Son Heung-Min was on target as Tottenham ground out an unassuming 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Wembley.

The South Korean’s winner was enough to secure three points for Spurs, who at times found it difficult to break down the Premier League’s bottom side.

The south Londoners were resolute at the back for much of the contest and offered a consistent threat on the counter through pacey wingers Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend.

However, the defensive frailties that have plagued Palace this term reared their head once again in the second half as they failed to clear their lines in the lead up to Son’s goal.

Tottenham made five changes to the team that recorded a historic win over Real Madrid in the Champions League mid-week, with Paulo Gazzaniga making his debut in goal standing in for captain Hugo Lloris.

But the Argentine almost made a nightmare start to his Spurs career, with just three minutes played when he narrowly avoiding conceding a penalty as he clattered into Mamadou Sakho attempting to claim a Zaha cross.

Palace were displaying the organisational qualities that are the trademark of boss Roy Hodgson’s sides and afforded Tottenham few chances in the first half.

Spurs were however able to get in behind the visitors’ back four in the 12th minute, Son rounding Scott Dann to break clear, before failing to find Harry Kane with a ball into the box.

The Eagles had warned in the first period they were capable of threatening on the counter and crafted two good opportunities shortly after the break.

Townsend first sprinted through the Spurs back line before flashing an effort across goal, forcing a save from Gazzaniga on 47 minutes.

Nine minutes later, the England winger set Zaha free, who rounded Gazzaniga before failing to find the target after Serge Aurier had gifted Palace possession on the half way line.

Despite Palace’s bright start to the second half, it was Spurs who broke the deadlock just after the hour mark through Son.

The Eagles initially failed to clear a Danny Rose cross before another low ball from the right was pushed out to the South Korean on the edge of the area, who swept home a curling effort.

Son perhaps should have added a second in the 81st minute after he was set clear on goal by Jan Vertonghen, only to pull his effort into the side netting.

The win sees Spurs consolidate third place in the Premier League table, with the four teams around them, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, all due to play later this afternoon.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side now have a fortnight to prepare for the North London Derby at the Emirates, owing to next week’s international break.