Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Spurs Seal Europa League Spot

Tottenham secured qualification to next season's Europa League despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, with Wolves losing 2-0 at Chelsea.

The visitors were rewarded for their bright start when Harry Kane scored his fifth goal in three games after he was intricately picked out by Giovani Lo Celso, finishing ruthlessly past Vicente Guaita.

Palace responded well to going a goal behind and mounted some considerable pressure on the Spurs defence. Despite their superiority, there was a sense of control within the Lilywhite ranks which meant Jeffrey Schlupp's effort from the edge of the area was the only notable chance from the Eagles in the opening period.

The hosts restored parity swiftly after the restart as Spurs failed to deal with a deep Palace corner before Schlupp crashed home from close range to score the Eagles' first goal in four games.

Chances came few and far between at both ends as the visitors seemed content to settle for a point, presumingly knowing what was going on at Stamford Bridge, with a 1-1 draw thrusting Spurs into sixth and next season's Europa League.

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CRYSTAL PALACE

Key Talking Point

Despite their woeful form since the restart, some of Palace's recent displays have provided reason for optimism heading into next season. Sunday afternoon's showing against Spurs was one of those performances.

The Eagles were mightily impressive after going a goal behind, with their ability to combine and bypass an astute Lilywhite press ensuring they could progress upfield efficiently. Overall, Roy Hodgson's men found a healthy balance in possession, offering a threat in behind and committing men forward in transition which troubled an improving Spurs backline.

Fluid going forward and compact going the other way, there was a lot to like from this Palace display. One that stands them in good stead heading into 2020/21.

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Crystal Palace Player Ratings

Starting XI: Guaita (6); Ward (7), Kouyate (6), Dann (7), Mitchell (6); Townsend (7), McCarthy (6), McArthur (8*), Schlupp (6); Ayew (7), Zaha (7).

Subs: Riedewald (6), Milivojevic (N/A).

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James McArthur

His performance may have been limited to 71 minutes, but McArthur - an unsung hero in this Palace side - enjoyed a fine outing against the Lilywhites.

He was typically gritty in the middle of the park and it was his work in all phases which helped the Eagles eventually gain a foothold in proceedings. There's no doubting the hosts won the midfield battle as a result of McArthur's work, as the Scotsman served as somewhat of a metronome on Sunday afternoon.

The midfielder was superb at picking the ball up in deeper areas and bypassing the Spurs press, before delivering passes into the Eagles attackers either crisply on the ground or deftly in behind.

An accomplished showing overall.

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TOTTENHAM

Key Talking Point

With the help of Chelsea, Spurs got what they needed and, as Sky commentator Andy Gale noted just prior to the conclusion, that's something we could be hearing a lot more of in N17 as long as Jose Mourinho remains at the helm.

While there were minimal bright sparks in possession - with the Harry Winks-Moussa Sissoko pivot particularly struggling - Mourinho's men did show some improvements in regard to their pressing. They pressed astutely rather than intensely, although they certainly attempted to win the ball higher up the pitch more often on Sunday afternoon compared to previous weeks, and the Lilywhite attackers were able to pinch the ball off Palace in the build-up early on in proceedings.

Their work off the ball was crucial in Kane's opener and, although Palace started to find ways to progress the ball upfield, the Spurs defence defended the box stoutly which meant Hugo Lloris was rarely called upon.

It was pretty dire, but Mourinho's men got what they came for. The celebrations at the final whistle among the Portuguese boss and his staff showed the importance of securing a Europa League berth for this Spurs side.

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Tottenham Player Ratings

Starting XI: Lloris (6); Aurier (7), Alderweireld (6), Dier (7), Davies (7); Winks (5), Sissoko (4); Moura (7), Lo Celso (6), Son (6); Kane (7*).

Subs: Bergwijn (6), Skipp (6), Dele (N/A).

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Harry Kane

Oh, he's really back.

All the signs in recent weeks have pointed towards Kane rediscovering a level of performance akin to his 2017 imperious best and his strike at Selhurst Park only emphasised this.

The manner in which he adjusted his feet to work an opening and finish with the utmost efficiency was frightening. It was emphatic and the strike of a man seemingly out to prove a point.

While his impact on the contest was limited thereafter, his goal was the shining light amid a pretty uninspiring Lilywhite display to round off the campaign.

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Looking Ahead

That's a wrap, folks! Neither side will be in competitive action until the Premier League resumes in September. Time to get on those beaches - responsibly, of course.

Source : 90min