Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham match report, Spurs move 4 points off top five

Playing for one last time in 2025, Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways in the Premier League after back-to-back defeats, grinding out a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

With more than a week to prepare for this fixture, the performance was still far from convincing for long spells, but that will likely be overlooked by the fact that Spurs got away with three points against a Palace side that completed a league double over them last season.

Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons, both unavailable after their red cards against Liverpool, were replaced by Richarlison and Kevin Danso in the starting XI. Kota Takai also made his way into the Spurs matchday squad for the first time this season, although the Japanese youngster remained an unused substitute.

First half: Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur

After a couple of early warning signs from Palace, including one moment that required a timely intervention from Danso and earned him a booking, Tottenham briefly thought they had taken the lead. Pedro Porro’s cross from the right found Richarlison at the back post, and the Brazilian tapped in from close range, only for VAR to disallow it as Lucas Bergvall was judged to be offside in the build-up.

Following the let-off, Palace gradually began to grow into the game, with Jean-Philippe Mateta twice going close, first flashing a low effort narrowly wide of Vicario’s post before heading just over from close range. Adam Wharton, who was comfortably the best player on the pitch, then curled a tame effort straight at Guglielmo Vicario after intercepting a loose pass from Djed Spence.

Against the run of play, however, Spurs managed to take the lead just before the break. Porro’s corner caused chaos in the penalty area, and Richarlison flicked the ball on for Archie Gray to nod home from close range, scoring his first Premier League goal and giving Tottenham something to protect at half-time.

Second half: Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur

With Palace expectedly carrying more threat after the restart, they squandered their best chance to equalise when Justin Devenny failed to direct his close-range effort on target after being brilliantly set up by Yeremi Pino. Maxence Lacroix then went close with a header from another Wharton delivery, glancing just wide of the post.

At the other end, Spurs once again had the ball in the net, and once again VAR had other ideas. Mohammed Kudus delivered a low cross from the right that Richarlison slammed into the roof of the net, but the Brazilian was ruled marginally offside after a lengthy check.

Richarlison, who could easily have had a brace by this point, went close again soon after, meeting another Kudus delivery but shooting straight at Dean Henderson. Radu Dragusin then made his first appearance after almost a year out with an ACL injury, as Spurs shifted into a back five.

The change brought some sense of control, and substitutes began to make an impact. Wilson Odobert struck the post after some good link-up play with Richarlison, before later going close again when his low cross picked out Porro, whose cut-back was met by Rodrigo Bentancur. The Uruguayan’s first-time curling effort was destined for the corner until Henderson produced a brilliant one-handed stop to protect Palace’s goal difference.

FT: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Spurs Web man of the match: Archie Gray

What’s next for Spurs

There is not a huge amount to take away from the performance as a whole, but the cameos from Wilson Odobert and Joao Palhinha stood out, the latter in particular playing a big role in helping Spurs preserve their clean sheet.

With this result, Tottenham end 2025 on a high and, despite their ongoing struggles at home, they boast the best away record in the Premier League this season, collecting 17 points from nine matches with five wins, two draws and two defeats. That said, their home form remains a glaring concern and is one of the poorest in the division.

Next up for Spurs is a New Year’s Eve meeting with Brentford for the second time in less than a month, where they’ll hope to finally move to the top half of the Premier League table.

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