LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League slump hit another low on Thursday night after a 3-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The defeat leaves Spurs just one point above the relegation zone, and it stretches their winless league run to a club-record 11 matches.
For a while, the hosts looked comfortable. However, the match flipped after defender Micky van de Ven picked up a straight red card. From there, Tottenham fell apart in a frantic spell, and Palace struck three times in six minutes before halftime.
Watch Match Highlights
- 34′ – Tottenham go in front: Dominic Solanke finished from close range after Archie Gray burst down the right and delivered a sharp cross. At that point, the Spurs looked settled.
- 38′ – The key moment: Van de Ven hauled back Ismaila Sarr as he broke in behind. Referee Andrew Madley showed a red card and pointed to the spot.
- 40′ – Palace level it: Sarr kept his nerve and buried the penalty for 1-1, and the momentum swung fast.
- 45+1′ – Palace take the lead: Jørgen Strand Larsen pounced on a shaky Tottenham back line and tucked in to make it 2-1.
- 45+7′ – Sarr makes it three: Sarr grabbed his second with a calm finish, punishing Spurs again as the half ended 3-1.
After the break, Tottenham pushed forward, but the attack lacked clarity. Palace stayed compact and managed the game well. In addition, Dean Henderson made key stops, including one from a close-range header, and the Spurs rarely looked like forcing a comeback.
Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings and Key Stats
Tottenham’s night turned on the sending-off, but sloppy moments and poor structure also hurt them.
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guglielmo Vicario | GK | Beaten 3 times, little chance to recover | 5.5 |
| Archie Gray | RB | Drove forward and assisted Solanke | 7.0 |
| Micky van de Ven | CB | Sent off, conceded a penalty | 3.0 |
| Cristian Romero | CB | Struggled once Spurs went down to 10 | 5.0 |
| Dominic Solanke | FW | Scored (34′) | 6.5 |
| Team Totals | – | Possession: ~55%, Shots: 12 (4 on target) | – |
Spurs had more of the ball, yet the threat faded after the red card.
Crystal Palace Player Ratings and Key Stats
Palace stayed sharp and finished their chances. Their pace on the break and smart movement made the difference.
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Henderson | GK | Strong saves, kept Spurs quiet after halftime | 7.5 |
| Ismaila Sarr | FW | Brace (40′ pen, 45+7′) won the penalty | 9.0 |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | FW | Goal (45+1′), took his chance well | 8.0 |
| Adam Wharton | MF | Controlled midfield, set the tempo | 8.5 |
| Team Totals | – | Possession: ~45%, Shots: 10 (6 on target) | – |
Post-Match Reaction
Tottenham head coach Igor Tudor said the dismissal changed the match, but he also pointed to wider problems in focus and discipline.
“We started well, but one moment shifted the game,” Tudor said. “We need to fight harder and stay disciplined.”
On the other side, Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised his team’s calm finish.
“We stayed calm and took our chances,” Glasner said. “This is a big win for us.”
Now the pressure grows on Spurs with difficult fixtures ahead, while Crystal Palace takes a big step away from trouble.
