Tottenham Hotspur about to break an old age course placed by an angry ex- star

Tottenham Hotspur about to break an old age course placed by an angry ex- star

James Maddison was Tottenham’s game changer again as a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace moved them five points clear at the top of the Premier League, their biggest ever lead in the competition.

Tottenham’s entertainers were tamed during a low-key first half in south London but Maddison’s cross-shot soon after the interval forced Joel Ward to turn into his own net.

 

The playmaker then showed brilliant footwork in the box before feeding sub Brennan Johnson to pull the ball back for in-form Heung-min Son to add a second and his eighth of the season.

 

Maddison may not have achieved an official goal involvement to become the first player to register a goal or assist in each of his first six Premier League away games for a club but his influence was plain to see.

 

There was late drama when Jordan Ayew set up a frantic finish with his super strike four minutes into injury-time and Matheus Franca lashed wide with virtually the last kick of the game, but Spurs came through for a victory which means boss Ange Postecoglou has secured a record 26 points from his first 10 games as a Premier League manager.

Spurs’ nearest competitors Arsenal, at home to Sheffield United on Saturday, and Manchester City, in the derby at Old Trafford on Sunday – live on Sky Sports – will be aiming to trim Spurs’ lead over the weekend, but Postecoglou’s unbeaten side have shown they can find different ways to win this week, after backing up Monday’s victory over Fulham.

 

There were moments during the opening 45 minutes when it looked like Roy Hodgson could be the one celebrating on his landmark night, and there was almost a late twist, but his 500th game as a manager in English football saw his initially disciplined side eventually broken down and ultimately fall short in the final third.

 

Palace stay 11th, as close to the relegation zone as the top four in terms of points, but are likely to fall over the coming days.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has issued his glowing assessment of Tottenham’s performances so far this season and explained who he sees some similarities with  Carragher has compared this current Tottenham outfit to the Liverpool side of 2013/14 who came within a whisker of winning the Premier League.

 

Spurs have made a sensational start to the new season and currently sit five points clear at the top of the table, having played one game more than their title rivals. Their latest outing came away at Crystal Palace, where Ange Postecoglou’s men ran out 2-1 winners in a hard-fought Friday night clash at Selhurst Park.

 

That result prolongs their unbeaten run, with Postecoglou yet to taste a league defeat as Spurs boss. In that time, the north Londoners have come up against the likes of local rivals Arsenal, as well as fellow big-six sides Manchester United and Liverpool.

 

To remain unbeaten is some feat and has sparked a discussion over whether Spurs can spring an almighty surprise and go the distance this season by winning their first league title in more than half a century. Carragher has had his say on the matter and identified something that could help them in their quest.