Tottenham Hotspur have spurned a number of chances to earn a victory over Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane in the Premier League this afternoon, as the sides played out a goalless draw in North London.
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After a slow start Spurs eventually sprang into gear as Christian Eriksen pulled off a standout nutmeg to beat his marker and get inside the box, before seeing his lashed effort crash into the side-netting.
Palace's first chance came in the 11th minute when James McArthur somehow found space inside the box, but his shot was way off target and failed to trouble Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.
The hosts continued to look shaky in the opening 20 minutes and they were almost undone by Palace midfielder Joe Ledley, who could only square his effort over the bar following some outstanding skill from Yannick Bolasie out wide.
Spurs should have taken the lead five minutes later as Ben Davies broke down the flank to provide for striker Roberto Soldado inside the box, only for the Spaniard to also send his attempt over from close range.
Soldado's profligacy was prevalent again going into the final stages of the first half, this time as the frontman was wasteful with his head after he was picked out by the marauding Eriksen out on the flank.
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Eriksen continued to colour the game as he did in the first half when he played in Soldado early in the second period, but again the striker was wasteful having lashed wide of goal.
Palace thought they had grabbed a potentially match-winning goal with 12 minutes to play when Jason Puncheon collected James McArthur's through-ball before beating Lloris, leaving the striker distraught when he turned to see the linesman raising his flag for offside.
Pochettino's charges were given another lifeline 10 minutes from time after Ledley failed to even force a save from Lloris despite breaking through on goal with only the keeper to beat, leaving the game to finish goalless.
Christopher Dodd
