Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham Ratings Explained: Visitors eke out key win

Juan Foyth's second half header proved to be the difference as Tottenham held on to beat Crystal Palace 1-0.

Crystal Palace 

Wayne Hennessey - 6.21 - Made a flying stop to turn a Harry Kane effort behind for a corner on the 30-minute mark. Could do little for Juan Foyth's winning goal. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7.27 - Showed his inexperience as he was nutmegged by Moussa Sissoko that almost saw Tottenham take the lead. However, that was the only time Spurs got the better of the young full-back in the first half. Made a crucial interception at the start of the second half that would’ve presented Erik Lamela with a run at goal. Another fine showing from the young right-back. 

James Tomkins - 6.73 - Was beaten far too easily by Moussa Sissoko and was fortunately bailed out by centre-back partner Mamdou Sakho on the 20-minute mark. Was booked for a foul on Lucas Moura five minutes before the interval. Failed to hit the target with a free header from a Luka Milivojevic corner early in the second half before being forced off with injury on the hour mark. 

Mamadou Sakho - 7.22 - Was on hand to make two vital headers to ease the pressure on the Crystal Palace goal early on. Excellently blocked a goal bound Moussa Sissoko shot after 20 minutes that looked destined for the back of the net. Almost played Wayne Hennessey into danger with a sloppy back pass, which the Palace goalkeeper cleared in the last 10 minutes of the first half.  

Patrick van Aanholt - 5.96 - Whereas Aaron Wan-Bissaka impressed, the left-back struggled with the Tottenham attack on the opposite flank.  

James McArthur - 6.49 - Protected Aaron Wan-Bissaka well down the Crystal Palace right as he made two tackles and three interceptions. However, he offered little in the final third as he failed to make a key pass or complete a dribble and this forced the frontmen to pull wide, leaving Palace short of attacking options. 

Cheikhou Kouyate - 5.67 - Probably thought he was set to score when the ball floated towards him six yards from goal early on, only for Lucas Moura to rob him of the chance. Struggled to get a foothold in the game, though.  

Luka Milivojevic - 7.05 - His lazy attempt to tackle Harry Kane presented the Tottenham man with a chance on goal, but it was a committed showing from the Serb here. Made five tackles and five interceptions and chipped in with two key passes in a very good outing in midfield. 

Max Meyer - 6.19 - A solid if unspectacular performance from the German, who made one tackle and two interceptions from the left wing. 

Andros Townsend - 6.70 - Got the first noteworthy effort of the game away as he capitalised on a defensive mix up by Juan Fotyh, but fired into the side netting at the near post. Couldn’t make the most of a second half effort, with his tame effort from eight yards comfortably stopped by Hugo Lloris. 

Jordan Ayew - 6.23 - Deputising for the absent Wilfried Zaha, he forced Juan Foyth into action early on with a low cross the needed putting behind for a corner. An otherwise anonymous performance, however, 

Subs 

Martin Kelly - 6.44 - Made a superb last-ditch challenge to deny Son Heung-Min in injury time to keep Crystal Palace in the game. 

Jeffrey Schlupp - 6.41 - Saw a long-range shot batted away by Hugo Lloris. 

Alexander Sorloth - 6.20 - Was played in for a great chance late on, but Hugo Lloris was on hand to turn his shot away. 

Tottenham 

Hugo Lloris - 7.93 - Withstood an early second half onslaught from Crystal Palace, but came close to gifting the home side a chance with a wayward pass to the right. Made some good saves to deny Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend, and one huge stop late on to secure the three points to turn a close range Alexander Sorloth shot away for a corner. 

Kieran Trippier - 6.63 - Forced off midway through the first half after a bright start to the game.  

Toby Alderweireld - 7.39 - Unfazed by the adverse weather conditions at Selhurst Park as he churned out an experienced performance at the heart of the Tottenham backline. 

Juan Foyth - 7.93 (Man of the Match) - Making just his second Premier League start of his career, he made a crucial clearance to turn a Jordan Ayew cross away for a corner early on. Endured a hair-pulling 15 seconds as he let Andros Townsend in for a shot on goal before moments later sloppily conceding a corner as he failed to make a 10-yard pass for Hugo Lloris. Quickly regained his composure afterwards, however, and headed Spurs ahead midway through the second half.  

Ben Davies  - 7.53 - Made five tackles and was solid at the back, even if he did struggle to get forward as he was routinely pegged back. However, he kept his calm to ensure another clean sheet for Tottenham. 

Moussa Sissoko - 7.47 - Started alongside Victor Wanyama and did well to force his way into the Crystal Palace box, only for his shot to be well blocked by Mamadou Sakho after 20 minutes. Played a number of different roles in the opening 45 minutes as he impressed in the first half. Continued to grow into the game in what was arguably his best Spurs performance following his big money move. Almost had an assist as he instigated a counter that required a last-ditch Martin Kelly challenge to deny Son Heung-Min. 

Victor Wanyama - 6.85 - Back from injury to make his first Premier League start of the campaign and didn’t look out of place, though he was a little rusty as to be expected. Distribution was found wanting, but not the worst performance after a spell on the sidelines. 

Erik Lamela - 6.58 - Worked hard on and off the ball, as one would expect from the Argentine, but little came off for him in the final third. Forced off with 10 minutes to play after sustaining a head injury. 

Dele Alli - 6.63 - In the Tottenham starting XI for the first time since September. Robbed of a great chance to score in the first half and did well to work the space to receive possession. 

Lucas Moura - 6.22 - Made a crucial headed interception to deny what would have been a certain Cheikhou Kouyate goal with 15 minutes gone. Robbed Dele Alli of a golden opportunity in the dying embers of the first half after a teasing cross by Serge Aurier. Tried and tried, yet little came off for the Brazilian, who was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining. 

Harry Kane - 6.78 - Forced a flying Wayne Hennessey save on the half hour mark after hurdling a Luka Milivojevic challenge 20 yards from goal. Led the line well. 

Subs 

Serge Aurier - 7.04 - Came on for Kieran Trippier midway through the first half in a bid to avoid his three foul throws in this match last season. First moment of action saw him put a teasing low cross into the box that Palace scrambled clear. Put in a floated ball that was destined for Dele Alli, only for Lucas Moura to inadvertently head clear as the minutes ticked towards half time. 

Son Heung-Min - 6.33 - Came close to scoring against Palace again late on, but Martin Kelly was able to tackle the Tottenham forward for a corner. 

Harry Winks - 5.87 - Booked shortly after replacing Erik Lamela.