EPL: Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham

Harry Kane headed an 88th-minute winner

Harry Kane headed an 88th-minute winner to earn Tottenham a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday lunchtime.

The England striker notched his 35th goal of the season - and the 150th of his club career - to deny Palace a precious point in their fight against relegation after they had defended resolutely for long spells.

The late winner spared the blushes of Serge Aurier who had missed an open goal three minutes earlier and saw Spurs climb back into the top four above Chelsea on goal difference, ahead of the Blues' trip to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

 

Palace, who play Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in three of their next four fixtures, remain 17th, only above Swansea on goal difference.

 

During a tight first half, Tottenham were unfortunate to twice be denied penalties. Referee Kevin Friend was unmoved when Wayne Hennessey appeared to trip Ben Davies in the eighth minute - and the goalkeeper made a vital save moments later when he blocked Kane from close range.

 

Friend did momentarily point to the spot in the 29th minute when Timothy Fosu-Mensah tripped Kane in the area, but the referee quickly changed his mind when his assistant raised his flag for offside.

 

Kane uncharacteristically volleyed a simple chance across the goal and wide from inside the six-yard box on 53 minutes and Hennessey dived to his right to push away a firm Aurier shot as Spurs dominated the second half.

Hennessey made another fine save 19 minutes from the end as he kept out Davies' low shot at full stretch and he had to be alert again eight minutes from time when Benteke diverted Kane's shot goalwards.

 

Aurier somehow missed a golden opportunity five minutes from time when Davies' left-wing cross found him at the far post with an open goal to aim at but he haplessly stood on the ball when it appeared he would tap in the winner.

However, Palace's resistance was dramatically broken with two minutes left in normal time as Eriksen floated a corner to the far post and Hennessey could not get a firm hand on Kane's header.