2025 has been a pretty rotten year (Europa League final excepted) all things considered, but they ended it on a high note. With the team in the doldrums and their manager, Thomas Frank, seemingly on the hot
seat, Spurs got the job done today away at Selhurst Park with a 1-0 win. 19-year-old Archie Gray became Tottenham’s youngest Premier League goal scorer since Dele in 2016, heading in a goal off a corner kick for his first senior goal, and Spurs hung on in a scrappy performance. It was not a FUN match to watch, but Spurs fans probably won’t care, as the win was the first since December 6, and put them up to 11th, three points behind Sunderland in 7th.
Spurs thought they were ahead early after a lovely team goal finished off by Richarlison in transition, but the goal was called back after Lucas Bergvall was adjudged to have strayed offside in the buildup. Spurs’ defense looked a touch shaky at times in the first half letting Palace in behind on a number of occasions, but the defensive pairing of Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven, and some timely late challenges from Djed Spence, managed to keep Palace out.
Spurs’ breakthrough came late in the first half and from a corner kick — Randal Kolo Muani was able to center the initial ball to Richarlison, who had a header flicked on by 19-year-old Gray and into the net to put Spurs ahead. Tottenham took that slender lead into the intermission.
The second half wasn’t exactly champagne football. Spurs spent most of their time after halftime camped in their own half furiously defending Palace chances. But they did get a few opportunities on the counter. Richarlison had a second goal in the back of the net waved off by VAR for offside, and substitute Wilson Odobert looked lively as an impact substitute, at one point smacking a shot off the post. The match also saw the first minutes for Radu Dragusin since January 2025, as he came in for the last 10 minutes and change as a third CB to see out the match.
It definitely wasn’t a pretty game. It’s unlikely to change anyone’s mind about Thomas Frank and what he brings (or doesn’t bring) to the club. But it was a win — and this season Spurs can use all the points they can get.
Here are my match reactions.
Match reactions
- Annoyed not even five minutes in by the yellow shown to Kevin Danso when the Palace player appeared to trip over his own feet. Sigh. Why always us?
- It’s really a shame that Richarlison’s goal was called back for an offside on Bergvall in the buildup, because it was a really nicely worked team goal, something that’s been a rarity for Spurs this season. Great cross in from Pedro Porro, nicely tucked in by Richy. Shame it was all for naught.
- There wasn’t a ton of stuff to like in the first half, but I did think Mohammed Kudus had one of his best halves for Spurs in that opening 45. A few nice deep balls and some good progression, even if it was isolated progression.
- So, so pleased for Archie who was a little rough in that opening half, but he was in the right spot to flick Richarlison’s header into the back of the net to put Spurs ahead.
- It’s still telling that Spurs’ goal came from a set piece and not from open play — they were, again, predictably terrible going forward and in and around the Palace box. Their other two shots were a blocked attempt and a blast from Pedro Perro that went 30 feet over the bar. Spurs had 0.00 xG from open play in the first half.
- Richy is so unlucky, man. Two well-worked team goals converted by him, and called back for offside both times. Both are the right call I guess and Richy just needs to, IDK, not be offside, but it’s millimeters off and called by VAR review… how does this make the game better?
- Really impressed by Wilson Odobert, who looked snappy and dynamic in the few opportunities Spurs had going forward in the second half. He needs more minutes. Hopefully he gets them.
- The defense was actually pretty good today. The back line got carved open a few times early but were pretty much up to whatever Palace threw at them, although Palace were pretty wasteful with their chances.
- Very happy to see Radu out there. Don’t have much of a take on his play in such a short stint, but I’m pleased to see him back there after nearly a full calendar year out to injury.
- As pedestrian as that match was on the whole, Spurs did show glimpses of the team we thought we’d have late in this one with Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert looking lively and Spurs actually moving the ball and getting shot attempts.
- It’s a win! We won! It feels good, and it’s okay to celebrate!
