Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off saw a terrible performance from Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs side as they were dismantled by Crystal Palace at the roaring Selhurst Park.
Japhet Tanganga was given his marching orders minutes after receiving his first yellow card of the game following his tussle with Wilfried Zaha, which saw the defender lock Palace’s star-man in a bear hug and the Ivorian grab the homegrown Spurs fan-favourite by the face with somehow both players avoiding a straight red.
Japhet Tanganga sees red! 🟥
He picks up a second yellow card minutes after picking up his first following a foul and altercation with Wilfried Zaha down the wing… pic.twitter.com/caQ3bFpQwo
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 11, 2021
The pressure was ramped on by the home side, and they got their reward from the penalty spot after Ben Davies handled in the area, with Zaha converting from the penalty spot before Odsonne Edouard scored two off the bench on his debut – including his first which was around 30 seconds after being subbed on. Here are our Spurs player ratings:
GK: Hugo Lloris – 5
Overhit ball to Dier led to the defender limping off with an injury after only 15 minutes. Should have done better with Odsonne Edouard’s second effort.
LB: Sergio Reguilon – 6
Made two exceptional goal-line clearances to stop the scoreline from getting even more embarrassing. Wasn’t effective in attack but then again, no one was.
CB: Eric Dier – 5
Taken off with an injury early on. A big blow for the team who lost an experienced head who may have just been able to calm Tanganga and prevent him from losing his head in the second half.
CB: Japhet Tanganga – 5
🟥 Red Card
🏁Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes that Wilfried Zaha was correctly NOT sent off in Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
🤚Despite Zaha raising both his hands to Japhet Tanganga.#THFC #COYSpic.twitter.com/Po1yVMluII
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) September 13, 2021
Very solid until his second yellow card. Rash decisions will be ironed out as he gains more experience and becomes more professional alongside the likes of Dier and Cristian Romero.
RB: Emerson Royal – 4
Poor debut from the new right-back who struggled to stop Wilfried Zaha all game. Wasn’t helped by the lack of protection in midfield or his forward-thinking runs not being spotted.
LCM: Harry Winks – 3
Outshone by his far-less experienced opposite number Conor Gallagher and offered virtually nothing in midfield. Failed to find Emerson on a number of occasions who was in acres of space each time – instead deciding to pass backwards and keep the Palace pressure on.
CM: Oliver Skipp – 5
🏴Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Oliver Skipp insists today’s result is a wake-up call for Spurs:
🤚“Even with eleven men I felt we was sloppy with the ball.”
😠“I felt we needed to be more proactive on the ball, which we was not.”#THFC | #COYS | #CRYTOTpic.twitter.com/4EPP1rmmA7
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) September 11, 2021
Can’t be faulted with his efforts in midfield as he stuck to his role and did what was asked of him, however with not a single attack-minded midfielder on either side of him, he struggled to pick out a progressive pass.
RCM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 5
Did his role okay, should have offered more protection to Emerson but having just returned from international duty, he looked more energetic than anyone else in the team, apart from maybe Lucas.
LW: Dele Alli – 5
Drifted out of the game frequently but did make a few crucial defensive blocks.
ST: Harry Kane – 4
Never really got involved and didn’t have any impact in the game at all.
RW: Lucas Moura – 7
Lucas Moura for Tottenham in the first half:
◉ Most duels won (9)
◉ Most tackles (4)
◉ Most take-ons (2)Trying to win the ball high up the pitch. pic.twitter.com/1kjSUWkwAD
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 11, 2021
Spurs’ best player who at times looked like he knew if anything was going to happen, it would be from him on his own. Always looked to take players on and did so successfully but just didn’t have the support.
SUBS:
Joe Rodon – 5
Made some good tackles and interceptions, but ultimately conceded three goals after coming on.
Ben Davies – 4
Struggled to deal with Edouard and was very ineffective in his short cameo, with three goals being scored after he came on. Gave away a penalty for the first goal by blocking a cross with his out-stretched arm.