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The budding connection between Harry Kane and Gareth Bale makes a compelling argument for José Mourinho to put caution aside on a more regular basis. There have been too many occasions this season when Tottenham have lagged behind with slim leads and created pressure before throwing away points. It has become an expensive habit and, in the face of this destruction of Crystal Palace, completely unnecessary.
With two elite forwards operating on the same wavelength, the Spurs had no need for negativity. Kane and Bale were quite a double act, combining with devastating effect against a limited side of the Palace. The former was splendid in his dual role as incisive playmaker and lethal finisher, while the resurgence of the latter has given Spurs a new life and an excellent opportunity to qualify for the Champions League. Mourinho, so sullen a few weeks ago, is suddenly faced with an attack that can be faced by anyone; your task is to make the most of it.
Palace can certainly attest to the danger of Kane’s association with Bale and the added satisfaction for Mourinho was how his team responded after conceding a draw to Christian Benteke late in the first half. The Spurs were controlled. Kane provided his second assist of the night for Bale, who looks sharper with every outing, and went on to kill the competition with two clinical punches, the first a glorious shot from 20 yards. “He’s there with the best forwards,” Mourinho said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anyone.”
The Spurs, who are up to sixth place and two points behind fourth-ranked Chelsea after three consecutive victories, had broken through Palace’s low block. Although Dele Alli was on the bench after impressing in last Thursday’s win at Fulham, the hosts were rampant, with Lucas Moura impressive at No. 10. “He was enthusiastic,” Mourinho said. “From minute 35 to 46 we lost control. The goal was a consequence. But the first part was not bad and the second part was very good ”.
Palace, who kept the roster from their goalless draws with Fulham and Manchester United, had set out to absorb the pressure. Rather than offering surprises, the visitors simply relied on a lot of organization and pace of work in their former 4-4-2.
The pattern of play meant that Palace was most vulnerable when he had the ball. Uncomfortable when the Spurs exerted high pressure, they conceded a terrible goal in the 25th minute. Luka Milivojevic was guilty, faltering near his own area. Moura stripped the midfielder and the ball broke to Kane, who crossed for Bale to score from close range.
Starting for the fourth game in a row, Bale was a constant threat. The 31-year-old winger almost had an early assist when he cut inside from the right before crossing for Son Heung-min, who headed straight for Vicente Guaita, and it should have been 2-0 when another of his centers found Sergio Reguilón . , which flew wide.
The lack of Reguilón gave Mourinho cause for concern. After offering nothing as attacking force, Palace pushed the Spurs back before equalizing in overtime, Milivojevic atoned for his mistake by crossing for Benteke, who slipped in front of Toby Alderweireld before planting a header past Hugo. Cry
It was a goal that showed why Mourinho finds it difficult to trust his defense. Palace had scored out of nowhere and was encouraged enough to make a positive change at the break, knocking out the disappointing Eberechi Eze for Wilfried Zaha, who was available after shaking off a hamstring injury.
However, there was barely time for Zaha to bunt before Bale took over, pushing in from the right in the 49th minute and spraying the ball towards Reguilón. The left back tapped before sending a deep cross to far post. The danger seemed minimal, but Kane was more alert than Palace’s defenders and headed the ball back into the six-yard box for Bale, who was perfectly positioned to head past Guaita.
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Kane quickly followed his 13th assist in the league with more inspiration. Once again, Palace didn’t appear to be in any danger when Bale sent a pass down the right to Matt Doherty. But when the right-back found Kane, the forward surprised Palace by using the inside of his right foot to launch a first shot that passed Guaita.
Although Zaha hit a post, Palace was beaten and is eight points above the bottom three. Erik Lamela replaced Bale and helped create the room with a chip for Son, who gave Kane a touch. The goal survived a VAR review for offside and Mourinho was able to celebrate a resounding victory.
