Perhaps Tottenham have finally realized they don’t have to be 2-0 down before letting their talent shine. They have too much firepower to play with such composure all the time and when Harry Kane is in that kind of mood, so full of creativity and so hungry for goals, it’s hard to understand why Antonio Conte has come to life at the Spurs. he sounds so tired
Of course, it remains to be seen whether this excellent performance alone will be enough to convince Conte that he can build a long-term project. Still, this was a perfect way for Tottenham to respond after a difficult spell. A beaming Conte was on the pitch after the final whistle, congratulating his players after seeing them revive their top-four challenge by toppling Crystal Palace, and in those moments perhaps the Italian remembered the joy that is to work with Kane, who had sparked this thrashing with two hard-hitting finishes at the start of the second half.
Admittedly, there was more to a boisterous Spurs display than Kane’s craft and ruthlessness. There have been inventions from the spotted minor Bryan Gil, who has collected an assist, and some excellent saves from Hugo Lloris. Son Heung-min was also encouraging, cheering and scoring with an assist from Kane. Tottenham, who are two points behind Manchester United, will surely be more fluid if Son’s confidence returns.
Really though, this triumph was Kane showing why he is the complete striker. Palace, who have not beaten a top-half team this season, have been unable to contain the England captain. Kane got Tottenham purring, although the night wasn’t entirely positive. It was 4-0 but Spurs fans are still calling for Daniel Levy to step down as chairman during the closing stages.
This was the Spurs in a culture war. It was a warning to the board and it was interesting that the criticism of Levy was followed by strong support for Conte, who has spent much of his time in north London complaining about his alleged meager resources. Levy could have been forgiven for raising his eyebrows as Conte has hardly lived up to expectations this season. The mistakes are not just at board level. Conte also needs to stop whining and, against the backdrop of his usual first-half displays, it was encouraging to see Spurs trying to get over their dismal defeat at Aston Villa.
Matt Doherty scores Tottenham’s third goal. Photograph: Simon Roe/ProSports/Shutterstock
The opening exchanges were proof that Tottenham can take games by the scruff of the neck. They dominated Palace, forcing mistakes from the hosts, and had moments of promise. There was urgency from Oliver Skipp, who started in midfield in the absence of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, and guile from Gil, whose smart performance in place of the injured Dejan Kulusevski on the right leading Conte to compare him to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.
Palace was shaky, though it got better as half time approached. Spurs faded and Jordan Ayew squandered a good chance, shooting too close to Lloris. Joachim Andersen fired inches wide from 25 yards. Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze were muted but Michael Olise was lively.
There was another opening for Palace at the start of the second half, Cristian Romero almost gifting Ayew a goal. The Spurs had to respond. They improved when Kane scrambled, a subtle pass giving Matt Doherty a chance.
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Kane led by example. Moments later Pierre-Emile Højbjerg won possession in midfield, Son linked up with Gil and Ivan Perisic made an overlapping run from left-back. Perisic’s delivery was right and Joel Ward was no match at the far post for Kane, who buried his header from distance.
Getting the opener for the first time in 11 games set Spurs free. Five minutes later, Gil cut inside and flicked a pass to Kane, who was once again clinical, avoiding a block by firing early and curling a beautiful finish into the far corner.
The palace collapsed. Kane and Son combined, the latter snapping and setting up Doherty to punch a third. Belief returned. The Kane-Son partnership came to life. With 18 minutes remaining, Kane lifted a ball over the top, Marc Guéhi made a mistake and Son finished calmly. The good times returned.