Tottenham prove character as Brennan Johnson grows in importance for Ange Postecoglou

Tottenham avoided another slip up at home as they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 in a spirited late rally.

Eberechi Eze's free-kick on the hour put Spurs on course for consecutive home defeats but Timo Werner equalised in the 77th-minute before Cristian Romero headed them in front

Heung-min Son added a slick third for Ange Postecoglou's side to complete the comeback and move Spurs to within two points of fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Tale of two subs

This course of this game was dramatically changed by two substitutions shortly after the hour-mark.

Leading 1-0, Palace brought off goalscorer Eze, who was making his first start in three weeks after a hamstring injury, while Spurs introduced Brennan Johnson in search of a leveller.

The brilliant Johnson made two goals -- one superbly, one fortuitously -- to spearhead Spurs' comeback, while Palace lost their poise and threat without Eze.

Johnson, 22, is becoming Spurs' saviour from the bench and this was the third time he has been a decisive sub in recent weeks, having scored crucial goals in the home wins over Brentford and Brighton -- also games in which Spurs had to come from a goal down.

His assist for Werner was excellent, the Wales winger dispossessing Joachim Andersen on the touchline, riding the challenge of Jefferson Lerma and crossing for the German to finish at the far post.

He also set up Son's clincher, though he knew little about it, the ball falling to the Korea after Johnson won a 50/50.

You wondered if Spurs would have responded in the same emphatic fashion if the dangerous Eze had been fit enough to play 90 minutes, while Johnson is beginning to justify his £47.5million price tag and look like a real weapon for Spurs.

Comebacks aren't sustainable but show character

This game was not dissimilar to the victories over Brentford and Brighton here, with Spurs trailing before rallying to a late victory.

While these comebacks do not feel sustainable medium-term, as the defeat to Wolves last time out proved, they underline the character of Postecoglou's side and their depth in reserve since their mid-winter injury crisis eased.

Worryingly, however, Spurs cannot seem to shake their slow starts and continue to struggle against low blocks.

They have now not scored a first half goal in six home games this year, and Postecoglou will know they cannot keep relying on spirited rallies in the second half.

Better sides will not allow Spurs opportunities to get back in the game, however, and they need to sharpen up from the getgo for next weekend's visit to Aston Villa, even if a more adventurous opponent should suit Postecoglou's team.

Relief for Werner

The overriding emotion for Werner when he swept home Johnson's cross must have been relief.

Werner missed the only big chance of the first half in characteristic fashion, and up until his goal the squandered chance threatened to define his performance and maybe even the result.

Collecting Son's pass, Werner's first touch was excellent and he raced clear 1v1 with goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. But the closer he got to goal, the less confident he looked and his attempt to go round Johnstone was telegraphed, and the 'keeper was able to make a relatively easy save.

Werner's first Spurs goal -- and his first from open play since September -- was therefore much-needed, and the hope for Spurs is that it will give the loanee some confidence in the final third.

To Werner's credit, he did not let his miss affect him, and he was bright from the start of the second half, feeling he should have had a penalty for a clumsy challenge by Daniel Munoz.