Son on target again as Tottenham defeat Crystal Palace 2-1

An own goal by Joel Ward proved pivotal as Tottenham Hotspur secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, extending their lead by five points at the top of the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou's team displayed a remarkable second-half performance, marking their fourth successive win against the struggling Palace side.

Roy Hodgson, having managed four different teams, stood against Postecoglou, whose senior debut as a player preceded his Tottenham counterpart's tenure.

The vast managerial experience of Hodgson, spanning almost half a century, was evident in the first half, as his Palace side effectively held off any threatening attempts on target.

Before the break, the match saw limited action, with Odsonne Edouard's early attempt, saved by Guglielmo Vicario, being the highlight. Notably, Selhurst Park had yet to witness a first-half league goal throughout the season.

However, a reinvigorated Tottenham emerged after halftime, orchestrated by the in-form James Maddison. His instrumental play led to the game's opening goal, as Ward's unfortunate own goal resulted from a wicked volley across the box.

Continuing the momentum, Maddison influenced a well-orchestrated move, culminating in Son Heung-Min's clinical finish, marking his eighth league goal and placing him second only to Erling Haaland in the season's goal tally.

Jordan Ayew's exceptional stoppage-time goal provided a glimmer of hope for the Eagles, but Postecoglou's successful debut in the Premier League continued. With an impressive 26 points from 30, his start stands as the best for any new manager in the league's history.

Palace remains positioned 11th in the league, gearing up for crucial upcoming fixtures against Burnley, Everton, and Luton Town under Hodgson's guidance."