Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Harry Kane has urged his Tottenham Hotspur teammates to “use the occasion” of the first European game at their new stadium against Manchester City next Tuesday night.
Spurs opened the new ground with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last night, and their next game is against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions in the quarter-finals of the Champions League .
City are favourites for the tie but Kane believes that the new stadium bounce – after months of delays – could help his side to reach the semi-finals.
“The players are all excited for [Tuesday] now,” Kane said. “We have been here and experienced our first game, but Tuesday night against City is going to be something special as well. We have got to try to use the occasion and the atmosphere to our advantage but it will be difficult.”
Kane said that opening the new ground felt like a “new era” for Spurs as goals from Heung Min Son and Christian Eriksen were enough to get past Palace.
Show all 22 1 /22Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Hugo Lloris 6 It was not even tested whether he has recovered from his Anfield mishap until the very end, when he made a sharp save with his legs to deny Zaha. Apart from that his kicking and handling looked confident enough.
REUTERS
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Kieran Trippier 7 Pushed up and down the right wing all game, dominating his side even though he started as a full-back. The delivery was not as good as it can be but this was still an improvement on recent weeks.
(Credit too long, see caption)
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Toby Alderweireld 7 Did not have too much defending to do but looked dangerous with the ball, hitting one diagonal to Rose reminiscent of Spurs’ attacking play at the old White Hart Lane stadium.
(Credit too long, see caption)
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Jan Vertonghen 6 Unruffled as ever in his new home, he nearly scored a late third goal with a clever header but was denied.
Action Images via Reuters
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Ben Davies 6 Given the protection of Rose in front of him as Spurs tried to shut down the Zaha/Wan Bissaka combination, Davies was untroubled at the back. Made one crucial stretching tackle on the edge of the box.
AP
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Danny Rose 7 Given a new role out on the left wing, he brought his usual energy and determination, getting into good positions and delivering well. Was given a standing ovation when he came off in the second half.
Getty Images
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Moussa Sissoko 7 Did not let his infamous Anfield error get to him, playing with his usual enthusiasm. He won some important defensive tackles in front of his own box and nearly laid on a good chance for Kane in the second half.
(Credit too long, see caption)
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Christian Eriksen 8 Has struggled recently but he was much better tonight, wanting the ball more, showing for it and getting into dangerous positions. He won it and set up Son for the first ever assist here, before smacking in a goal from close range to seal the win.
Action Images via Reuters
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Dele Alli 6 Deeper than usual, he did not have much defensive work to do because Palace were so cautious. He took up more attacking positions as the game went on and played one clever ball through to Kane.
PA
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Heung-Min Son 8 Will go down in history with his historic goal here, a reward for his hard work on the edge of the box, firing off a shot that was deflected into the net. Kept buzzing around all night, never giving Palace a second’s rest.
PA
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Harry Kane 7 Looked absolutely desperate to score here and he came close but it never quite fell for him. Still, it was his run down the inside-left channel that set up Eriksen’s goal.
Action Images via Reuters
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Vicente Guaita 4 Blameless for the goal given the deflection but lost his focus for the second. Never looked fully confident in his handling all night.
(Credit too long, see caption)
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Aaron Wan-Bissaka 5 Not the Wan Bissaka we are used to seeing, he had two Spurs opposite numbers to deal with and that restricted his opportunities for attacking down the right.
Action Images via Reuters
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace James Tomkins 6 Was playing well keeping Spurs at bay but was slow to react when Kane was brought down by McArthur and no-one was on hand to stop Eriksen from scoring.
Action Images via Reuters
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Martin Kelly 6 Quietly impressing during his spell in the team with Sakho injured, he did everything right here and was unlucky to be on the losing side.
Action Images via Reuters
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Patrick Van Aanholt 5 Struggled to make much an impression going forward in the first half, pinned back by Kieran Trippier’s advances down the right. Only pushed on in the second half when Palace were already behind.
(Credit too long, see caption)
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Cheikhou Kouyate 5 Provided more physicality for the Palace midfield but struggled to influence the game with the ball. Was taken off for Andros Townsend as Palace pushed to get back into the game in the second half.
REUTERS
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Luka Milivojevic 5 A frustrating evening climaxed when he lost the ball to Eriksen, chased hard to win it back and deflected Son’s shot past Guaita and into the goal.
(Credit too long, see caption)
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace James McArthur 6 Fortunate not to give away the first ever penalty at the new stadium when he brought down Kane late on, only for the referee to wave play on and Eriksen to score seconds later. Should have had a late assist for Benteke with a clever cross.
Action Images via Reuters
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Wilfried Zaha 5 Even he struggled to make an impact, and as the game wore on he looked increasingly distracted by petty battles with his opponents. Only came into the game in the last 10 minutes, when it was already too late, forcing Lloris to save with his legs.
(Credit too long, see caption)
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Michy Batshuayi 4 Cut an isolated figure up front, barely getting in the game at all. Whistled one shot wide from 20 yards but that was as good as it got all night.
REUTERS
Player ratings: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Jeffrey Schlupp 5 Had a quiet game tucked into the left of Palace’s midfield four, finding far fewer opportunities to counter attack against a well-drilled Spurs side than he usually does
REUTERS
“Being on the pitch just felt like home,” Kane said. “In the final year at the old White Hart Lane we finished unbeaten and I hope this will be the same. Obviously we have got four games left to look forward to and hopefully we will get the results.”
It was an emotional occasion with a pre-match ceremony but Kane relished the fact that Spurs have a home ground again, after almost two years of playing at Wembley instead.
“It was special,” Kane said. “It was hard because you are trying to focus on the game. It was an amazing match, a great night for the club and great to be a part of.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies