Christian Gross may need to take a slide rule rather than a big stick to Tottenham Hotspur when he takes charge at White Hart Lane today. Lack of precision rather than a lack of effort was Spurs' problem last night, several chances being missed before Neil Shipperley got his third goal in as many games for Crystal Palace.

Convention had demanded that Tottenham win handsomely. The departure of one manager and the imminent arrival of another has a wonderful way of concentrating players' minds.

Chris Hughton was in charge of the team last night but obviously Gross was the man to impress. No easy task, that, against a Palace side without a league victory at home but four wins away from Selhurst Park.

Michele Padovano, bought from Juventus for £1.7 million, lined up with Bruce Dyer and Neil Shipperley in a three-man front line.

Tottenham, however, were soon matching their opponents' confidence. Hughton used Darren Anderton, making only his ninth start to a match at White Hart Lane in 2 1/2 years, in central midfield where he soon found a rapport with David Ginola to give Spurs a fluency rarely seen this season.

After only three minutes Anderton produced a rising shot from 20-yards to draw an excellent save from Kevin Miller, who flung himself upwards and backwards to tip the ball over the bar. From the corner Les Ferdinand, back in the Tottenham attack after a five-match absence, was just off target with a well-struck volley.

Two minutes from the end of the half Ginola ran at the Palace defence with the ball before finding Ferdinand, who immediately laid it back for Anderton to produce a low shot that Simon Rodger deflected behind before it could trouble Miller.

In the 53rd minute Ginola drew three opponents towards him before slipping the ball forward to Sinton, who was in space, onside and had only the Palace goalkeeper to beat from close range. He aimed a shot towards the right-hand corner but Miller had judged the angle well and pushed the ball wide.

Another three minutes and Palace were in front. Marc Edworthy dispossessed Ginola on the right and after exchanging passes with Roberts outpaced Steve Clemence before crossing low for Shipperley's right foot to flick the ball back past Ian Walker and inside the far post.