Martin Kelly scored his first goal in five years to help Crystal Palace overcome Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at White Hart Lane in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The full-back struck home late in the first half to score the only goal of the game, putting an end to the Lilywhites' hopes of ending their 25-year wait to lift the famous cup.
Dele Alli struck both posts and also had a header saved off the line in the opening 45 minutes, but Spurs could not assert enough pressure after falling behind and were made to suffer by their London rivals.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane. The Lilywhites are still battling on three fronts this season, having put together a strong run of form under Mauricio Pochettino, which has left supporters in these parts dreaming of a rare piece of silverware.
While the Premier League may take priority at this stage of the campaign, Spurs know that they have a great chance to take a step closer to winning this famous trophy for the first time in 25 years with victory over an out-of-form Palace side this afternoon. Before taking a look at the tie in some more depth, let us first check out some team news from North London.
TEAM NEWS!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Vorm; Walker, Dier, Wimmer, Rose; Bentaleb, Dembele; Alli, Onomah, Son; Kane
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Ward; Dann, Delaney, Kelly; Zaha, Cabaye, Ledley, Mutch; Wickham, Adebayor
So Mauricio Pochettino has opted to reshuffle his side at this hectic point in the season by making seven changes to his starting lineup. As expected, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are both integrated back into the side at full-back, taking the place of Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies in what is now becoming a regular switch in the back four. There is also a place for Harry Kane up top, who comes in for Nacer Chadli this afternoon.
Elsewhere, Eric Dier fills in for Jan Vertonghen, while there is also a place in the starting XI for Nabil Bentaleb and youngster Joshua Onomah. It is not the strongest side available to Pochettino, but this is certainly another example of that strength in depth now available at White Hart Lane as the North London outfit aim to battle it out on three fronts over the remaining months of the campaign.
Michel Vorm will start in goals for the second game in succession as a result of the shoulder injury sustained by first-choice stopper Hugo Lloris last week. The Dutchman has had to make do with just the odd appearance during his time at Spurs, but he is a more than capable goalkeeper who will no doubt use today's game as another chance to showcase his ability. The Lilywhites boast the best defensive record in England's top flight, having conceded just 20 league goals.
In terms of the visitors, they have included a certain Emmanuel Adebayor up top against his former club. Much of the pre-match talk has centred around the Togo forward, who it is fair to say left White Hart Lane under somewhat of a cloud last year. Adebayor has already made it clear that he will celebrate today should he bag a goal - let's just hope it is at the right end of the field this time after almost causing a riot at The Etihad a few years back.
Still no Yannick Bolasie in the Palace starting lineup, but the winger does take up a spot on the bench which provides Alan Pardew with a major boost. The Eagles' poor recent form has coincided with Bolasie's absence, so they will be eager to get him back to full fitness sooner rather than later. Bakary Sako is another who has been watching on from the sidelines of late, and he misses out altogether this afternoon once more.
Palace's injury issues do not end there, either, as Joe Ledley and Dwight Gayle have been nursing thigh and hamstring injuries respectively. The Welshman is deemed fit enough to play a part from the off in this one, though, while Gayle is also included in the squad and likely to play some part in this all-Premier League affair. Up top, Connor Wickham is tasked with partnering Adebayor for a Palace side in desperate need of some momentum.
BENCH WATCH!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: McGee, Alderweireld, Trippier, Chadli, Eriksen, Mason, Winks
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: McCarthy, Mariappa, Jedinak, Lee, Bolasie, Campbell, Gayle
No Eric Lamela in the Spurs squad this afternoon, then, which is thought to be down to illness. Pochettino will be happy to let the attacker rest up on the back of a battling 1-1 draw away at Fiorentina in midweek, with the return tie in that one just four days away. No the strongest of benches named by the Argentine boss, in truth, but he does have Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli among his back-up options.
Palace have a few attacking options of their own should they be required, including the largely overlooked Fraizer Campbell and the returning Dwight Gayle. The big news is the return of the aforementioned Bolasie, however, who has not featured at all this calendar year due to a hip injury. Could the wideman's return to the Eagles' ranks help turnaround this barren spell of form that has seen the club slip down the Premier League table of late?
Emmanuel Adebayor starts for Crystal Palace against former club Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon. Connor Wickham is once more trusted to partner the Togolese forward in attack, against a Spurs side showing seven changes from their last outing against Fiorentina a few days ago.
So this match presents Spurs with a chance to continue building momentum in what is shaping up to be a real season to remember in North London. Realistic hopes of winning the Premier League, as well as tasting success in European and domestic cup competitions, Pochettino is heading the right way to becoming a legend around these parts. Of course, the Lilywhites could end up with little, other than a top-four finish - which would of course still represent a decent enough campaign on the whole - but right now you cannot blame supporters for dreaming.
A seven-game winning run in all competitions came to an end last time out when being held to a 1-1 draw away at Fiorentina, but even that will be seen as a real positive result. Spurs are now favourites to pick up a result in Thursday's return leg and progress through to the next round of the Europa League, yet for now attention is firmly fixed on a cup that the club last lifted back in 1991. It may be a gruelling schedule, but Spurs appear to be handling the pressure just fine at this moment in time.
DID YOU KNOW Tottenham have won 10 and lost just one of their last 14 FA Cup ties at White Hart Lane. They certainly boast an impressive record on home soil, but they will be without Nacer Chadli from the off this afternoon - a player who has scored four goals in his four starts in the competition since joining the club.
Much of Spurs' success this term has been built on a steady backline, which has shipped less than a goal-a-game in all competitions. Sixteen against in 18 games goes a long way to highlighting just why the Lilywhites are now considered one of the strong favourites to go all the way and win the Premier League, with many arguing that Pochettino's men are in fact the division's best team overall.
That is largely due to the perfect balance found throughout the side. Dele Alli, among the starters today, has taken to the top flight with ease and is on track to becoming the PFA Young Player of the Year. Alongside him in midfield, Eric Dier has grown into one of the finest defensive-minded players in the league, while also having the ability to drop back into defence when the flying full-backs - whoever they may be - look to get into advanced positions. That is not to mention the goals of Harry Kane, who is proving to be more than a one-season wonder.
With the fixtures coming thick and fast, it is difficult for Spurs to remain grounded during what is a real gruelling campaign. Two points is currently the gap between themselves and top spot in the Premier League, so preparations will no doubt currently be in place ahead of tough London derby fixtures against West Ham United and Arsenal in the space of three days next week. Throw a Europa League tie and this FA Cup clash into the mix, and you can clearly see the importance of squad rotation.
In terms of their prospects in this famous competition, the eight-time winners have so far brushed aside Colchester United in round three and just about edged out Leicester City last time out. A replay was required to get the job done, but that was a fine result for the Lilywhites against a side that had beat them in the league just a week or so beforehand. Victory today and the North London outfit will be 90 minutes away from another short trip to Wembley Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino has worked wonders at Tottenham Hotspur since taking charge in 2014, shaping his side into Premier League title challengers as well as continuing to battle away in Europe and in the FA Cup. Spurs have won seven of their last eight games in all competition, only seeing that winning run come to an end last time out with a decent first-leg draw at Fiorentina.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These London rivals have met five times in the FA Cup, with the away side failing to score in each of those past fixtures. Tottenham have won the last two cup meetings by fairly substantial 3-0 and 4-0 scorelines, while they also picked up six points from six in the league fixtures between the teams earlier this term.
Well if Spurs are enjoying a fine run of form, it has been a different matter entirely for their opponents. Two wins from their last 11 games, including six defeats in that run, has left Palace at somewhat of a crossroads. Outside challengers for a top-four finish at one stage at the back end of last year, the Eagles are now simply locked in a battle to secure a place in the top half come May. Momentum is key in football - something which Palace are learning all about at this moment in time.
Those two victories both came in this competition, though, so it is clear to see that the Eagles perform better away from the Premier League when the pressure is off. A fine win away at Southampton and victory over Stoke City has seen the Eagles get to this stage the hard way against fellow top-flight opposition, but this is now the toughest tie of the lot against a real in-form side. Pardew's charges will be backed by around 9,000 travelling supporters this afternoon, incidentally, so the players cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves.
Palace have never actually won the FA Cup, despite their proud history, with their best finish coming in 1990 when they reached the final. With their league aspirations pretty much in tatters ahead of a trip to West Brom next week, there is no denying that this competition provides Pardew with a real chance to make something of the Eagles' campaign. Defeat, on the other hand, and it will be a case of plugging away until the season's end.
With kickoff now exactly 10 minutes away, let us check out the pre-match thoughts from both camps heading into this London derby affair at White Hart Lane.
Mauricio Pochettino: "The mentality is perfect. The players just want to play every game. They feel they are strong, feel they can all play every game and win every game. We need to carry on in the same way. We have a strong squad and in this period it's important to use them all, to keep them all motivated and fit."
Alan Pardew: "The FA Cup's a competition I love dearly. We're going to have a great time, but also a difficult time. We need to win a game. We don't want a replay and we're going there to win. Spurs are in a confident position, we're in a more desperate one. The outcome could be decided by one of the sides' great defenders."
So Pardew talking up the importance of picking up a victory by any means possible. The Eagles "are here to win", but a replay would not be quite as much of an inconvenience as it would be to Spurs who are having to field a side every few days at the moment. The key word used by Pochettino was "motivated" - surely not too much of a difficulty when success is within touching distance.
It is worth mentioning that two other ties are taking place in the FA Cup this afternoon. West Ham currently lead Blackburn Rovers are the break in the day's early kickoff, while Chelsea and Man City face off in the tie of the round a little later. Reading, Watford and Everton have already booked their place in the last eight, but who will join them in the hat? It is almost time to find out...
PREDICTION! Spurs have been incredibly tough to break down at times this season, and I do not expect to see that change this afternoon. With this being a London derby there is a real prospect of a cagey affair, but you would expect an in-form Lilywhites side to prevail against a Palace outfit with just two wins in their last 11. 1-0.
The players have made their way down the tunnel, with kickoff in this all-Premier League fifth-round tie now just moments away.
KICKOFF! Palace get us underway in North London, sporting their traditional stripped tops. Real good atmosphere inside The Lane this afternoon, which is only helped by the 9,000 or so travelling supporters.
CHANCE! Kane looks to get away an early shot on goal, which Dann is quick to block away. The hosts win themselves a corner, and it really should have led to the breakthrough goal. Alli got on the end of Son's corner, only for his header to be blocked on the line by a well-positioned Cabaye, before Onomah put the rebound over.
A very lively start to the game, as Mutch sees his volley blocked behind for a corner. Shouts for a penalty, but there was not enough distance between the ball and Bentaleb's outstretched arm. The ball goes towards Adebayor, but he cannot direct the ball on goal.
So Spurs with the one big chance in the early stages of this contest, then, but it has been a superb response by Palace. The visitors have been on top for the past few minutes now, without being able to ask any questions of Vorm in goals.
PENALTY APPEAL! Kyle Walker is currently receiving some treatment after coming out second best in a fair challenge with Jordon Mutch. Just seen a replay of that Bentaleb handball, and you have to say Palace are a little unlucky. The ball came off the midfielder's chest and then onto his arm - seen them given plenty of times in the past.
It looked for a moment as though Walker's participation in this game was over, yet he appears to be okay to continue now. The match just starting to slow in tempo following a real frantic start that has already provided a couple of talking points. Proper cup tie, this.
Zaha puts his hands on Rose which provides the Spurs full-back with an excuse to theatrically go to ground. Son's delivery was rather poor from the resulting free kick, though, with the ball failing to get beyond the first man.
CLOSE! A strong Alli challenge is met with some strong applause from home supporters, adding even more of an edge to what is already a real fierce battle. Almost an embarrassing moment for Walker, meanwhile, as his header back to Vorm catches the Dutchman by surprise, but the stand-in stopper back-peddled quickly enough to push the ball around the post.
Ledley rather cynically brings down Rose on the halfway line, and is perhaps a little fortunate to avoid a booking after halting a counter-attacking move. Spurs pushed on and came close once more to making a breakthrough as Kane's drive was deflected narrowly wide of target.
After under-hitting a free kick a little earlier in the game, Son this time swings in a cross too deep and it goes straight out of play for a Palace goal kick. Real frenetic pace to the game once more, as the visitors quickly get forward up the other end only for their latest attack to break down in the final third.
Plenty of little challenges continuing to fly in, the latest involving a Cabaye infringement on Kane. Once more the hosts make a real mess of the resulting set-piece play, however, allowing their opponents to take a little breather. Still just the one shot on target so far.
OFF THE POST! Scott Dann takes down a 60-yard pass with the deftest of first touches and slides in Joe Ledley, but Vorm reads the danger brilliantly and gets to the ball first. Following the theme of the game so far, Spurs quickly get forward and come close to an opener through Alli, whose curled effort hit both posts before being cleared off the line.
It has been a breathtaking start to the contest, but the game still somehow remains goalless. Palace have had their moments, but Spurs have been the better side having hit both posts and had an attempt cleared off the line.
Onomah is picked out around 10 yards from goal, but he failed to make the desired contact when flashing his attempt wide via a deflection. Walker is the latest to take on a shot from range, blasting high into the stands with his drive.
Palace failing to really get a grip on the game over the past five minutes or so and having to do a fair bit of defending. Incredibly yet to see a goal at White Hart Lane, but this has been a real entertaining fifth-round tie thus far.
Rose has been in the wars so far this afternoon, and he is the latest player to receive some treatment on the field of play after taking a clip to the face. The full-back will be fine to continue once the damage is cleared up.
A second penalty shout for the visitors, this time after Vorm appeared to wipe out Adebayor while getting no contact on a through-ball. The referee clearly felt that the Dutchman got the ball before the player.
Palace now on top all of a sudden, as a superb ball is whipped in by Cabaye right across the face of goal. Vorm looked a little unsure whether to stay or charge out, but in the end it mattered little as no Palace player gambled.
Spurs now having to do a lot of defending, with Ledley seeing a shot from inside the box well blocked before it could reach the target. The Eagles have done well this half, although they have still yet to force Vorm into a single save heading into the closing stages of the opening 45 minutes.
Adebayor drives towards the Spurs defence but, rather frustratingly, sees his shot easily blocked aside when he had teammates free either side. Fair to say that poor choice pleased the Spurs fans.
There has barely been a chance to breath in this first half thanks to the frantic pace. We appear to be heading towards a goalless first half, but there is another chance for Spurs to get the ball into the box as Ledley brings down Alli.
SAVE! Kane opted to take the free kick on from around 25 yards out, and it was a decent enough effort which forced Hennessey into a save down to his bottom right. Just the second shot on target this half.
Tottenham ending this half on a high, with Rose this time taking over set-piece duties on the right. The full-back's cross was far too close to Hennessey, though, which allowed the Welshman to pluck the ball out of the air in a routine fashion.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (MARTIN KELLY)
Spurs may have had the better of the first-half chances, but Palace have made a breakthrough with their first shot on target! Zaha helped create the chance, prodding a pass through for Kelly to smash the ball into the top corner of the net. The full-back probably shouldn't have been able to pick out the net with the angle somewhat against him, but Vorm was unable to get across to tip the ball over the bar.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
A real entertaining opening 45 minutes to this FA Cup fifth-round tie at White Hart Lane comes to an end, with Martin Kelly's goal deep into the half proving to be the difference between the sides at the break. The goal came from the visitors' first shot on target of the match, having been forced to ride their luck for large parts.
Dele Alli came close to opening the scoring just a few minutes in when seeing his header cleared off the line by Cabaye, while the Englishman also hit both posts with a close-range effort midway through the half. A Harry Kane free kick provided Spurs with their only other on-target shot of the first half, but it was the Lilywhites who had edged things up until that killer blow.
Palace did have one strong penalty shout turned down in the opening quarter of the game when Mutch's volleyed attempt appeared to come back off Bentaleb's arm, but the referee waved play on. The closest the Eagles had come to scoring prior to Kelly's thunderbolt arrived in rather comical fashion, as a Walker header almost caught his own keeper off guard only for Vorm to make amends and push the ball around the post at the last second.
Pochettino made seven changes to his starting lineup this afternoon, but could we see some more alterations at the break? Both he and Pardew have plenty of options to choose from, particularly in attack.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: McGee, Alderweireld, Trippier, Chadli, Eriksen, Mason, Winks
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: McCarthy, Mariappa, Jedinak, Lee, Bolasie, Campbell, Gayle
Plenty of goalmouth action and talking points in the first half at White Hart Lane, but it took a Martin Kelly belter in the dying stages of the opening 45 minutes to provide us with our breakthrough goal. Plenty for Spurs to think about heading into this second half if they are to keep their hopes of FA Cup silverware alive.
RESTART! We are back underway in North London - and there is news of a change at the break. Dembele has been replaced by Eriksen, meaning Pochettino has reshuffled his pack slightly to get more out of his side in an attacking sense.
Spurs quick to set the tempo in the early stages of this second half, much like we saw in the opening 45 minutes. Palace almost certain to sit back for large parts and hit their opponents on the counter. Bolasie among their subs this afternoon, remember.
SAVE! The Lilywhites are being allowed to knock the ball around with relative ease at the moment, with Palace simply soaking up some pressure. The patient build-up play almost paid off, too, as only a smart Hennessey save denied Kane's strike across goal after being played through.
Just wondering how long it will be before we see Bolasie introduced. If Palace are deploying this counter-attacking approach, then they have the ideal man to bring on from the bench to help ask questions of Spurs. One-way traffic at the moment.
Kane is the latest to have a shot deflected behind, as the visitors continue to ride their luck a little. Palace still looking a threat when they burst forward, though, particularly through the pacey Zaha.
CHANCE! Alli wants a penalty after being bundled over by Delaney. It looked to be a fair challenge, however, which perhaps explains the muted appeal. Spurs well and truly dominating this game of football now, but both Kane and Onomah fail to get a touch on Alli's cross-goal pass.
Bentaleb's volley from 30 yards out ends a good few yards wide of the target, as Spurs go for a more direct approach. Palace have done well to ride the wave of pressure, but there is still no sign of any changes from Pardew.
SHOT! Spurs playing a very dangerous game now as Dier is almost left exposed at the back, yet that is a risk they are willing to take. Alli's shot from 30 yards out looked to have provided the hosts with the goal they crave, only for the spin on the ball to take it wide at the final moment.
SAVE! Got to wonder just how much longer Palace can hold out. Eriksen's first-time shot from the edge of the box had supporters out of their seats once again, but it was a simple enough stop for Hennessey in the end.
This constant Spurs pressure really is incredible. Palace just cannot clear their lines at the moment, as they desperately look to keep hold of their slender advantage in this London derby. Superb cup tie for the neutral!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Chadli has a decent scoring record in this competition, and he will now have 25 minutes to build on that as he replaces Son. Pardew still, rather surprisingly, yet to make an alteration.
A moment of respite for Palace as Wickham and Adebayor lead a charge forward, but the former Spurs striker fluffs his lines when attempting to hold the ball up and Spurs come again. Pressure not quite as relentless as it was a few minutes ago - a sign that the hosts are tiring a little, perhaps?
Harry Kane and Joel Ward battle for the ball during the first half of this relentless cup tie. It has been a great clash for the neutral, but as we reach the 70-minute mark there is still just the one goal in it.
Spurs have struggled to find any rhythm to their game over the last five minutes or so, which is a welcome relief for the visitors. Palace showing no real signs of getting forward, though, unless it involves a counter-attack.
YELLOW CARD! It has been a fairly fiery match on the whole, but we have only just seen the game's first yellow card. Cabaye brought down Rose on the touchline to leave the referee with little choice but to go into his pocket.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! Palace have actually been on top for the last few minutes, getting a couple of half-decent crosses into box which the hosts managed to defend well. Palace finally make their first change of the match, as Adebayor is replaced by Bolasie.
Still just the one shot on target for Palace, which provided the game's only goal. Spurs desperately trying to find some sort of momentum, but it is just not happening for them at the moment.
Glorious opportunity for Palace to wrap up the game, as Wickham charges into the box with Bolasie free to his right. The former Sunderland striker decided to go alone, though, which proved to be the wrong choice. All he had to do was slip in his teammate for a clean shot on goal.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! Cabaye is given a pat on the back as he departs the field. Jedinak the man on in his place for these final eight minutes or so. Palace on the brink of dumping their London rivals out of the FA Cup.
Well for a 15-minute spell a little earlier in this second half it seemed a near certainty that Spurs would find a way through, but they have really struggled to create anything for a while now. Palace, it must be said, looking fairly comfortable heading into the closing stages.
YELLOW CARD! Bolasie sees yellow for a nasty challenge on substitute Ryan Mason. Bolasie has moved to the left, incidentally, with Zaha on the right and Wickham alone through the middle.
Onomah gets a shot away when left unmarked inside the box, but it is well defended by Dann who stuck a foot out and watched the ball sail behind for a corner. Time really is running out for the home side now.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Wickham sends the visiting fans into raptures when turning home Bolasie's shot-cross, only for the offside flag to correctly go up. The initial shot did not appear to be on target.
Just three minutes to be added on at the end of this second half at White Hart Lane. Spurs supporters urging their players on, but Palace are not giving their opponents any room to compose themselves in advanced positions.
YELLOW CARD! Zaha looks to spring another counter before being brought down by Rose. The full-back rightly shown yellow by referee Craig Pawson. Just 60 seconds left to play at White Hart Lane.
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace see out the remaining seconds to produce a real surprise result at White Hart Lane. Any hopes Spurs had of achieving a European and domestic treble this campaign come to an end, as Martin Kelly's first goal in five years earns his side a place in round six.
Spurs saw plenty of the ball for large parts of the second half, but they were unable to really do anything with it as they were made to suffer by their London rivals. That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at White Hart Lane, but be sure to stick around for plenty of reaction in the coming hours.
