Tottenham wanted to grab the chance to hook Aston Villa in the battle for the Champions League places, but were headed for defeat in the derby against Crystal Palace.
After a goalless first half, Eberechi Eze pounced from a position outside the penalty area and pushed home a free-kick.
The ball went into Guglielmo Vicario’s corner and Eze had thus made it 1-0 in his first game from the start since January 30.
Tottenham now began a hunt for an equaliser. It took until the 77th minute – but then everything turned around.
Substitute Brennan Johnson won the ball, dribbled through and fed Timo Werner, who scored his first goal in a Tottenham shirt.
Three minutes later came the next home goal. Cristian Romero met a delicious ball from James Maddison and headed in 2-1 – his fourth league goal of the season.
– The first goal is a display by Johnson, but the goal should never have been scored. Palace had control of the ball, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said according to the BBC and continued:
– Now you can really hear the home crowd and it will be long minutes for Palace.
The minutes weren’t just long. The visitors also conceded the third. Johnson got the ball to Heung-min Son, who thundered away to make it 3-1.
– When the Korean gets the ball 40 meters from the goal, you know exactly what to expect, said commentator Chris Wise according to the BBC.
Afterwards, Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou spoke.
– Perseverance, faith and some quality. When they score, it’s the only time they have the ball in our half. Our reaction was brilliant. It’s a match we should have won more comfortably, he told the BBC.
With the win, Tottenham are just two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
