Crystal Palace demolish Spurs

Odsonne Edouard scored twice on his debut as Crystal Palace claimed their first win of the season to end 10-man Tottenham’s 100% Premier League start with a 3-0 home victory.

French forward Edouard, a deadline-day signing from Celtic, introduced himself to the Selhurst Park faithful in fine fashion, turning in Zaha’s cross a minute after coming on and then steering in Conor Gallagher’s pass.

The result moves Palace up to 11th in the table and it was no more than they deserved after a dominant display against the league leaders.

The hosts were well on top even before Japhet Tanganga’s dismissal, with the Spurs defender collecting two yellow cards in the space of five minutes before the hour mark.

Is Edouard the answer to Palace’s problems?

Palace’s problems in attack have been well documented over the past two seasons, when they have had one of the worst goalscoring records in the top flight.

They also began this match having managed just five efforts on target this season, the lowest of any club in the Premier League.

And while they displayed plenty of early endeavour, pressing forward for long periods, they at times looked short of ideas and the precision needed to unlock a well-drilled Spurs defence.

Conor Gallagher saw a close-range first-half effort well saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris but thereafter Ayew’s stinging shot, blocked by Dele Alli, represented their best opportunity to score.

That is until Zaha scored from the spot and Edouard arrived to provide a new dimension.

His goal 28 seconds after coming on as a substitute is the fastest by a player on their Premier League debut and immediately highlighted his predatory skills, taking a touch to set himself before placing the ball into the bottom right corner.

Eight minutes later it was more of the same, raising hopes that Palace may finally have found a solution to a longstanding problem.

BBC Online