Crystal Palace fell to yet another defeat against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday afternoon. However, having gone ahead through Jan Vertonghen's first half own goal, the result could have been very different, especially when Scott Dann and Mile Jedinak both hit the crossbar in the second half.
But it wasn't to be as Harry Kane equalised for Spurs, before two wonderful goals from Dele Alli and Nacer Chadli sealed a 3-1 Spurs win.
Palace's performance was much improved from previous weeks and the Eagles finally ended a goal drought that had lasted five games.
How did each Palace player perform?
Goalkeeper and defence
Wayne Hennessey – 7: Hennessey had taken criticism from his manager the previous week after two mistakes in two games led directly to goals. However, he was able to leave the errors in the past and performed solidly in the Palace goal, making two very good saves in the process, the best to deny Danny Rose's close-range volley and then another to hold onto a Harry Kane diving header. The Welshman could possibly have come to catch Nacer Chadli's cross for Spurs' equaliser – scored by Kane – but had absolutely no chance with either of the two late stunners.
Joel Ward – 6: Similarly to the Manchester City game, Ward did not face direct competition for most of the match as Tottenham played without a recognised winger, opting to allow the three attacking midfielders to roam and create space. This meant Ward was able to venture forward to help Zaha attack Danny Rose, a player that was obviously targeted as a weak link in the Tottenham team. Nacer Chadli was brought on by Spurs in the second half and gave Ward a tough time, crossing from the left for Kane to score and then cutting inside to score the game-clinching goal.
Scott Dann – 6: Dann was tasked with dealing with the threat of Kane and did so with relative ease in the first half as Spurs failed to create chances for the centre-forward. Even though Kane improved in the second half and was key to Spurs' win, Dann remained his usual composed self and won his fair share of individual duals. Almost scored in the second half when his header hit the underside of the bar, before Mile Jedinak also found the bar in his way from the rebound. A few aimless long passes which were easily dealt with by Spurs were a frustrating anomaly to a good overall performance from Dann.
Damien Delaney – 5: The stand-in captain allowed Kane to easily outmuscle him to equalise for Spurs, which was a pivotal moment in the game. Delaney also had a close-range effort blocked by Toby Alderweireld when it seemed easier to score. Turns 35 in the Summer and his days as a regular in the Palace side could be numbered.
Pape Souare – 6: Same lack of defensive duty as Ward due to Tottenham's midfield players drifting inside. Kieran Trippier was Souare's only threat defensively and the Senegalese full-back dealt with him without too much difficulty. Going forward, Souare supplied some excellent crosses which Palace could have utilised much better.
Midfield struggles to cope with compact Tottenham midfield
Midfield
Wilfried Zaha – 7: Zaha seemed like Palace's only attacking outlet in the first half and Danny Rose found him very hard to defend against. Supplied the cross which was diverted into his own goal by Jan Vertonghen and soon after created his own opportunity when he twisted Rose inside-out before lashing a shot over the bar. Composure in the opposition's third is slowly improving, as is his defensive work. Palace's best player on the day.
Yohan Cabaye – 6: Certainly not the Frenchman's best game in a Palace shirt and was easily wound up by the menacing Dele Alli, who appeared to kick out at Cabaye on a number of occasions. Played on through an injury inflicted by Alli and this probably affected his overall performance. Made an excellent last-ditch tackle to deny Heung-min Son.
James McArthur – 6: Almost gave away a goal in the first half when his poor pass almost ended with Alli scoring but Hennessey did well to deny the eventual match-winner. Other than that lapse in concentration, McArthur was his typical self, helping out in both defensive and attacking situations but was unable to have too much of an effect on the game.
Joe Ledley – 6: Similar to McArthur in the way he was good, but not quite good enough to have a real effect on the game. Palace lacked a central midfielder willing to burst forward to support Wickham and the three in midfield, including Ledley, were bettered by Tottenham's compact midfield.
Jason Puncheon – 5: Another below-par performance from Puncheon was summed up when he was dispossessed having failed to play an easy pass to Souare, and Tottenham ran up the other end of the pitch and Alli scored the decisive goal. Regularly slowed down attacks and was often caught taking too much time on the ball. A shadow of the player he was last season.
Wickham could be banned
Striker
Connor Wickham – 6: Palace played several long balls forward in the first half and Wickham struggled against the presence of Vertonghen and Alderweireld. However, even when Wickham did win a header, no one from midfield was ready to pick up the loose ball. Still does not look a huge threat in the penalty area and replays later showed he caught Vertonghen with an elbow in the second half which could prove costly for Palace if he is to miss three games for violent conduct.
Substitutes
Mile Jedinak – 5: Replaced the booked James McArthur on 79 minutes in an attempt to hold onto a point. Hit the bar when he probably should have found the net and was lethargic in his attempt to stop Dele Alli flicking the ball over his head before volleying past Hennessey. Was booked for a getting involved in a tussle with Harry Kane.
Fraizer Campbell – N/A: Replaced Cabaye at 2-1 in an attempt to score an equaliser but it was far too late for Palace. Had a soft header that Hugo Lloris held comfortably.