Afternoon all. After some midweek Capital One Cup action, the Premier League is back. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace exited that competition much earlier, so they should be fresh heading into this clash at White Hart Lane where three points are up for grabs.

Right, before we go any further, the teams news from the Lane has just started to filter through. Let's begin with the home side...

TOTTENHAM XI: Lloris; Walker, Chiriches, Dawson, Rose; Lennon, Bentaleb, Dembele, Eriksen; Adebayor, Soldado

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Friedel, Fryers, Naughton, Capoue, Chadli, Holtby, Defoe

There are no surprises in that Spurs side from Sherwood, who has named an unchanged team. Young midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has kept his place in the midfield, while Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado will continue as a strike partnership. There are alterations on the bench, with Lewis Holbty, Kyle Naughton and Toronto-bound Jermain Defoe all returning from injury.

And now for the away side...

PALACE XI: Speroni; Mariappa, Gabbidon, Delaney, Parr; Bolasie, Ward, Jedinak, Puncheon; Jerome, Chamakh

PALACE SUBS: Price, Moxey, O'Keefe, Williams, Bannan, Guedioura, Gayle

To be fair to Pulis, he's selected a positive lineup for this clash. Former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh will be joined in attack by Cameron Jerome, while Jason Puncheon will feature in a wide role. However, despite his goalscoring exploits against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup last time out, Dwight Gayle has to settle for a place among the substitutes.

Staying with Pulis, he has recently revealed his delight that Sherwood was given the chance to prove his managerial worth at Spurs. Here's what he told the club's official website: "I think Tottenham have got a fantastic group of players, a fantastic squad and Tim’s been given the job – I’m pleased that it’s an English coach that gets one of the top jobs and I’m sure he’ll make the most of it.

"He was a very, very good player, a very determined player. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times, I don’t know him that well, but he seems a very focused lad. He’s got a fantastic vehicle, he’s very, very lucky to get a club like Tottenham as his first job and I’m sure he’ll be determined to make a good fist of it."

And now let's here a bit from Sherwood, who has been paying tribute to striker Defoe. The England international, who is back in the squad today, will join Toronto in the MLS at the end of February: "Jermain has been immense. He is one of the best strikers this league has ever seen," the Spurs boss told reporters.

"His scoring record for club and country is second to none and long may that continue. I see him still having a future for England in the World Cup in the summer. I think he would [still get in the squad]. That instinct of scoring goals is never going to leave Jermain Defoe. He needs to wait until his legs have gone and they're far from gone at the moment."

So, what do previous meetings between these sides suggest? To be fair to Palace, their record is not too shabby. From 16 trips to White Hart Lane, they've avoided defeat on nine occasions, winning three of them. There are not too many clubs that can boast a similar record from matches away at the North Londoners.

The last time that Palace actually emerged victorious from a match at the Lane was back in November 1997 thanks to a 1-0 victory. Here's a blast from the past for you - the away side's goal was scored by striker Neil Shipperley, who had two separate spells with the Eagles, scoring some vitally important goals in the process.

More recently, these sides actually met on the opening day of this season. In fairness, Palace played quite well, but a penalty from Tottenham's Spanish striker Roberto Soldado was enough to separate the two teams at Selhurst Park.

What does the three points mean to Spurs today, then? Really they need the victory to stay in touch with the top four, simple as that. At the start of this weekend they are two points off Liverpool in fourth, but a defeat could see them be cut adrift. On the flip side, a win could actually see them leapfrog the two Merseyside clubs that are currently above them.

AS for Palace, a win would see them move out of the relegation zone, providing that both Cardiff City and Fulham both fail to win their respective matches. If Pulis was completely honest, though, he would probably see a draw as a good result for his charges, given the quality that the hosts possess.

PREDICTION: With just under 10 minutes to go until the action gets underway, let's have a stab at predicting the outcome of this contest. Spurs have found goals hard to come by for large parts of this season and in Palace they will come up against a side that should be well organised if little else. You'd expect the hosts to edge it, but only just. Let's go for a 1-0 Tottenham win, with Adebayor scoring the goal. A draw is a possibility, though.

Here come the two sets of players into what is a good atmosphere inside White Hart Lane this afternoon. The traditional handshakes are now taking place so not long until proceedings are off and running.

GAME ON! Palace, attacking from left to right during the first half, get this contest started. Remember, the three points are vital for both sides here.

Bright start from Palace as Joel Ward prods the ball through for Jerome, who is left through on goal. The linesman's flag saves Spurs, but replays show that the Palace frontman was just about onside. Then, moments later, Puncheon curls an effort from the edge of the area just wide of the upright. A couple of warnings for the home team.

It's clear that Palace have identified Tottenham's centre-back pairing of Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches as the players to exploit today. Neither is blessed with great pace and because of the high line that Tottenham deploy, they are vulnerable to strikers with speed.

SAVE! First effort at goal from Spurs and Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni almost makes a mess of things. Bentaleb's strike from 25 yards out is not the cleanest and should have been collected with ease. The Argentine fumbles, though, but reacts quickly to pounce on the ball with Soldado lurking for a tap-in.

PENALTY MISS! That is one of the worst penalties that you will ever see, trust me. First of all Chamakh wins it after being brought down inside the area by Mousa Dembele, who can have little complaint. Then it's over the Puncheon, who runs up all casual, before sending his effort from 12 yards with his instep high and wide. As you can imagine, Pulis is not amused.

Don't just take my word for it, here's former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann on Twitter:

Just witnessed the worst penalty ever #Puncheon — Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) January 11, 2014

To be fair to Palace, they've not allowed that howler from Puncheon to hamper them. They are much the better side, which has prompted Sherwood to come out on the touchline, where he is barking out a few orders to his Tottenham players.

Kyle Walker has just summed up Tottenham's performance so far. The full-back attempts a lofted cross-field pass to fellow defender Danny Rose, but there's absolutely no direction on his effort and the ball flies out of play. It's met by groans from the home fans, who are a little bit disgruntled at how their team have started.

Turning back to that Puncheon penalty for just a few seconds, here's a surprising statistic, courtesy of Opta: "Jason Puncheon is the first player to put their penalty off target this season in the @premierleague. Wayward."

Yannick Bolasie is playing extremely well at the moment. The Palace midfielder has won numerous challenges inside his own half, but he has also shown that he can be a danger to the home defence with a string of forceful runs forward.

As for Spurs, neither Soldado nor Adebayor have touched the ball that often. Both are yet to break into a sweat! To be fair to them, there is not much that they can do if the players behind them are being so wasteful in possession. Just now, Walker again is the culprit as his attempted pass forward rolls straight out for a goal kick.

What Soldado and Adebayor can do better is provide more movement. Spurs have actually had a lot of possession in the last few minutes, but are struggling to break through the lines. The strikers aren't helping because both appear to be rooted to the spot, with neither looking overly concerned about making a run which would drag the Palace defenders out of position.

SAVE! More positive work from Palace as Chamakh flicks the ball on for his partner Jerome, who is given space by Dawson. The Palace striker attempts a half-volley from the edge of the area, but Lloris is alert and able to parry away the ball. That's what Soldado and Adebayor should be doing up the other end - moving!

What an opportunity for Palace as Chamakh shows great pace and then strength to ease aside Dawson. Then, when it comes to the pass, he overhits it and Bolasie cannot get there. Had the pass been better, the Palace midfielder was through on goal. Meanwhile, up the other end Adebayor fails to make a connection with Aaron Lennon's cross towards the back post.

CHANCE! Chamakh is involved in everything right now. Spurs fail to deal with Puncheon's corner and it appears that the former Arsenal frontman has a routine finish. However, his goalbound effort is blocked by one of his teammates, namely Bolasie. As pleased as he will be with the performance, Pulis wil be disappointed that his side haven't scored.

OFF THE POST! How are Spurs not in front?! Bentaleb has been their best player so far and he's just gone so close to putting them in front. His curling strike from 25 yards out hits the inside of the upright and bounces across the line before rolling out for a goal kick. What an effort that was from the youngster, who deserved a bit more luck.

If Adebayor and Soldado continue to offer so little in terms of movement and workrate, it probably won't be long before Sherwood decides to introduce Defoe into the action. If nothing else he will put in a decent shift, which will give the Palace defence something to contend with. Right now, it is far too easy for them.

We've just had a bit of a stoppage in play because Chiriches hit the floor holding his face following a challenge in the air with Chamakh. The referee talks to the Palace striker, but there wasn't a lot in it and thankfully no card has been issued.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

So, Michael Oliver has brought an end to what has been a goalless, yet entertaining first half at White Hart Lane. There will certainly have been matches with goals this afternoon that have had less quality than this encounter.

One would imagine that a few teacups will be smashed inside the Tottenham dressing room during the break. Sherwood cannot be happy with what he has seen. His side started very poorly and did not improve too much as the half wore on. They've had plenty of the ball, but there has been a real lack of pace and creativity in the areas of the pitch that really matter.

As for Pulis, he will probably be equally as disappointed, but only because his team haven't scored. They've had the ball in some dangerous areas, but either the final pass or shot has been less than impressive. Then there was the penalty that Puncheon sent high, wide and not very handsome. That really was one of the poorest efforts from 12 yards that you are ever likely to see.

Going back to Spurs, it will not be long until Defoe enters the action, surely. To be honest, it wouldn't be a massive surprise if Sherwood decides to throw him on now because Adebayor and Soldado are just not offering enough. Yes they are not being helped by a lack of service, but there has been little or no movement from either of them.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Spurs, who surely cannot perform as bad in the second half, restart proceedings.

CHANCE! Better from the home team, as Soldado flicks the ball into the path of Eriksen. He could have shot first time, but dribbles further then goes for goal. Thankfully for Palace, Parr bravely throws himself in the way and the ball diverts out for a corner, which is cleared. Moments later, an injured Walker is replaced by Naughton in an early change for Spurs.

That, Palace, is what happens when you do not take your chances - you get punished. The Palace centre-backs both challenge for the same ball, but both are beaten by Adebayor. His flick is controlled by Eriksen, who with just Speroni to beat, lashes the ball into the roof of the net from close range. That's a smart finish from the Dane, who has started to show his credentials in front of goal of late. It's cruel on Palace, but that's the Premier League for you.

Adebayor has all of a sudden come to life in this second half. He is demanding the ball from his teammates and is popping up all over the pitch. Whatever Sherwood said to him during the break, it's worked.

SUBSTITUTION: Here comes Defoe, much to the delight of the home fans - it's clear that they don't want him to leave. He's replaced Soldado, who was very disappointing once again.

Puncheon really is having a bit of a shocker for Palace, it must be said. That horror penalty aside, he's been very wasteful in good areas of the pitch all afternoon. Just now he cut inside his marker, but his cross has far too much height on it and Lloris leaps highest to claim with ease.

CHANCE! It was almost the goal that all Spurs fans want to see, but Defoe just misses the target. He's given far too much time and space inside the area, but his effort is always curling away from the target and not even an onrushing Adebayor can make contact. The home side are starting to dominate proceedings.

Spurs are currently knocking the ball around the pitch with ease. What's more, with a lively Adebayor and now Defoe on the pitch, the midfielders also have targets up front to find. If the match carries on like this, it would be a surprise if the home side do not add another goal or two.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Pulis reacts to his side losing a grip on proceedings with a double change. Gayle and Jonathan Williams have been thrown on, with Bolasie and Jerome making way. Gayle in particular has the pace to cause problems to the likes of Dawson.

BOOKING! It's a caution for Palace defender Adrian Mariappa, who doesn't bother to argue. He clearly hauled back Rose as the Spurs full-back looked to make a move into the Palace half.

And that is what Tottenham will be missing when Defoe heads to Canada. Lennon finds him inside the area, but there is still plenty for the departing striker to do. He shows great feet initially to create himself the chance, before going on to neatly lift the ball over Speroni as the Palace keeper advanced off his line. He really is going to need replacing because at the moment Soldado doesn't look capable. That should be the three points sealed for Spurs.

SUBSTITUTION: The final change of the contest for Spurs and it is goalscorer Eriksen that exits the action. He goes off to a big applause, with Belgian international Nacer Chadli taking his place. His first involvement sees him fouled by Jedinak, who goes into the book.

BOOKING! The yellow card is coming out on a regular basis now. This time it's Spurs full-back Naughton who receives the caution for a high tackle on Palace's Parr.

SUBSTITUTION: A quite frankly miserable afternoon for Puncheon has been brought to an end as his number flashes up on the fourth official's board. He immediately sits on the bench and puts his head into his hands - he looks gutted. Adlene Guedioura has come on in his place.

Palace look a tired team now. They put so much effort into that first half, it was vitally important that they scored while they were on top. To make matters worse, right now Sunderland and West Ham United are winning elsewhere, which will see the South Londoners drop to the bottom of the table.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time at the end of this match.

CHANCE! What an effort from Guedioura, who chances his foot from 30 yards out. His swerving effort leaves Lloris rooted to the spot, but thankfully for him and Spurs, the ball flies literally an inch wide of the target. That would have been some goal from the Palace substitute.

So, following a poor performance during the first half, Spurs rallied after the restart and did enough to claim all three points against a Palace side who will be ruing that penalty miss from Puncheon.

That's all we have time for from White Hart Lane. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.