Tottenham, after a difficult first period, won on the lawn of their neighbor Crystal Palace (2-1) and increased their lead at the top of the championship standings, Friday at the opening of the 10th day of the Premier League. Spurs extend their unbeaten run this season to eight wins and two draws and, with 26 points, are provisionally five points ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal.

This success took shape after a dull and closed first 45 minutes, the players of Australian Ange Postecoglu having more difficulty than usual to take the game into their own hands and be dangerous. Symbol of these unusual difficulties, Tottenham did not target a single shot in the first half for the first time this season.

We had to wait for the return from the locker room and an own goal from the unfortunate Joel Ward, after a strong cross from Maddison, one of the men in form at the start of the season, to see Spurs take the lead in the score (53rd). And this team, accustomed to offering a polished game since the start of the season with quick combinations in small spaces, then controlled more, despite an opportunity from Guehi (55th) to equalize.

Son, the South Korean captain of Spurs, then doubled the lead, well served by Johnson, after a delicious opening from Maddison (66th), allowing him to score his eighth goal of the season. In added time, Jordan Ayew took advantage of an error from Porro to reduce the score with a nice shot from the right (90th 4). Crystal Palace are 11th with 12 points.