Four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win over Tottenham – Zaha back to his best and Edouard has a debut to remember

Crystal Palace picked up their first win under new manager Patrick Vieira on Saturday afternoon against Tottenham Hotspur, with a Wilfried Zaha penalty and a debut double from Odsonne Edouard giving the Eagles all three points against the Premier League leaders.

The 3-0 victory was the first time the Eagles have managed to win a London derby in their last 11 attempts.

Here are Edmund Brack’s four takeaways from Selhurst Park:

ZAHA BACK TO HIS BEST

Wilfried Zaha was back to his breathtaking best this afternoon.

Completing 10 dribbles and having the third most touches of any Palace player, the 28-year-old was fully immersed in the game.

His pace and trickery gave Emerson Royal a debut to forget, and he could have given Palace the lead but was cynically brought down by Japhet Tanganga on his route to goal.

The forward was rewarded for his efforts in the 76th minute when he coolly slotted home the penalty to give Vieira’s side all three points.

TYRICK MITCHELL’S GROWING IN CONFIDENCE

Playing in front of a full capacity Selhurst Park for only the second time in his career, Tyrick Mitchell’s performances are beginning to display a real sense of maturity.

Facing up against a side with world-class talent fully embedded throughout its ranks, in the shape of Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and the gallivanting Emerson Royal, Mitchell showcased an assured performance that highlighted why the Eagles chose not to sign a replacement for Patrick van Aanholt.

The full-back is also rapidly adapting to the style of play, with Mitchell having the most touches and second-most passes of any Palace player this afternoon.

EXCITING OPTIONS OFF THE BENCH 

Vieira only made one substitute against West Ham, with Jeffrey Schlupp coming on for James McArthur in the 88th minute. This afternoon, Vieira had the ability to call upon three of his new summer signings in Will Hughes, Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise.

It took just 27 seconds for Edouard to score on his debut. The £14million deadline day arrival showed his composure to turn home Zaha’s cross inside the area. Edouard doubled his tally with the last kick of the game, smartly driving the ball past Lloris to wrap up all three points.

And Michael Olise made his debut, too, replacing Jordan Ayew to see the game out.

PALACE DID MISS A SCORING INSTINCT TO TAKE THE FIRST-HALF LEAD

If Palace had their killer instinct in the first half, Vieira’s side could have taken the lead before half-time. The Eagles, who were very much the better side in the final stages of the first 45, were driving forward and penning Spurs deeper into their own half as they looked for a breakthrough.

Wilfried Zaha was the main threat for Vieira’s side, linking up well with Tyrick Mitchell down the left flank to cause the Spurs defence havoc.

The South Londoners showed more attacking impetus than Spurs but failed to find the net with one of their seven first-half chances.

The Eagles move up to 11th in the table and travel to Anfield next week to take on Liverpool.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD