Tottenham Hotspur are up and running in the Premier League with their first win of the season, having seen off Crystal Palace 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
Victor Wanyama scored the only goal of the game inside the final 10 minutes, making the most of some slack defending from the visitors to nod home.
Palace struggled to create clear-cut chances across the 90 minutes, with their hopes of holding out for a first point of the season being denied by Wanyama late on in North London.
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 Premier League meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane. The Lilywhites are seeking their first three-point haul of the campaign this afternoon, having been held to an opening-day draw at Everton, while the Eagles kicked things off with a defeat against West Bromwich Albion.
Spurs tend to make slow starts to their campaign, as witnessed 12 months ago when it took them five games to get off the mark with their first victory. A point at Goodison Park is not the worst of results to kick things off this time around, particularly with Everton now under the management of Ronaldo Koeman, but Mauricio Pochettino's side must follow that up with three points on home soil today.
Palace have this year shown the form of a side that will more likely be battling relegation that scrapping for a place in Europe, meanwhile, with their disappointing defeat to West Brom making it still just the two league wins in 2016. They did taste victory here in the FA Cup not so long ago, though, and with a record signing now on the books the club could well push on to replicate last year's early-season success.
TEAM NEWS!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Vorm, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Wanyama, Lamela, Eriksen; Janssen, Kane
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Puncheon, Ledley; Townsend, Lee, Zaha; Wickham
Starting with a look at the home team, then, and the interesting news is that Vincent Janssen - talked of so highly by Pochettino seven days ago - comes in for Dele Alli who drops down to the bench. Janssen can both compliment and replace Kane when needed, but he will be tasked with teaming up with the Englishman this afternoon to kick-start what could well be one of the most formidable forward lines in the division.
It had already been confirmed heading into this match that Michel Vorm would deputise for the injured Hugo Lloris. While the Dutchman hardly boasts the finest of win rates at Tottenham, there is no denying that he is still one of the finest shot-stoppers around, and he is given a run of games to prove himself to Pochettino as skipper Lloris rues the injury sustained early into the Lilywhites' opener last weekend.
Other than the arrival of Janssen in attack and Vorm in goal, the Spurs starting lineup certainly has a familiar look to it. The Eric Dier-Victor Wanyama defensive-midfield partnership may take some time to blossom, but in Wanyama Spurs have recruited one of the most sought-after destroyers in the division. Erik Lamela is the other home player to look out for this afternoon following his point-earning display on Merseyside seven days ago.
Just the one alteration for the visitors, meanwhile, as Joe Ledley takes the place of recently-departed midfielder Mile Jedinak. The Welshman had a hugely impressive European Championship campaign, having incredibly battled back from a broken leg, and he is given a chance to impress in North London ahead of the benched Yohan Cabaye - another to have featured, albeit less sparingly, at Euro 2016.
There has been a lot of debate regarding the number-one spot at Selhurst Park this season, but it is Wayne Hennessey who looks to have won that battle having retained his place in goal today. Julian Speroni makes the bench, with Steve Mandanda nowhere to be seen. Also no room for summer recruit James Tomkins in the centre of defence, with Scott Dann and Damian Delaney instead continuing their partnership.
BENCH WATCH!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: McGee, Davies, Carter-Vickers, Carroll, Onomah, Mason, Alli
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Speroni, Tomkins, Kelly, Cabaye, Mutch, Anderson, Ladapo
Plenty of youngster involved in the matchday squads today, then, with Keshi Anderson and Freddie Ladapo both looking to make their Palace debuts from the bench. Tomkins is another potential debutant should he be required, while Jordon Mutch is back to full fitness - for now - and also available. Spurs have an incredibly weak bench on the face of it, with Alli the only serious game-changing option for Pochettino to turn to.
Harry Kane top-scored in the Premier League last season with 25 goals in all, but Pochettino was desperate to bring in some attacking support during the summer. He managed exactly that with the arrival of Vincent Janssen, who is handed his first start after adding another dimension to the Spurs attack at Goodison Park last weekend.
So as touched upon a little earlier, Tottenham are aiming to pick up their first win of the campaign this afternoon following that positive-enough draw at Everton seven days ago. Lamela was the key figure in that one, glancing home a second-half leveller to make it seven goals and assists combined in his last seven outings for the club. It took Spurs five games to truly hit their stride last term before mounting that incredible charge in the second half of the season, although they did fade away rather badly in the end.
Pochettino recently admitted that he wanted to "kill his players", in fact, following a run of form that saw them take two points from a possible 12 to see out the campaign. A little harsh, maybe, considering that they did so well to initially put any sort of pressure on eventual champions Leicester City, but a final-day thrashing at relegated Newcastle United certainly left a sour taste in the mouth as the players headed off for their summer breaks.
Spurs are still looking to bring in three new faces before the transfer window closes in 11 days' time. Today's bench, which is of course missing Moussa Dembele as a result of his six-game ban, is very weak when put up against some of Spurs' rivals for the title. The Lilywhites are also competing in Europe this campaign, so strengthening is going to be vital in the coming days and weeks. Christian Eriksen does look likely to remain, though, with a new deal said to be close to completion.
Pochettino's transfer business has been shrewd enough so far, bringing in two players - Wanyama and Janssen - to plug two positions that required further strengthening. There is no denying that further additions are required, however, particularly with the Spurs boss hitting out at the fixture schedule this week which is surely only going to get worse. Poch felt that there was not enough time between Euro 2016 and the start of the new campaign, which was to blame for Lloris's latest injury setback.
European football will return from September, of course, making matters all the worse for a side who like to play a highly-energetic style of play. Only Liverpool covered more miles in last weekend's opening round of fixtures, while on the flipside Palace covered fewer than anyone else. Running a lot does not necessarily win you games, though, as the Eagles themselves proved here when claiming a famous FA Cup victory in February en route to the final.
DID YOU KNOW? Harry Kane has now gone three Premier League games without a goal for Tottenham Hotspur. The Englishman - a flop at the Euros this summer - last went a longer period without hitting the net at the start of last season when going six games before scoring the first of 25 for the campaign, five of which came via the penalty spot.
While Spurs may have fallen off the pace at the back end of last season to eventually somehow finish below rivals Arsenal, it was still largely a campaign to remember for the Lilywhites as they bagged their best-ever finish in the Premier League. It was looking like being a similar sort of season for Palace for large parts, although they fell away in an even more dramatic style come the turn of the year to finish closer to relegation than to a place in Europe.
It is just the two wins in 20 for Palace in the league since the turn of the year, although their drastic collapse was softened by their run to the FA Cup final. Alan Pardew so nearly made himself a hero at Palace in that showdown with Manchester United at Wembley, only for a cruel Jesse Lingard goal to steal the cup away from him at the last. It must be remembered that the Englishman targeted a place in Europe at one stage pre-Christmas - views that clearly jinxed his side.
Alan Pardew guided Palace into European contention heading into the new year, but a run of two wins from 19 games in the second half of the season saw the Eagles simply glad to see the campaign end, with relegation a real possibility at one stage. Things did not start in the greatest of manners this term, either, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Brom seven days ago.
Palace have finally managed to shore up their attacking options, however, having announced the arrival of Christian Benteke earlier today. The Belgian may have been a flop at Liverpool, but he has proven Premier League pedigree with Aston Villa and could well match that West Midlands success further South in the English capital. The deal is thought to be worth around £32m with add-ons, which Pardew admits is a "brave move" for his side.
There is no denying that a prolific striker was desperately needed at Selhurst Park, however, with the club's current forward options just not being able to find the net on a regular basis throughout the season. Pardew did say recently that he was after two new strikers this summer, but it remains to be seen whether the budget will stretch any further now that £32m Benteke has been recruited from Liverpool.
The loss of Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie this week, both of whom featured in the defeat to West Brom, meant that Palace had to act fast to bring in what Pardew describes as an "iconic" figure. The Belgian will play no part this evening, although he could well feature in one or both of the upcoming games prior to the international break at home to Blackpool and Bournemouth.
With kickoff in North London now a little over 10 minutes away, let us turn our attention towards some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Mauricio Pochettino: "They are not machines. The problem is that in football, the managers and players need to make the decisions about the competitions but sometimes the decisions are always from the people who never play football. We need to be like we are in the circus - juggling. Come on, all the pressure is on the managers, always.
"If you put a player in who you don't give holidays and he gets injured, it's your fault. If you give rest and he doesn't play in the commercial games, you are guilty. Always it is the manager's fault, always, always. The problem is the organisation of the competition. You cannot play the Euros and start [the Premier League] on 13 August. How can you give rest to the players after the whole season?"
Alan Pardew: "Our fans after the West Brom game were disappointed but it won't be more of the same. That's why we're making changes. I'm making changes to make our form better, results more consistent. This group are great and should get a lift by a signing.
"The easy thing to do at the end of last season was find excuses but I've made changes in everything we do to try and take us forward. Tottenham at home isn't an ideal away game for our first so we'll have to be at our best. The way Tottenham play we have to be very good defensively, but luckily we can do that."
Pochettino making it known there that he is not happy with the scheduling of the Premier League, but it is a level playing field in that respect. Pardew, on the other hand, admits that today's trip to North London "is not ideal" following last week's disappointing home defeat, but he believes the signing of Benteke will help to motivate those travelling supporters.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Four of the last seven league meetings between these two sides at White Hart lane have ended in a draw, with Tottenham winning two and Palace claiming three points on the other occasion. The Eagles have lost four of the last six encounters overall in the top flight, earning their only victory during that run in Pardew's first game in charge. Going further back, Neil Shipperley hit the winner the only time Palace defeated Spurs at White Hart Lane, back in November 1997.
So plenty to play for at White Hart Lane this afternoon, then, in what should be an entertaining London Derby clash. Spurs are back in action next Saturday when taking on Liverpool here in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff, so victory in this one really is a must if Tottenham are to avoid heading into the international break playing catch-up much like they did a little over 12 months ago in 2015-16.
Palace are boosted by the arrival of Benteke from Liverpool and, although they do not have the Belgian in their ranks this afternoon, that should give those attacking players in the squad the shove they need to fight for their place. The Eagles did also win the last meeting here between these two sides, remember, when earning an FA Cup victory en route to reaching the final. What Pardew would give for more of the same over the next couple of hours!
Both sets of players are now out onto the field of play, with kickoff at White Hart Lane in this London derby meeting just a matter of moments away!
KICKOFF! We are up and running in North London, where a terrific atmosphere has greeted both sets of players. Tottenham Hotspur looking to make a positive start on home soil, but Delaney clears up for Crystal Palace on his landmark 100th appearance for the club.
SAVE! The first shot on target of the afternoon arrives just short of three minutes in, as Zaha makes inroads into the box before laying it off nicely for Puncheon to blast. It was right down the middle, though, and Vorm was easily down to collect.
Townsend and Zaha have swapped flanks this afternoon, incidentally, with both now perhaps being given the chance to cut inside and shoot. Zaha has already worked a decent chance for his side when laying the ball off for Puncheon's fizzed shot.
Alderweireld decides to go on an adventure down the right-hand flank, being allowed to continue driving towards the byline before eventually getting in a cross. Kane did well to make something of it, connecting with the ball and earning a corner from Dann's deflection.
Wanyama brushes off Ward with ease down the right and hangs a cross into a central position. Hennessey read the danger well, though, and was there to collect in a comfortable manner before Kane or Janssen could get on the end of the ball.
Zaha is crowded out down the right when looking to make something happen. Up the other end, Townsend wins back possession for his side on his return to White Hart Lane. We see returning players score against their former sides so often - one to watch, that.
CHANCE! Alderweireld is somehow left unmarked inside the Palace six-yard box from a corner, but can only head the ball right at Hennessey. A huge miss for Spurs, but Kane quickly runs into the box and forces another stop out of the Welshman at his front post.
Tottenham very much controlling the opening 15 minutes of this match, creating that one big chance for Alderweireld which was somehow squandered. Puncheon and Kane have also had shots saved in a lively start to the match in North London.
Janssen just makes a yard for himself on the edge of the box, but can only send his curled effort well over the crossbar. The Dutchman looked impressive in the second half at Goodison Park last week, though we have not seen a lot of him thus far today.
This match is so incredibly open at the moment, with Spurs the side still on top overall. Palace were massively outnumbered a few moments ago, with a four against two situation not capitalised on by the hosts. Eriksen just had too many options in the end and slipped when finally playing through a teammate.
CLOSE! Wanyama is having a good home debut so far, winning another corner for his side which the Kenyan midfielder heads over from 10 yards out. Palace with a couple of early contenders for Worst Making of the Season twice already this afternoon.
Ledley fouls Lamela 30 yards from goal to concede a free kick, which the Argentinian sends right into the wall. Spurs knocking on the door for that breakthrough goal at White Hart Lane, having come close a few times already.
A fifth corner of the contest already for Spurs, taken by Eriksen, is cleared by the first man. The visitors just unable to get any sort of hold on this match with 25 minutes now on the clock.
Some good work by Lee inside the box ends with Townsend working a shooting position 25 yards out, which he sends high into the stands. That is met by more than a few ironic jeers from home supporters, who have seen that often enough from the Englishman down the years.
YELLOW CARD! Zaha is the first player to be booked this afternoon for a challenge on Alderweireld. Been a lively opening half-hour here at White Hart Lane in this London derby, but not a particularly feisty affair in truth.
SAVES! Superb from Hennessey, who keeps out three shots in succession. Kane's deflected attempt is the first to be pushed aside, before the Welshman got up to deny two Janssen attempts in quick succession.
Palace just need to take the sting out of the game now, with Spurs coming closer and closer to an opener. Pardew may be tempted to change things around in the second half, although Dann is currently struggling and may have to make way before the interval.
Dann remains on the pitch for the time being, but Pardew certainly weighing up his options. The damage was caused by a tackle from Janssen, who appears to be playing slightly ahead of strike partner Kane at the moment.
SHOT! Townsend's shoot-on-sight policy continues, with a weak attempt from all of 35 yards out which trickles into the arms of Vorm. Palace unable to get Wickham in the game, with the striker barely having a touch of the ball.
Eric Dier the latest player to receive some treatment, yet he appears to be OK to continue. Spurs still very much on top but the chances have dried up since that triple Hennessey save nearly 10 minutes ago. Rose could have changed that only to be crowded out when played through.
The Lilywhites could well edge into double figures for corners won in this first half. The latest set-piece delivery is met by Alderweireld but he cannot direct the ball on target, unlike earlier in the match when testing Hennessey.
Kane plays the ball over the top for Janssen to chase down, but again Hennessey reads the danger well and races out to get to the ball before the Dutchman. Palace get forward moments later, with Townsend blasting into Vertonghen to sum up the visitors' frustrations.
A very subdued atmosphere around White Hart Lane at the moment, not helped by the number of niggling fouls. The half badly petering out, with just two minutes of added time to come before the interval in North London.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
The referee blows his whistle to bring an end to a first half that Tottenham Hotspur have had the better of. Crystal Palace have had to ride their luck in the opening 45 minutes, including with the final act of the half which saw Kane blast narrowly wide.
Spurs had by far the better of the first-half chances, but it was Palace who got away the first on-target attempt of the afternoon when Wilfried Zaha laid the ball off for Jason Puncheon to blast down the middle. Toby Alderweireld somehow squandered the chance to put the hosts ahead soon after, as he headed right at Wayne Hennessey when picked out unmarked from a corner inside the six-yard box.
The Lilywhites were beginning to see more and more of the ball as the contest wore on, with home debutant Victor Wanyama enjoying himself in midfield as he won a corner which in turn was turned over the bar from a promising position by the Kenyan. Hennessey was proving to be in inspired form when called up, however, keeping out a Kane attempt for a second time on the half-hour mark, before getting up to produce a double-stop to prevent Vincent Janssen getting off the mark.
When Palace did venture forward there was a disjointed feel to their attacks - Andros Townsend twice failing to convert from long-range shots, while Connor Wickham was left badly isolated up top. Kane was to come close for one final time on the brink of the interval, blasting narrowly wide from the edge of the box after being picked out by Erik Lamela.
Not a great deal of options available for Pochettino to choose from, but he does have Dele Alli among his back-up players. A similar story for Pardew, meanwhile, who is without the services of £32m striker Christian Benteke this afternoon.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: McGee, Davies, Carter-Vickers, Carroll, Onomah, Mason, Alli
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Speroni, Tomkins, Kelly, Cabaye, Mutch, Anderson, Ladapo
RESTART! We are back under way at White Hart Lane, where there is news of one change to bring you. Yohan Cabaye has replaced Joe Ledley in the centre of the park - one Euro 2016 star being replaced by another.
The referee has asked for the floodlights to come on early at White Hart Lane due to the gloomy conditions in North London. Quite a contrast from the opening weekend of the season when the sun was shining up and down the land.
Spurs continuing where they left off in the first half, as Eriksen makes some space inside the box and chips the ball into a promising position. Hennessey was the first to it, though, collecting the ball and quickly looking to release a teammate.
Janssen showing just why he will become such a hit around these parts as he tracks all the way back in an attempt to win the ball back from Zaha. A bit overenthusiastic from the Dutchman on this occasion, though, as he goes in a tad too hard.
Pretty much Palace's best moment since the opening few minutes of the game, as the ball bounced around in the box. It looked for a second as though Townsend was going to lash it towards goal, but Rose just about got his head to it first.
Far more encouraging for Pardew and those travelling supporters, as Palace again get forward and fire away a shot through Cabaye. Much like Townsend on a couple of occasions before him, this one ends well wide of the target in the end.
CLOSE! Harry Kane comes within inches of putting Spurs ahead, as he dives onto Dier's fine over-the-top pass and heads narrowly wide of goal. Hennessey was diving across but probably would not have got there on this occasion.
Kane is moving towards four Premier League games without a goal for Spurs, and that shows no signs of changing as he blasts high over the bar from a long-range half-volleyed attempt. The Lilywhites dominating possession as we enter the final half-hour.
YELLOW CARD! Palace are told to play the advantage following a foul in midfield, but Townsend sloppily gives the ball away and Kane is allowed to counter. The Englishman's cross was badly overhit, though, and Palace were able to regather. Walker has become the second player to see yellow.
CHANCE! Without question the visitors' best opening of the match, which falls to their star midfielder Cabaye. Townsend laid the ball across to the unmarked Frenchman 10 yards from goal, but he got his contact all wrong and sent it well over.
Palace had a two-minute spell in the first half when they were on top - this latest spell has lasted a fair while longer. The Eagles looking much better in attack all of a sudden, but still the ball is not finding its way anywhere near Wickham.
YELLOW CARD! The game now beginning to get an edge to it at long last - you would expect nothing less from a London derby! Janssen goes in late on Dann but avoids a booking, though just moments later the Palace man is shown a yellow for pulling back on his opponent.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Jan Vertonghen is the latest player to be booked, with Palace now enjoying far more of the ball. The first Spurs change of the match is made - Dele Alli on for Eriksen with 20 minutes left to play.
CHANCE! Alli, on the field for a minute, plays a perfect pass for Janssen who is clean through on goal. With just Hennessey to beat, the summer signing completely miscued his effort and sent it well wide of the target. Best chance by quite some distance.
This has been a very entertaining second half at White Hart Lane, thanks to Palace's ability to put attacks together all of a sudden. Zaha's charge down the flank is halted on this occasion, allowing Spurs to come forward themselves with 16 minutes to play.
Zaha fails to make the most of things when getting on the end of a Souare cross, as Spurs are given another little let-off. Alli and Kane then link up for the latter to blast right into Delaney on the edge of the opposition box.
YELLOW CARD! Dier wins the ball from Lee but follows-through and is shown a yellow card. Both managers still have two changes left to make as we approach the final 10 minutes. Still plenty of time for a winner here.
SHOT! Spurs doing everything but scoring at the moment. A couple of loose balls are pounced on by white shirts on the edge of the area, with Alli swinging his attempt narrowly over Hennessey's goal.
Rose with acres of space down the left, but Janssen cannot turn it home when picked out thanks to a fine Delaney challenge. The Palace centre-back just dived in the way of the Dutchman's attempt at the expense of a corner, rather than a goal.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS! Delaney stayed down after that block a couple of minutes ago, and has now been replaced by debutant James Tomkins. Jordon Mutch also on for the closing stages, replacing Lee for the final stages in North London.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE (VICTOR WANYAMA)
Yet more poor defending from a corner costs Palace on this occasion, as Kane heads a corner towards goal for Wanyama to flick on into the net. A debut goal for the Kenyan ace, just seconds after the warrior that is Delaney departed the field.
So Palace now have two minutes to find a response. Their defending from set-pieces has been poor all afternoon, as it was last weekend when they were undone by Rondon's winner. Dann given a talking to by the referee but avoids a second booking.
SHOT! Palace with a great opportunity to level up here at the death, but once the ball is worked to Townsend a find block from Vertonghen denied him a leveller on his return to White Hart Lane. Pochettino about to make another change.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Harry Kane is replaced by youngster Joshua Onomah - his first appearance of this season in the second of five added on minutes. Not quite over yet for the hosts, who must see out some late danger.
SHOT! A rate shot on goal from the visitors, as Mutch dribbles forward and unleashes an effort that Vorm barely had to break a sweat to keep out. Just 60 seconds to go now at White Hart Lane!
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
Tottenham Hotspur hold out with relative ease in the final minute to claim all three points. Victor Wanyama scored the only goal of the afternoon, capitalising on some slack Crystal Palace defending to give the hosts their first win of the campaign.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at White Hart Lane. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while coverage of the evening kickoff in the Premier League between Leicester City and Arsenal can be found here. Enjoy!
