Mateta brings Crystal Palace to life against flat Tottenham Hotspur

Jean-Philippe Mateta's first-half goal dealt Tottenham a blow and lifted Crystal Palace to their first Premier League win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park.

Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou, without captain Son Heung-min, handed 17-year-old Mikey Moore his first league start, and it soon became clear the hosts were going to make it more difficult for the visitors than perhaps some expected.

Mateta grabbed the game’s only goal in the 31st minute, and while Brennan Johnson struck the post in a near-instant reply, neither side were able to alter the scoreline despite a decent number of chances at Selhurst Park.

Three points at home also meant Palace swerved slumping to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, having entered the contest without a victory in eight matches.

The hosts got off to an encouraging start, but both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in the early stages.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner was forced to call upon Will Hughes to replace Jefferson Lerma, who limped off in the 22nd minute.

Action had barely resumed when Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski went down, then Pedro Porro near the touchline soon after. The former required treatment but both were deemed fit to continue.

Maxence Lacroix nodded an effort over the crossbar then Ismaila Sarr went a bit closer, firing straight at Guglielmo Vicario before Mateta broke the deadlock.

Spurs allowed Daniel Munoz to swoop in and pounce on a loose ball from a cross to the right of the penalty area. The Colombian’s delivery found Ebere Eze, who in turn set up Mateta with a deft move and the Frenchman netted the opener with a low finish.

The visitors went within inches of a swift reply on the counter-attack when Johnson clipped Dean Henderson’s left