SAN FRANCISCO, December 14, (THEWILL) – A late Jeffrey Schlupp strike helped Crystal Palace salvage a deserved 1-1 derby draw and hold Tottenham Hotspur from opening up a three-point gap at the top of the Premier League.
The visitors kicked off with a swagger and Palace keeper Vincente Guaita made a great reflex save to keep out midfielder Tanguy Ndombele’s first-time strike.
Still, Guaita was left red-faced 23 minutes in, when he completely misjudged Kane’s right-foot shot from around 30 yards out. He ended up palming it into his net.
As the busier of the two keepers, the Palace keeper responded well when he produced a beautiful double save, from Ndombele and Kane to keep the scoreline respectable. Palace then finished the first half strongly as Nigeria’s central attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze hit the far post with a measured effort from just inside the Spurs penalty area.
Left midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp scuffed a golden opportunity to equalise when he blazed over from close range after captain Luka Milivojevic’s free-kick caused havoc in the Spurs penalty area.
The visitors offered little going forward in the second period and were relieved to see attacker Christian Benteke head onto the roof of the net.
In the 81st minute, Schlupp made amends when he bundled home after Lloris was undone by Eze’s in-swinging free-kick.
Substitute defender Ben Davies could have won it in bizarre fashion for Jose Mourinho’s men when his cross hit the bar and Guaita again reacted well to a lapse with a sharp reflex save when Kane got his head on Serge Aurier’s shot.
For the umpteenth time, Guaita earned his stripes by superbly saving an Eric Dier free-kick in a dramatic finale and both sides had to settle for a point.
Although Tottenham are now unbeaten in 10 matches, Liverpool, who they next face at Anfield on Wednesday, could replace them at the top of the table with a win at Fulham later on Sunday.
Palace next travel to London to take on West Ham on Wednesday as well.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
