PLAYER RATINGS: Crystal Palace 2:1 Tottenham

Even a Harry Kane goal couldn't continue our good run of form, which came to a typical Spurs-like end at Selhurst Park this evening.

After being in comfortable, cruise control for around an hour, a Palace penalty was enough to kick-start Pardew’s men to give their manager a debut win. For Pochettino, the hard work starts again as we get back to the drawing board to dissect today's game.

Hugo Lloris – 6 – Not given a chance with either goals, but made a good save in the first half to deny Murray one-on-one. Other than that, had very little to do, but his usual self when called upon.

Kyle Walker – 6 – Good game from Walker who was one of our better defenders today. Very composed in possession, defying the belief the player has a weak footballing brain. Knew when to play and knew when to defend and it is a massive boost for us, him being back to his best.

Federico Fazio – 5 – One of Faz’s better games tonight. Won the majority of his headers (four aerial duels) and was sensible with his distribution of the ball. However, was caught out of position at times and like much of our defence, was at sixes and sevens for Palace's second.

Jan Vertonghen – 5 – Not as solid as those around him and didn’t win a single tackle this evening. Rarely troubled, but gave away some cheap free-kicks in dangerous areas. Good going forward, but still caught-out defensively.

Danny Rose – 4 – Back to his pre-Pochettino days for Rose. Was poor in possession and seemed to go to ground for every single tackle – giving away needless free-kicks at unnecessary periods of the game. Composure needed.

Bennjamin Stambouli – 5 – Was brilliant for the majority of the game. Skillful in possession and always looks to get the ball forward when he’s on the ball. The penalty may have been dubious, but by going to ground in the area – he provided Anthony Taylor the chance to give it.

Mousa Dembele – 4 – Once again, only shows glimpses of his ability. Too often looking to pass backwards or sideways. I can only count on two occasions when he drove forward in the game; and when he did, he opened Palace up.

Andros Townsend – 3 – For all the huff and puff there is very little to show for it from Andros. He did really well working back to aid Walker in defence, but going forward was non-existent. Too predictable on the ball to trouble Palace’s Kelly.

Nacer Chadli – 5 – Drifted in and out of today’s game – which seems to be a frequent thing. That being said, worked hard for the team and was able to make a difference where it mattered, with a slick assist for Kane.

Christian Eriksen – 5 – Like those around him, was under-par today. Ball didn’t sit for him at vital times and he didn’t get to influence the game in the final third. Was unlucky not to bag a goal with the scores at 0-0, but showed superb work-ethic again.

Harry Kane – 7 – Not his most polished display, but did his best to lead the line against Palace. Scored a superb goal and his hold-up play throughout the match was very promising.

Subs

Etienne Capoue – 4 – Did very little when he came on. Ambled again and he seems to operate at a lower tempo than those around him. Did little to convince in my opinion.

Roberto Soldado – N/A – Given little time to influence the game.

So the run is over, but are any of us truly surprised? Pardew’s first game in charge had home win written all over it, but we will still think that this game was one we should've won.

Hopefully the players can regroup ready for our game against Burnley on Wednesday in the FA Cup. Until then, I wish a speedy recovery to Ryan Mason – who, I thought, we truly missed today.

 

6 for Lloris???? An 8 easily. He made two excellent saves. I have been reading social media and those saying we were rubbish is a massive over reaction. Up until their penalty we were comfortable against a side who were always going to make it difficult for us to play at pace.
Walker was at fault for the winner but the penalty was an atrocious decision and kane was pushed and tripped in the box.

 

So disappointing to see us return to our old ways. After the Xmas euphoria, and being Spurs, it was bound to end in a bump sooner or later. This is precisely why we still struggle to get into the top four. Our only consolation is that some of the other top teams are dropping points as well........but what an opportunity missed tonight.
It's small wonder that Townsend's name is continually being mentioned with a move away because tonight he was so poor once again, and once again Danny Rose showed he's a ticking time bomb. Ben Davies every time for me now.
All the boys very average except Kane, who was once again a shining light.

 

Why did we sit back after we scored .. We never really got going , bit like the Burnley game but found ourselves one up .. After we scored it looked like we eased up , same as Monday night .. Insdead of upping the tempo in both games and really taking control we seem to do the opposite .. Again our poor defense has cost us and nothings going to really change till thats sorted .. Palace didn't really offer much in terms of quality themselves but still got 2 goals and missed 2 sitters , 1 in each half .. They certainly offered plenty in terms of courage and grit and that and our shabby defending is what ultimately won them the game .. Ref didn't help in hindsight but that happens .. Sometimes things go for you sometimes they don't .. Ultimately we only have ourselves to blame here and thats what makes it so frustrating .. This team still has a huge amount to learn ..

 

So disappointed as the ref won the game for Palace. The penalty decision was POOR and can't believe a PL ref would give that decision which happened in front of him. He also saw the Kane penalty call which was clearer and waved it off.....
That said, I feel Spurs were too casual and don't see the point passing the ball around senselessly without hurting the opposition. Kane had very little service and there were hardly any crosses into the box unlike Palace did. Overall, Spurs were better but the tactics was poor and this is a game Spurs would have won easily if we showed more urgency and didn't sit back after we scored. 3 crucial points dropped!

 

what game were you watching? We were absolutely shite, apart from the gaol we created nothing, didn't even look like scoring. All the usual suspects were back to playing awful. This against Crystal Palace ffs. And why has Rose suddenly found his way back into the team after Davies was playing so well?

 

Once again, in true spurs fashion, we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory! Too many passengers, and our better players failed to dominate. Definately missed mason and bentaleb, as they are strong and move forward. With Dembele the play is far too sedate, and unfortunately it was one of those performances that reverted back to a couple of months ago. Walker and Rose were poor today, the former to blame, along with Eriksen for the goal. I dont know whos taught Eriksen to tackle, but I guess with such a luxury player you want him to cause damage at the other end. All Pardew did was tell his players to fire the long ball and pick the second ball up, so it was disappointing we didnt deal with this. Need a cup win now and then 2 home winnable games?? All is not lost, but poor endeavour today. COYS!

 

Stambouli

Yes i watched the the game. sorry this chap (nice guy) is not our ;evel. Ball deck, ball air, Oppo Ball position.

Capoue. Give him the cup the games..

Cos i ain't thrown the till out on Benji.

 

Eriksen had a glorious chance to give us the lead. It was not pretty but we were not shite. A poor refereeing decision and poor play by Walker cost us. We needs signings in January as when we beat Burnley we are looking at 7 games in 23 days that could truly make or break our season.
We are still in with a shout of the top four and at least one trophy this season. Top four was never the aim this season, it was about starting to build some stability and although that means we may suffer at times, it is time we get behind the manager and take what we can from this season. A trophy, top six and maybe another trophy would be a brilliant first season.

 

Agree that this was a banana skin, that without Bentaleb and Mason, we hoped we could overcome. In a derby like this we have to match the opposition for work rate and desire but today we fell a bit short. The players have to learn from games like this and improve, both tactically and mentally. You have to be up for it 100% to win in the EPL. Shame about today but lets get back on track our next game. At least Kane got his goal ! Coys

 

Dissapointing result and performance, I believe we would have won had it not been for that penalty decision but that would have papered over the cracks as we were poor today!!
There's too many stupid players on the team, we gave away the ball too often chief offenders are: Townsend, Rose and Walker there's just not enough game intelligence in the side and a lack of leaders which is why we sit back after going ahead when we should be going for the jugular.
Crystal Palaces tactics where to load up the centre of the park to give Kane and Eriksen no room to play in and they did that well in the first half but when we went 1 up their game plan went out the window and they had to come at us and we let them, what we should have done was pressed more aggressively and look to hit them on the break but we just tried to play the game out and ride our luck which wasn't in today!!
Frustrating!!
We have a problem with Walker, he's been really poor since coming back from injury and with Rose on the other side Fazio and Vertonghen are exposed too often, that coupled with some poor midfield defensive positioning means we are always going to concede goals, we need to address that and the mentality of the side when going ahead otherwise we are always going to be inconsistent!!

 

In Schneiderlin 25 berahino 20 cabaye 15m (60m)

Out paulinho 10m soldado 12 naughton 4m lennon 6m chiriches 6m kaboul 2m holtby 5m kaboul 2m (47m) plus wages saved releasing Ade and bae.. Net spend of around ten million to save our season!!

 

Think we're selling a bit cheap there Big Fran ! But understand your point, we could sell a few and improve the squad. To improve the first eleven we need real quality and a Luiz Saurez would lift us to another level, team players are important but one special Uruguayan would be a real improvement. Dont know if it can happen, but we can all dream ! Coys

 

Dembele iv lost all patience with i just cant see the point of being good on the ball if you do absolutely nothing with it. Stambouli one of our 'clever' buys does nothing to improve the team whatsoever a totally pointless signing.
Capoue again another pointless signing doesnt offer anything at all hes not defensive not attacking not a passer.
Paulinho an utter disgrace should be ashamed after the outlay we placed on him.
Thats 4 CMs that are stealing wages at the club, who make Mason and Bentaleb look irreplaceable, i said wed need energy in the centre of the park and you know when the latter 2 arent playing these coasters step in and we get bossed.
After Kanes goal a number of the team did what they did best and masqueraded as footballers thinking that just being on the pitch is enough.
Danny Rose needs selling aswell the boys a liability his tackling was unprofessional, his attitude stinks and he simply isnt good enough to compensate for this.
Soldado waddled onto the pitch and once again failed to touch the ball, bought as the 'lone striker' id argue that he was a striker at all.
Adebyor the top earner tell me have you seen her tell me have you seen her? Another disgrace wage thief needs shifting yesterday!
Chiriches too small, a massive liability, not good enough taking up wages.
Lemon the serial let down never gonna score you the goals or set them up to get us anywhere.
Townsend the pretender to Lemons throne better touch same end product.
Bae wage thief but incredibly still better than Rose.
Kaboul the bench warming captain calamity what a waste of time.
Lamela will go down as the biggest waste of Spurs money since Daniel Levys wages.

Brutal Truthful facts, and something that A- should never of been allowed to happen in the first place such poor clueless buys.
B- must be addressed starting in this window.

The flukey wins and 1 great result against Chavs who had a serious off day but still scored 3 seem to have clouded many fans of what and where we actually are. Mings penny pinching, swapsies mentality and utter contempt he has for the fans and club is why we have stock piled so many nobodies at the club and under this regime we will never be up there.

 

Harsh reality that Fenlon , but its hard to argue with any of it . We have so many games coming up over next month or so the squads going to have to be used . Most of them have had umpteen chances all ready but this really should be it for them . Buck up or feck off ..

 

Very cheap compared to what we paid for them but that's the reality of it all we are gonna make massive losses on them all but the wages alone from now until the end of the season is amounting to probably the amount we will lose on them combined tbf. Delph and Reid could also be brought in cheap as their contracts are up and Ntep looks worth a risk at 8m. Ashley Cole vidic Richards all available for nominal fees. Lloris walker Reid JV Davies
Cabaye. Schneiderlin
Berahino eriksen Ntep
Kane

 

Again hard to disagree felon..... Major surgery required we just have no pace or guile!! Weak in cm. Suspect at the bk!!

 

I love the price tag some guys put on players. Players are only worth what others are willing to pay for them. In a lot of cases if a players wages are high than there will be no offer. Therefore the player is overvalued and can only move if we eat some of their wages or sell them at a price that is offered. For most players their true value only decreases so forget what we paid for them, admit we made a mistake and get rid or they will stay on the books.

Worst Spurs Players and difficult to get rid are

#1 Paulinho. A complete joke and we waisted a lot of money on this fable. Nobody is coming in with an offer north of 5 million but if that is even suggested snap it up. We will probably sell for 2 million and should be happy.

#2 Adeybayor. I doubt we will get a penny for him but if we can just get him off the books than that is a bonus. What a shame. Talent but just cant get it together.

# 3 Andros Townsend Get rid quick while some people still think he has some football future. Anything around 6-8 maybe attainable for some unsuspecting victim.

#4 Christian Eriksen Cash in NOW while some still believe the hype. I know people will hate this comment but trust me he is a pure luxury and we cannot afford a passenger.

#5 Kyle Walker Also cash in on Kyle while we can. I have always liked him but he cannot read the game and has too many lapses. Get rid quick.

 

The penalty was dubious but what's Stambouli doing throwing himself into a tackle like that in the box, I don't agree at all that he was brilliant for the majority of the game, he and Dembele were average and lacked the ability to move the ball with any real tempo. Not that they had anywhere to go, as usual we played with no real width other than Rose and Walker and once again our only goal came through the middle and needed a clever finish from Kane to put us in front and im starting to sense a little bit of frustration from Harry who more often than not has to do all the graft to make a goal scoring opportunity for himself. Palace sat back and let us have the early ball clearly backing themselves to hold us and then hit us on the break, once we went one up they upped the tempo and played us off the park, unlike us they stretched our defence and put us under pressure with wide play and set pieces. Simple game plan and every lower table team does it to us week after week, the only thing that has saved us from dropping points in games we probably didn't deserve to win has been the work rate and fight for every ball attitude of players like Kane and Eriksen with well taken late goals.

 

Agree on the first three but Christian Eriksen cash in now ? he is a pure luxury ? what the **** are you talking about ? the guy has saved us on numerous occasions already this year with well taken late goals with very little assistance from his team mates. He's one of the few players willing to fight for every ball for the 90 minutes and make something happen. His late winners have saved us from mid table mediocrity this year and given us a chance, that's not hype, that's a fact.