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Tottenham 1-0 Crystal Palace: Heung-Min Son hands Spurs all three points

Son Heung-Min celebrates putting Tottenham 1-0 ahead
Image: Son Heung-Min celebrates putting Tottenham 1-0 ahead at White Hart Lane

Heung-Min Son scored on his home Premier League debut to give Tottenham a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.

The South Korean, who scored twice in the 3-1 midweek Europa League win over Qarabag, broke the deadlock with 22 minutes remaining with a left-footed effort from just inside the box to give the hosts their second 1-0 league win in succession.

Crystal Palace had not dropped a point away from home before Sunday's game, and hit the post either side of half-time, first through Yohan Cabaye and then Bakary Sako, whose fierce shot was fantastically clipped onto the woodwork by Hugo Lloris.

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Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believed his side deserved at least a point

The result leaves Spurs level on points with Palace, with nine points gained from their opening six games.

Tottenham were looking for their first home win of the season, and started the brightest against Palace, who without an out-and-out striker struggled to threaten until late in the half.

Erik Lamela forced a good stop from Alex McCarthy from 25 yards, before the Palace goalkeeper was again on hand to keep out Dele Alli's fierce effort from the edge of the box.

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Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says his side put in their best performance since the start of the season

Palace came into the game in the latter stages of the first period, and were nearly ahead just before half-time as Cabaye's fine effort from the right of the penalty area hit the left-hand post.

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Spurs had a goal correctly disallowed after the break after Harry Kane was flagged offside for his involvement in an attack before Ben Davies headed home.

The visitors hit the post for the second time in the game, and Spurs this time had goalkeeper Lloris to thank, the Frenchman tipping Sako's fine effort onto the woodwork down low to his right.

Alan Pardew greets Mauricio Pochettino
Image: Alan Pardew greets Mauricio Pochettino before the clash

The only goal of the game came with 22 minutes remaining as Son finished off a speedy counter attack with a left-footed effort from 15 yards, but questions will be asked of Palace goalkeeper McCarthy, who let the ball through his legs at the near post.

Spurs nearly made the game comfortable with 10 minutes remaining, but Alli saw his effort drop a yard wide of McCarthy's left-hand post, and the hosts held on for their second win of the season. 

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Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris believes his side deserved to beat Crystal Palace

Player ratings

Tottenham: Lloris (7), Walker (6), Alderweireld (6), Vertonghen (6), Davies (6); Alli (6), Dier (6); Lamela (6), Son (8), Chadli (6); Kane (6) 

Subs: Carroll (5), Njie (5), Eriksen (6)

Crystal Palace: McCarthy (5); Kelly (5), Hangeland(5), Delaney (5), Souare (5); McArthur (5), Cabaye (6); Zaha (5), Puncheon (5), Sako (6); Bolasie (5) 

Subs: Mutch (5), Campbell (5), Bamford (5) 

Man of the match: Son Heung-Min