Werner finding Spurs groove - and even a goal

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 3 Crystal Palace 1 

Almost two years after his last goal for Chelsea, Timo Werner is still proving to be an enigma, but at least he has found a role at his new home that suits his strengths and could help Tottenham qualify for a Champions League place.

Chelsea paid €50m back in 2020 for the German forward, who is neither an out-and-out winger nor a number nine, but he failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge and the Blues took a €25m hit when they sold him back to RB Leipzig two years later.

Ten goals in 56 games was a poor return for a man tasked with leading the line for Chelsea, and once back in Germany, he failed to find the goalscoring form of old that had made him one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards.

But Ange Postecoglou’s system at Spurs is ideal for fast-raiding widemen who can score the odd goal, and although Werner is as erratic as ever with his finishing, he is playing a key role in Tottenham’s push for a top four finish.

On Saturday against Crystal Palace, he overhit a couple of crosses and missed a golden chance to put Spurs ahead, but after Eberichi Eze scored a spectacular goal for the Eagles, Werner equalised to spark the now traditional Tottenham comeback.

Cristian Romero’s header put them in front soon afterwards, and Heung Min Son showed Werner how to finish when one-on-one with the goalkeeper to secure three points. The German had earlier missed a similar chance, but otherwise gave Palace’s defence a torrid time and should have had a penalty after being tripped in the box.

Werner has acknowledged that his primary role is not to score goals but more to assist with their fast breaking, attacking play, and admitted he was delighted to score his first