Tottenham Hotspur maintained their winning streak with a commanding performance against Crystal Palace, building on previous victories over Coventry City and Chelsea. Spurs capitalized on an early red card shown to Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 13th minute, allowing Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke to secure the win. The dominant display featured 79.4% possession and a club-record shot differential since tracking began in 2003-04. Despite the progress, De Zerbi warned his squad that they must improve their clinical finishing in front of goal.
Key points
High-profile midfield additions Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes are settling into form…: High-profile midfield additions Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes are settling into form following Tottenham's £300m summer transfer investment.
Substitute Dejan Kulusevski provided a significant boost to the squad by making a success…: Substitute Dejan Kulusevski provided a significant boost to the squad by making a successful return from a long-term injury layoff.
Roberto de Zerbi stressed that his team must become more clinical when finishing chances…: Roberto de Zerbi stressed that his team must become more clinical when finishing chances despite their recent tactical dominance.
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- Published
The long wait is over. After almost 21 months, Tottenham Hotspur have won three Premier League games in succession again.
Spurs cruised to victory on Saturday against Crystal Palace, who were reduced to 10 men after 13 minutes when striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off for an ill-judged lunge at Micky van de Ven.
It means Tottenham have moved into the dizzy heights of the top half of the table.
Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke scored as Spurs built on a platform established by their first league win of the season at home to Coventry City, then fortified by the outstanding victory at Chelsea - only Spurs' second league triumph at Stamford Bridge in 36 years.
But the prevailing mood inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before kick-off against Palace, undoubtedly shaped by the past, was that the visit of a struggling side represented a banana skin rather than an opportunity.
Tottenham's players weren't having that, though. Not a bit of it. Instead, Spurs grasped gratefully at the helping hand offered by Mateta's recklessness to end up…
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