Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur

Crystal Palace

Walker, Edinburgh (Vega, 26), Anderton (Nielsen, 66), Ferdinand, Carr, Ginola, Scales, Iversen (Allen, 66), Sinton, Campbell, Clemence.

Attendance
25,634

Referee
P Durkin

Miller, Edworthy, Gordon, Roberts, Linighan, Warhurst, Shipperley, Dyer, Padovano (Veart 80), Rodger, Hreidarsson.

Subs not used: Baardsen, Dominguez

Subs not used: Nash, Davies, Zohar, Emblen.

Booked:

Booked: Edworthy, Veart

Goal Scorer: Shipperly 57

New boss, new expectations, same old Tottenham. If Christian Gross was unaware of the scale of the task he has inherited at White Hart Lane, he knows now after a depressing 1-0 defeat. Neil Shipperley's clever close-range finish from Marc Edworthy's low cross was the agent of Spurs' latest destruction, now 18 years since their last home win over the Eagles as Steve Coppell's side made it 16 points on the road. And Gross, sat on high beside Alan Sugar in the directors' box, found out exactly how tough a challenge he faces if he is to make good his first promise and arrest the fall of the once proud Cockerel. There was some of the teamwork, aggression and discipline Swiss Chris had demanded as the first steps to the promised land. But after suggesting that Les Ferdinand could become the new Harry Hotspur, the sad fact is that one win in 11 spells more of a need for Harry Houdini. Gross spoke to the Spurs fans via the big screen at White Hart Lane, admitting he was as unknown to them as they were to him before the Chris Hughton-picked side ran out. And after the first 90 frustrating minutes of his reign Gross might be considering asking if that now famous Underground ticket to his dream is a return. Certainly the aggression was there, Ferdinand - back after a five-match absence - and even David Ginola tackling back.
With Paul Warhurst initially looking a little lost as part of the Palace back three, Spurs had the bit between their teeth, even if it was not for long. Home fans were boosted by the rare sight of Darren Anderton, making only his ninth home start in 30 months, and the England ace tested Kevin Miller with a rising drive after only four minutes. The resulting Ginola corner was met by a Ferdinand volley that flashed over the top, while Anderton was just wide with a low free-kick as Spurs demonstrated the passion lacking in Gerry Francis' last days. Ferdinand's injuries had been viewed as a key reason for the dreadful goal return of just 11 in 14 games, and the England striker then had two chances in a minute.
First Steffen Iversen did well to reach a deep cross by Andy Sinton, nodding back for Ferdinand to crash into the side-netting from five yards. Then when Ginola's 40-yard ball put him in behind the visiting defence, Ferdinand just caught up with it before trying - and failing - to beat Miller at his near post. But Spurs were forced to make a switch when Justin Edinburgh made way for Ramon Vega, Sol Campbell moving to the left, and Palace, with Michele Padovano making a quiet but promising debut before being stretchered off injured near the finish, settled. Bruce Dyer flashed one shot not far away from Dean Gordon's centre and then, after Shipperly had nodded down, shot just wide on the turn. Spurs did come again before the break, Anderton firing at Miller and Ferdinand heading over, but the best opening came when Andy Linighan's clearance sent Dyer galloping away to fire wide. But Anderton, clearly lacking match fitness, drifted out of the game and Coppell certainly had reason to be pleased at the interval. It did need a fine diving save by Miller to keep them on terms seven minutes later after Ginola's tricky footwork had supplied Sinton 12 yards out. Palace, though, were showing why nobody has picked up more away points in the Premiership, defending in depth and breaking quickly, Gordon wasting a clear opening with options inside. And it was no real surprise when that ability to hit on the counter brought the breakthrough in the 57th minute. Edworthy beat Ginola, untangled his limbs and raced down the right to accept Andy Roberts' ball along the flank. The cross was in the right place but Shipperley, while looking marginally offside, still had plenty to do, nipping in front of Vega for the faintest of touches that rolled in off the far post. After that Spurs huffed and puffed but without ever really looking like blowing the yellow defensive house down. Iversen curled wide from Anderton - both were replaced within a minute as Allan Nielsen and Rory Allen came on - and Miller made saves from both the new substitutes. When Palace broke, Spurs were clearly vulnerable, although Coppell's men perhaps lacked the courage of their convictions. And if Ginola's left-footer had been two yards to the left 11 minutes from time they might have been regretting their reticence. But once Miller had denied Ginola again - no shortage of effort there - with three minutes left, the game was up, Carl Veart, on for Padovano, nearly adding to the misery in added time. One was enough and Gross will know the big truth. This team is not good enough.