Tottenham Hotspur achieved a crucial 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on December 26, 2025, alleviating some pressure on manager Thomas Frank. The win marked a significant turnaround for Spurs, who had faced mounting criticism after losing five of their last eight matches, leaving them in 14th place in the Premier League on Christmas Day.
The match saw Archie Gray score his first goal for Tottenham, a header in the 42nd minute that decided the contest. The result propelled Spurs up to 11th place, just four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea. Frank will return to his former club, Brentford, on December 30, where the need for consistent performance will be crucial.
Palace, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive league defeat, highlighting the club’s need for reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window. Manager Oliver Glasner watched as his players struggled to capitalize on their chances throughout the match despite a strong effort.
The first half was characterized by limited opportunities. Tottenham had a goal disallowed in the 17th minute when Richarlison‘s effort was ruled offside due to a preceding infringement by Lucas Bergvall. Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta then tested Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario with a shot that went wide.
As the match progressed, both sides exchanged half-chances, with Palace appearing to have the upper hand. However, it was Tottenham who struck first against the run of play. Following a blocked shot by Randal Kolo Muani that resulted in a corner, Pedro Porro‘s delivery was flicked on by Richarlison, allowing Gray to head home from close range.
The second half saw Palace intensify their attacking efforts in search of an equalizer. Stand-in captain Micky van de Ven thwarted an early volley from Yeremy Pino, and shortly after, another chance fell to Justin Devenny, who fired over the bar. Glasner made tactical changes, bringing on Eddie Nketiah to add fresh energy to the attack.
Despite Tottenham’s attempts to extend their lead, including a disallowed goal from Richarlison due to another offside call, Palace continued to press. Marc Guéhi had a close chance with a header that went over the bar, while substitute Wilson Odobert came agonizingly close, hitting the inside of the post with a long-range effort.
The match concluded with Spurs maintaining their lead, as Palace struggled to convert their opportunities into goals. Dean Henderson made a vital save from Rodrigo Bentancur, ensuring Tottenham walked away with all three points.
This result provides a much-needed boost for Tottenham as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures, particularly the challenging match against Brentford. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will need to regroup and address their current form as they look ahead to the January transfer window to bolster their squad.
