Crystal Palace 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Kane double as Spurs romp to win, Heung-Min Son also on target

Harry Kane scored a brace on his 300th Premier League appearance to help Tottenham to a much-needed victory as they emphatically overcame Crystal Palace 4-0 at Selhurst Park.

Big question marks were raised about Antonio Conte’s future at Tottenham after Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa, but Kane helped to alleviate the pressure on his boss with a ruthless display in front of goal, both goals coming in the second half.

Matt Doherty added a third before Heung-min Son broke his goal drought with his side’s fourth.

After a bright start, Spurs faded and Conte would have been relieved that his side weren’t trailing at half-time, with Palace’s heavy pressure failing to yield a goal.

Joachim Andersen’s curling effort from distance dropped just wide of the far post just moments after Jordan Ayew had forced a good save from Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

But out of nothing, really, Spurs took the lead just three minutes after the restart when Kane was left unmarked at the far post to head in an exquisite Ivan Perisic cross. It was the first time since mid-October that Tottenham had scored the opening goal in a game.

And it wasn’t long before Kane was back on the scoresheet. After being fed by Bryan Gil in the penalty area, the Spurs captain took a touch and rifled home a shot into the far corner.

Suddenly, Spurs’ tails were up and Matt Doherty added a third before Son bagged his first goal in eight league games with a left-footed volley, with Kane recording the assist.

Lloris was determined to keep a clean sheet and he played his part by repelling efforts from Ayew and Wilfried Zaha, while at the opposite end Kane was denied a hat-trick by a last-ditch block by Andersen.

The victory moves Tottenham to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United although they have played a game more, while Crystal Palace – who have yet to beat a team in the top-half of the table this season – drop a place to 12th.

Talking point – Just what Spurs needed

It’s so often said that it’s now a cliché, but goals really do change games. For 48 minutes, Palace were well on top, creating the better chances and generally looking a threat. But they failed to take them, whereas Spurs took their opportunities when they came along. And it’s no surprise that it was their ‘Mr Reliable’ who produced the goods on his landmark appearance, and was also involved in his side’s two other goals.

A perfect night for Tottenham was complete when Son broke his goal drought and the relief was written all over his and his manager’s faces.

The victory – and manner of it – will give everyone connected with Tottenham a lift and a much-needed confidence boost, but for Palace they will reflect on another occasion where they failed to win a London derby. It seems to be a case of one step forward, two steps back for Patrick Vieira’s charges.

Player of the match – Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Many were expecting an angry reaction from Kane upon his return from the World Cup, but that hadn’t really materialised – until tonight. He looks to have finally shaken off the disappointment of that missed penalty against France with a clinical double, helping Spurs to a vital win in their quest to make the top-four.

Player ratings

Tottenham: Lloris 7, Doherty 7, Dier 6, Romero 6, Lenglet 6, Skipp 6, Hojbjerg 6, Perisic 7, Son 7, Kane 8*, Gil 7. Subs: Sarr 6, Sessegnon N/A, Royal N/A, White N/A, Davies N/A

Crystal Palace: Guaita 6, Ward 6, Andersen 6, Guehi 5, Clyne 6, Schlupp 6, Doucoure 6, Eze 7, Olise 7, Zaha 7, Ayew 6. Subs: Hughes 5, Edouard 5, Mateta 5.

Match highlights

48’ – GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 TOTTENHAM (HARRY KANE): For the first time in 11 matches, Spurs take the lead – and of course it’s Harry Kane! It’s a quality cross from Perisic and he picks out Kane at the back post, who is never going to miss from there.

53’ – GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-2 TOTTENHAM (HARRY KANE): It’s Kane again! He’s fed in the penalty area by Gil, the Spurs captain takes a touch before rifling the shot into the far corner.

68’ – GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-3 TOTTENHAM (MATT DOHERTY): Doherty gets on the scoresheet for the first time this season – and surely wraps up the three points for Tottenham. Kane is involved again as he feeds Son. His shot is deflected but it falls for Doherty who makes no mistake.

72’ – GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-4 TOTTENHAM (HEUNG-MIN SON): Son is back amongst the goals! It’s turning into the perfect night for Spurs now. Kane sends a ball over the top and Son takes full advantage of Guehi’s hesitancy, running through and volleying a left-footed effort past Guaita. It’s his first goal in eight games.

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