New Tottenham stadium lifts the mood as Spurs move back into third place

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Tottenham have won their first official match at their new stadium thanks to second goals from Heung-min Son and Christian Eriksen.

That wins moves Spurs back into third place in the Premier League table and ahead of north London rivals Arsenal.

It’s ended a run of five top-flight matches without a win – their run worst spell of form under Mauricio Pochettino.

Dan Kilpatrick was present for Tottenham’s opening night at their new stadium, and here’s his analysis…

New stadium, new mood

Tottenham's new home proved just the spark they needed as Mauricio Pochettino's side ended a dismal run of five matches without a win with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Heung-Min Son's 55th-minute goal made history and lifted the tension that had begun to creep into the breathtaking stadium during the first half, when the ceremony and emotion of the occasion gave way to the reality that Spurs desperately needed to win.

In Pictures | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium opening ceremony

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Christian Eriksen capped the result with a close-range second to ensure no nervy finale for the 59,215 supporters inside the ground, who serenaded the team with a raucous rendition of 'Come Of You Spurs,' led by the single-tier South Stand. The result moved Spurs' back above rivals Arsenal into third and ensured there was to be no jittery start at their new home. With four more winnable looking home games to come in the league, Spurs can suddenly look ahead with renewed optimism.

Son the history boy

No-one at Tottenham is more deserving of a piece of history than Son. The South Korean's goal may have been messy, taking a big deflection of Luka Milivojevic, but it was no less than he deserved for his superhuman efforts this season. Son has clocked-up more air-miles than a commercial pilot, competing in two international tournaments since the World Cup, and yet he has never stopped smiling and never stopped running. In spite of a recent dip, he has probably been Spurs' player of the season and the goal was his 17th in all competitions.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

You could see what it meant to Son as he celebrated and he received a standing ovation after being replaced in stoppage-time. Son will be remembered as one of the Premier League's greatest Asian players and now he will forever have a slice of Tottenham history.

Rose experiment a mixed success

Pochettino sprung a surprise in his XI, naming Danny Rose on the left of an attacking three behind Harry Kane, with Ben Davies at left-back. Perhaps the manager was concerned by the twin threat of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wilfried Zaha but, as Spurs made all the early running, Rose had little defending to do. The experiment was a mixed success.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters

The England international flung a few dangerous crosses into the box but he fluffed his big moment, looking like the defender he is when he opted to pass to Kane rather than shoot during a dangerous two-on-one. The front line should really be Spurs' strongest position, with Son, Dele Alli, Eriksen and Lucas Moura competing for places and Rose's deployment there underlined the weaknesses elsewhere, with Alli and Eriksen need further back. Rose was replaced with 20 minutes remaining and he will likely return to left-back against Man City next week.

Winks return a boost ahead of City

Harry Winks has only missed three league games with a groin problem but, such it Spurs' shortage of midfielders and their lack of games in March, it feels like he has out for an age. The England international played the final 20 minutes and his return is a significant boost for Spurs ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against City.

New stadium or not, Spurs cannot hope to have any control in the centre of the park against Pep Guardiola's side without Winks, particularly with Eric Dier continue to struggle with a hip problem. Pochettino deployed Alli in a deeper role from the start against Palace but the position nullifies his attacking threat and Spurs will need their big-game finisher further forward on Tuesday night. It was also fitting that local lad Winks, like Palace's second-half sub Andros Townsend, had the opportunity to play on this historic occasion

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