Johnson saves point for Palace

Tottenham 1 Crystal Palace 1

Andrew Johnson wrecked Tottenham’s hopes of a record sixth straight league win with a late equaliser to earn a point for Crystal Palace.

After struggling to contain the visitors in the first half, Spurs were much stronger after the break and took a deserved lead through Jermain Defoe’s 20-yard shortly after half-time.

The goal came during Spurs’ best spell of the match – but they failed to score a second goal and Johnson made them pay with a low 22-yard shot that beat Paul Robinson for the striker’s 10th league goal of the season.

Although Palace did not perform well enough in the second half to merit that goal, Iain Dowie’s side bested their hosts in the opening period, and for those efforts their draw was deserved.

Spurs coach Martin Jol may regret his decision to make substantial changes for this match when he reflects on how the three points eluded his team.

Tottenham made four alterations to the team that won at Norwich on Boxing Day, with head coach Martin Jol recalling Defoe, Anthony Gardner, Rohan Ricketts and Reto Ziegler.

Robbie Keane and Pedro Mendes dropped to the bench while Thimothee Atouba (foot) and Nourredine Naybet missed out.

Joonas Kolkka (rib) and Ben Watson were left out of the Palace line-up, with Tom Soares and Vassilis Lakis coming in.

It was Palace who made the brighter start, and in the second minute, Danny Butterfield’s cross only just eluded Johnson and was scrambled behind, and Johnson had a goal ruled out seven minutes later.

Lakis’ 20-yard shot was not gathered by Robinson and the former Birmingham striker clipped the loose ball home, but Spurs were saved by the linesman’s flag.

The home side’s best chance came through Ziegler, whose 25-yard effort deflected off Gonzalo Sorondo and flew narrowly wide, while skipper Ledley King - making his 150th Spurs start – had to make a fine tackle to prevent Soares from having a shot on goal.

In the 24th minute, Lakis was released down the left and drove the ball across the six-yard box – but Johnson failed narrowly to supply the final touch.

Spurs were improving and almost took the lead in the 28th minute. Michael Brown’s 30-yard effort deflected into the path of Fredi Kanoute, and the Mali international’s strike from 20 yards was pushed around the left post by Gabor Kiraly.

Kanoute showed wonderful skill to control Brown’s lofted pass on his chest and evade Fitz Hall moments later, but his powerful shot was straight at Kiraly.

But Palace continued to be positive and Lakis wasted a wonderful opportunity after 34 minutes, failing to hit the target from 16 yards following some neat approach work by the visitors.

Iain Dowie’s men took heart and, after Aki Riihilahti had headed Wayne Routledge’s corner straight at Robinson, Johnson somehow failed to put his side in front five minutes before the break.

Teed up by Lakis, Johnson took two touches before shooting from six yards, allowing Robinson to make a superb save to keep the score level.

Mendes replaced the ineffective Ricketts for the second half, and gave Spurs more presence and purpose in midfield.

Brown’s left-foot shot from 20 yards was well saved by Kiraly shortly after the break and, in the 53rd minute, Defoe saw his strike from the edge of the area pushed on to the left post by the Hungarian goalkeeper before the ball was cleared by Butterfield.

But Spurs’ top scorer was not to be denied and he gave his side the lead from an almost-identical position a minute later.

Collecting a chipped pass from Erik Edman, Defoe struck a right-foot shot beyond Kiraly that went in off the right post.

Kanoute thought he had made it 2-0 just after the hour mark, but his close-range finish from Defoe’s through-ball was ruled out for offside, while England striker Defoe saw two more fierce efforts saved by Kiraly as Spurs took control.

Spurs appeared to be cruising towards their sixth straight win, but they were shocked 11 minutes from time when Johnson equalised.

The lively frontman was given too much room 25 yards from goal, and he punished Spurs by cracking a right-foot shot into Robinson’s right corner for his 10th goal of the season.

Defoe escaped Sorondo on the edge of the box a minute from time, but his sizzling low drive went inches past Kiraly’s left post – and Palace held on for their point.