Tottenham Hotspur finally put their recent woes to rest with a gritty 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, thanks to a landmark first senior goal from 19-year-old Archie Gray. It wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but for Thomas Frank and his Spurs side, it was a much-needed shot in the arm after a run of consecutive Premier League defeats. The result also deepened Palace’s misery, marking their third straight league loss and leaving their fans frustrated with familiar defensive frailties.
Gray’s decisive moment came just three minutes before half-time. With Palace once again struggling to deal with a set piece, Pedro Porro swung in a corner from the right. Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison both rose highest in a crowded six-yard box, flicking the ball on, before Gray pounced to nod home from close range. The finish was scrappy, but the significance was huge—not only was it Gray’s first goal for Tottenham, but it was also his first in 112 senior appearances since his move from Leeds in the summer of 2024.
The goal came at a critical juncture. Palace had dominated large spells of the first half, with Jean-Philippe Mateta causing persistent problems for Tottenham’s back line. Mateta fired narrowly wide and later climbed above Kevin Danso, only to head over from inside the six-yard box after Maxence Lacroix nodded Adam Wharton’s cross back across goal. Will Hughes and Justin Devenny also threatened, but Spurs’ defense—bolstered by Danso, who was deputizing for the suspended Cristian Romero—held firm under pressure.
Thomas Frank’s selection was forced by suspensions, with Xavi Simons and Romero both missing after red cards in the previous match against Liverpool. Danso’s inclusion nearly backfired in the fifth minute when he tripped Devenny, prompting calls from the home crowd for a red card. However, referee Jarred Gillett deemed there was enough cover for it not to be a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Danso escaped with just a warning.
Spurs, for their part, were hardly fluent in attack. Creativity was lacking, and they found themselves pinned back for long stretches. Yet, as Frank later remarked, it was the team’s ‘desire’ and ‘discipline’ that carried the day. "It’s so important to have that in the team in the long Premier League season," the Spurs boss explained. "You need to go to a difficult away ground like this and fight and get a clean sheet. To win 1-0, massive win in many ways."
Tottenham’s threat on the break and from set pieces was evident, even if the purists might have winced at the lack of possession and flair. Richarlison, restored to the starting lineup, thought he had doubled the lead in the 17th minute, only for his pigeon celebration to be cut short by an offside flag against Lucas Bergvall earlier in the move. The Brazilian was denied again later, this time after latching onto a Mohammed Kudus cross, but VAR ruled him offside by the slimmest of margins.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner could only bemoan his side’s familiar failings at defending set pieces. Missing defenders Chris Richards and Daniel Munoz through injury and Ismaila Sarr to international duty, Palace looked vulnerable whenever Tottenham had a corner or free kick. As Glasner put it, "We knew we had a mismatch as they say in basketball. We lost three headers in a row." That vulnerability proved costly yet again as Gray’s header found the net.
Despite trailing, Palace remained the more adventurous side for much of the contest. They finished with 15 efforts on goal, but only two found the target—a testament to both Tottenham’s defensive resilience and Palace’s profligacy. Nathaniel Clyne and Devenny squandered a golden chance at the far post in the second half, while Lacroix and Marc Guehi both headed wide from promising positions. The Eagles’ inability to convert pressure into goals has become a worrying trend, and their supporters made their displeasure known as the final whistle approached.
Frank’s substitutions helped Spurs regain a measure of control in midfield. Joao Palhinha replaced the injured Bergvall, steadying the ship as Palace threw men forward in search of an equalizer. With gaps opening up at the back, Tottenham nearly capitalized on the counter. Wilson Odobert came within inches of sealing the win, crashing a low shot off the post late on, while Rodrigo Bentancur was denied by a smart save from Dean Henderson in stoppage time.
For Tottenham, the clean sheet was as valuable as the three points. Their defensive composure in the closing stages—a quality often missing in recent weeks—was a welcome sight for Frank. The victory lifted Spurs to 11th in the Premier League table, closing the gap to Palace to just one point and easing some of the pressure on their manager ahead of his return to Brentford on New Year’s Day.
Palace, meanwhile, are left to reflect on another frustrating afternoon in front of their home fans. Despite dominating possession for long spells and creating several chances, their inability to defend set pieces and capitalize on key moments proved their undoing. As Glasner acknowledged, "The margin for victory for Spurs could, on the other hand, have been greater."
For Archie Gray, it was a day to remember. The young midfielder, signed from Leeds in the summer, showed the kind of poise and awareness that suggests his first goal for Spurs won’t be his last. As Tottenham look to build momentum heading into 2026, Gray’s breakthrough could prove a turning point—not just for the player, but for a team searching for identity and consistency in a challenging campaign.
With the festive fixture list in full swing and both teams facing crucial matches in the weeks ahead, this hard-fought win could be the spark Spurs need to climb the table. Palace, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they are to halt their slide and address the defensive issues that have now cost them dearly in three consecutive matches.
As the final whistle sounded at Selhurst Park, Tottenham’s players celebrated a victory built on resilience and determination. For a club in search of stability, it was a timely reminder that sometimes, grit and discipline can be just as vital as flair and fireworks.
