Only one word will do for Tottenham's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last Sunday: uninspired. Spurs were laboured, error-strewn and fortunate to come away with three points. If Palace had taken their chances, Tottenham might even have lost.
In hindsight, it was probably always going to be that way. Much as the manager, Mauricio Pochettino, and the players talked up their commitment and enthusiasm before the game, it was almost inevitable there would be some flatness after their 3-1 win against Real Madrid four days previously. Not so much from physical fatigue -- the players have become accustomed to playing two games a week -- as from the mental exertion.