Tottenham Beat Crystal Palace To Move Five Points Clear At Top Of Premier League Table

Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Friday to go five points clear at the top of the EPL. Joel Ward scored an own goal before Son Heung-min wrapped up the win.

Tottenham Hotspur beat Crystal Palace on Friday night to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

A 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park saw Spurs go five points clear of second place for the first time in EPL history.

However, that lead will be cut back down to two points if Arsenal or Manchester City win this weekend.

5 - Spurs are five points clear at the top of the Premier League – their biggest lead on second place in the top-flight since the final day of the 1960-61 campaign (eight points), when they last won the title. Intentions. pic.twitter.com/g7V1ck6Dzk

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 27, 2023

Spurs dominated possession on Friday but did not register a shot on target until the 66th minute when captain Son Heung-min fired home his eighth EPL goal of the season following a pass from substitute Brennan Johnson.

Son's strike doubled Tottenham's lead after a Joel Ward own goal had put the visitors in front eight minutes into the second half.

Ward's own goal owed a lot to the work of James Maddison.

Some sharp Spurs pressing - led by Maddison - forced Palace to concede a throw-in deep inside their own half. From that throw-in, the ball was then worked into the 18-yard box where Maddison fired in a volley that deflected into the net via Ward's left shin.

Tottenham Hotspur players and supporters pictured celebrating during Friday's win at Crystal Palace :: IMAGO/PPAUK/Micah Crook

Spurs appeared to be cruising towards victory before a spectacular strike from Jordan Ayew gave Palace hope in added time.

Ayew's goal - awarded despite a lengthy VAR check for a possible handball - set up a nervy finale but Ange Postecoglou's men held on for their eighth win of the season.

Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham