Harry Kane overtook Wayne Rooney to become the Premier League's second-highest goalscorer of all time in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
The 29-year-old headed home his 209th top-flight goal on the stroke of half time to settle an otherwise mediocre London derby, as Ryan Mason picked up his first victory from his second spell as the club's interim manager.
The Eagles did a good job of frustrating their capital counterparts in the earliest knockings, but they had evidently not learned their lessons at defending set-pieces from last weekend's win over West Ham United - conceding all three goals from corners - and were nearly made to pay for it.
A dead-ball delivery from Pedro Porro found the head of Cristian Romero in the 17th minute, but the Argentine could only nod the ball onto the crossbar from eight yards out.
A few half-chances for both sides followed, but just when an uneventful opening 45 was seemingly destined to end goalless, a landmark goal for Kane gave the Spurs faithful something to cheer.
Harnessing his passing abilities, Kane firstly switched the play out to Porro, who had acres of space on the right to cross for his teammate to head home at the back stick.
100 - Harry Kane's opener was his 100th home goal in the Premier League, while he's also become the first player to score 10 headed goals in a single Premier League campaign. Milestones. #TOTCRY pic.twitter.com/KWZ5aUHOVj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 6, 2023
Kane's header was not a vintage effort from the England captain, but Sam Johnstone was beaten either way as the Tottenham talisman overtook Rooney with a 209th Premier League goal - and his 100th at home - to move into second place in the all-time charts.
In addition, Kane also became the first player to score 10 headed goals in a single Premier League season as the Lilywhites entered the break a goal to the good, but it was Palace who came out all guns blazing at the start of the second.
Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise continued to ask questions of the Lilywhites' defence on the counter, but Mason's backline stood tall, and Johnstone was required to make a stunning save from Son Heung-min to deny Spurs their second in the 76th minute.
A few skirmishes broke out as tempers flared towards the end, but Palace could not find their shooting boots from their previous goal-laden affairs under Hodgson and fell to a forgettable defeat.
Spurs have temporarily risen above Brighton & Hove Albion into sixth place thanks to Saturday's win, six points behind fourth-placed Manchester United having played two games more, and Mason now prepares to take his Champions League outsiders to Aston Villa next weekend.
Meanwhile, Palace have dropped back below Chelsea into 12th thanks to the Blues' 3-1 win over Bournemouth, and the Eagles - who are still not mathematically safe - return home to meet the Cherries next weekend.
Ben Knapton
