Barclays Premier League 2013/14 - Spurs edge out Palace A Roberto Soldado penalty in the second half secured a 1-0 win for Tottenham Hotspurs as they edged out Premiership new boys Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday evening. The newly-promoted side managed to held their own against Spurs, before Soldado converted an effort from the spot five minutes after the restart. Both sides had to watch on yesterday as the new top flight campaign got under way, but they found themselves in the spotlight for their opening games of the league. South Africa’s Kagiso Dikgacoi was present in the starting line-up for Palace, who made their return to the Premier League following an eight year hiatus. The home side showed no signs of intimidation and they put Spurs’ defence under trouble right from the off. Stephen Dobbie was at the byline and he tried to work a shot away from inside the box, but Spurs managed to force it away from goal in the 15th minute. Ten minutes later, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick was met by Michael Dawson, and he looped his header into the arms of Julian Speroni. Palace moved their play higher up the park, and it was Dikgacoi cannon a well taken shot, but nothing came of it. Then in the 35th minute, Sigurdsson got himself on the ball for Spurs once again and he forced a smart fingertip save from Speroni with a curling 20-yard drive. Spurs showed their signal of intent when they came out in the second half, and they had an initial penalty appeal waved away after Paulinho went down in the box from Mile Jedinak. A minute later, the Lilywhites did get their penalty after Dean Moxey’s arm connected with Aaron Lennon’s cross in the 50th minute. Soldado was the player to convert the spot-kick by sending Speroni in the wrong direction. Moussa Dembele made way for another new signing Étienne Capoue just before the hour mark, before the Palace coach played all his cards at once by making a triple change in the 66th minute. Hugo Lloris, who was rarely tested in the second half, remained on form when he trotted forward and plucked it out of the air before it got anywhere near the onrushing Phillips. Spurs held onto their lead with ease as they went on secure the three points with a 1-0 win.
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 17:20:28 +0000
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