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There was a moment in first-half stoppage time when this threatened to become the last ever recurring event for Tottenham.
Christian Benteke tied at the end of a 45-minute period that the Spurs had initially dominated, but then got comfortable, losing the intensity that allowed them to establish an early lead through Gareth Bale’s opener in the 25th minute. at Selhurst Park in December was one of many warnings from his recent past about the damage that can be done by quitting the initiative. They tied that game 1-1 after taking the lead at a similar time, unable to hold on to a victory that would have left them clear at the top of the Premier League table.
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Bale was absent that day, due to an illness that is part of a catalog of fitness problems that have compromised the impact he could have upon returning to north London after seven years at Real Madrid. Here the Welshman was able to help Tottenham rediscover their attacking purpose, scoring the final winning goal of a 4-1 win just four minutes after the break, with the kind of compromised header that is only the product of a team that wants to press. your opponent at all costs.
Perhaps Benteke’s goal came inadvertently at the perfect time. With a top four spot on the horizon, largely due to Liverpool’s ongoing capitulation, a win was essential here to keep the Spurs in pursuit and therefore there could be no equivocation or precautions in the team talk by José Mourinho.
Palace introduced Wilfried Zaha at halftime in an attempt to capitalize on any uncertainty in a Spurs team that has dropped 10 points from winning positions this season, conceding eight goals between 75 and 90 minutes in games. However, Tottenham advanced on the front foot in a way that could take them a long way to a top four result if they can replicate the ruthlessness of the second half reminiscent of Spurs in their prime during the early stages of the season .
Bale’s rebirth is an obvious bonus. There was consternation in some quarters that Mourinho was restricting Bale’s minutes for reasons not seen with the naked eye. Regardless of the difficulties you’ve had getting into the physical shape necessary to play regularly, the argument for stopping it no longer has any merit.
This was an excellent overall performance from the Welshman, the best of his second arrival in his fifth Premier League start, and the 31-year-old has now scored six goals in his last six Spurs games – as many as he managed. in his last 35 games with Real Madrid.
“We are a very talented team in these areas but this Gareth is an extra for us, a plus for us,” Mourinho said afterward. This Gareth didn’t start that season. This Gareth is playing like this for a couple of months and of course the quality is amazing. He is a fantastic player. “
Harry Kane was visibly excited. The England captain’s goal in the 52nd minute was a sublime effort, hitting Matt Doherty’s short cut-off with a controlled but fearsome movement of his right boot that sent a shot that unerringly crashed into the far corner of the goalkeeper. Palace, Vicente Guaita. He then added a quarter of Son Heung-Min’s beautiful cross four minutes before being substituted, the 14th time the pair combined for a goal this season, breaking the Premier League record.
Bale was already back on the bench at the time, but these changes did not mean Mourinho reverted to his inherent conservatism, but risked giving two key attacking players a break before another difficult week that includes a round of 16 Europa League. final. first leg against Dinamo Zagreb and Sunday derby in North London at Arsenal.
Things change quickly in this fast-paced season. After a period of intense scrutiny for Mourinho, the Spurs may now wonder how far Bale, Kane and Son could get them in shape, with Dele Alli also showing recent signs of life.
They rose above champion Liverpool with this victory and are only two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. Next month’s EFL Cup final against Manchester City also looks different after Sunday’s results. They can approach the confrontation with renewed enthusiasm drawn from this excellent example of how much fortune can favor the brave, certainly those who press with conviction.
Spurs’ first goal came from excellent pressure applied by Lucas Moura to steal Luka Milivojevic and feed Kane, who put a goal on a plate for Bale within the six-yard box. Every time they pushed with that ferocity, a Palace team perhaps fatigued from another long turn off the ball against Manchester United in the middle of the week, struggled to cope. Many more will do the same.
“I’m not really thinking about that. I can’t control the results of other teams,” Mourinho said.
“I can’t control what will happen at West Ham v Leeds and Chelsea v Everton tomorrow. We just have to try to get as many points. As many points as we can, try to win as many games as we can.” If possible, play well, score goals, not concede too many and try to see what can happen.
“I am not forgetting the Europa League. I refuse to say ‘Thursday is not important’ because for me it is. The Cup final is there, waiting for us. We just have to work, be together, go through difficult times as already We did it and try to enjoy the good times. “
The Spurs reached 100 goals in all competitions this season with Kane’s second of the night and Mourinho couldn’t resist the close by referencing that achievement in the context of how his football brand looks overall.
“Today we can be happy after three victories in the same week and if the statistics they gave me are correct, 100 goals scored in the season which for a very defensive team, for a very negative team is not bad,” he said.
