitors.
Palace are stacked with offensive players on the pitch but their earlier balance has been completely lost. Hodgson may have been better keeping things the same.
If the scoreline remains the same, this will be the fifth 1-0 scoreline between these teams in six matches. It's a remarkable run of results!
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
SUBSTITUTION! A final change for Spurs sees Davies replace Rose. Spurs have possession and this game looks done.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Crystal Palace
The full-time whistle goes at Wembley Stadium and Spurs have held on to record a 1-0 win over Palace, who did not deserve to lose this game. Hodgson will take the positives, but it is another game without an away goal for the Eagles. Spurs remain in third, but now sit level with Manchester United.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope that you can stick around for the rest of today's Premier League fixtures.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
