Son Heung-Min plays the hero role, Tottenham leaves Man City 5 points behind

Score
Crystal Palace:Ayew (90+4')
Tottenham:Ward (53', own goal), Son (66')

Tottenham were rated much better than Crystal Palace in the earliest match of round 10 of the Premier League, but the visitors were at a disadvantage in the first half. It was Palace who had many situations to put pressure on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's goal but could not take advantage of the opportunities to score.

Ange Postecoglou's side went into the break with a goalless draw after an unconvincing first half, but quickly showed the difference in the second half. Tottenham took the lead in the 53rd minute through an own goal by Joel Ward.

Spurs captain Son Heung-Min then scored his eighth goal of the season in the 66th minute after being assisted by new signing Brennan Johnson, who had only come on for two minutes. With a two-goal lead, Tottenham eased the tempo in a bid to preserve the lead, but Jordan Ayew equalised for Crystal Palace in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Midfielder James Maddison, although not getting his name on the scoresheet, was involved in both goals, thereby helping the former Leicester player once again receive the title of best player of the match.

Tottenham's eighth win in 10 games took them to 26 points and their best start to a top-flight season since 1960/61. They are now five points clear of champions Manchester City, who face United in the Manchester derby on Sunday, and Arsenal, who host bottom club Sheffield United on Saturday.

Line-up

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1):Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell (Clyne 70'); Doucoure, Lerma (Franca 79'); Ayew, Hughes (Ahamada 79'), Schlupp (Rak-Saki 60'); Edouard (Mateta 79').

Tottenham (4-3-3):Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies (Royal 46'); Sarr, Bissouma (Hojbjerg 64'), Maddison (Gil 89'); Kulusevski (Bentancur 90'), Son, Richarlison (Johnson 64').