PREMIER LEAGUE
THURSDAY 5TH MARCH, 2026
(8 PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) CRYSTAL PALACE 3(3)

Spurs scorer:-
Solanke, 34

Palace scorers:-
Sarr 40(pen), 45+7
Strand Larsen, 45+1

Attendance:- 60,213

Referee:- Andy Madley
Assistants:- Craig Taylor, Mark Scholes
Fourth official:- Ruebyn Ricardo
VAR:- Nick Hopton
Assistant VAR:- Lee Betts

Teams:-
Spurs (3-4-2-1):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 7. Xavi, 74), 4. Danso, 37. Van de Ven (Capt.); 14. Gray, 6. Palhinha, 29. Pape Sarr, 38. Souza (sub 22. Gallagher, 43); 39. Kolo Muani (sub 8. Bissouma, 43), 11. Tel; 19. Solanke (sub 9. Richarlison, 74)
(Armband to Pedro Porro, then Vicario)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky, 40. Austin; 76. Rowswell; 52. Olusesi, 57. Kyerematen

Booked:- Souza (foul on Munoz), Sarr (dissent), Bissouma (dissent)

Sent off:- Van de Ven, 38 (foul on Ismaila Sarr, conceding penalty and prevented goal-scoring opportunity)

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1):- 1. Henderson (Capt.); 23. Canvot, 26. Richards, 34. Riad; 2. Munoz (sub 17. Clyne, 14), 20. Wharton (sub 19. Hughes, 81), 18. Kamada, 3. Mitchell; 7. Ismaila Sarr, 29. Guessand (sub 11. Johnson, 67); 22. Strand Larsen (sub 12. Uche, 81)

Subs not used:- 44. Benitez; 24. Sosa; 8. Lerma, 55. Devenny; 10. Yeremy Pino

Booked:- Strand Larsen (foul on Van de Ven), Clyne (foul on Xavi)

The relegation abyss opens

Spurs began this game a mere one point ahead of both Nottingham Forest and West Ham. At their eleventh attempt in 2026, Spurs sought a precious first win of the year against the last Premier League team they beat - Crystal Palace. After surviving a VAR reprieve over a marginally offside "goal" by Ismaila Sarr, Dominic Solanke actually gave Spurs the lead in a "must win" game.

The red mist descended upon the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (still no sponsor after seven years) when captain Micky van de Ven hauled back Sarr, conceding not only a penalty, but seeing a red card for preventing the goal-scoring opportunity. Sarr did not fail from the spot and Palace scored three goals in seven minutes, including two in the allocated eight minutes of added time.

Hearts and minds had surrendered on and off the pitch, as many fans evacuated the stadium, which was already at less than its full capacity. The relegation abyss has truly opened, and while Spurs remain in 16th place, their next league fixture is at Anfield where we have only ever won two Premier League games, and not for 15 years. We've lost our last four games there too, including a 4-0 League Cup semi-final defeat last year.

I'll be honest, I was resigned to us being relegated before this game, and I certainly was afterwards, as were virtually all the fans I spoke to as we left the stadium.

I am old enough to have seen our relegation 49 years ago and suffered two preceding seasons when we came close to the drop. That seventies side showed more fight than this group, although the ten men did play with spirit in the second half, giving Henderson a couple of testing moments.

Radu Dragusin returned to the long list of Spurs absentees. I don't know the reason yet, but assume he was injured. Igor Tudor matched Palace's 3-4-2-1 formation with Pedro Porro beside Danso and his captain. Archie Gray was once again our best player and assisted Solanke's goal. Xavi and Conor Gallagher began the game on the threadbare bench.

Palace kicked off and played towards the South stand. After only 48 seconds, Vicario was tested by Wharton's deflected shot following a throw on the right. Palace dominated the early possession, but Danso took a long throw after five minutes, following which Pape Sarr's shot was close.

Souza had been given his first start but saw an early yellow card when he clattered his opposing wing-back Munoz, who needed treatment and didn't last much longer.

There was danger in our area after a Wharton free kick when Sarr flicked the ball goalward. Vicario held the ball. Archie Gray won a corner on the right, taken short by Souza, The move ended with a good driven shot by Tel, but Henderson saved.

Palace won a couple of corners which we defended after which Van de Ven raced forward, only to be halted cynically by Strand Larsen, who was booked.

Ismaila Sarr's disallowed goal followed a cross from the right by another recent Palace signing Guessand. Sarr looked offside to me before his deflected shot hit the net, but VAR took its time to disallow the goal, with the offside being marginal. After the game, Oliver Glasner told Sarr his "nose was too long!"

Spurs soon took advantage when Archie Gray's skill and determination took him to the bye-line on the right inside the box. He cut the ball back and Solanke scored his fifth goal (in all competitions) since his January return.

The welcome lead did not last long after Van de Ven's reckless moment. Sarr shuffled on his run-up and casually sent Vicario the wrong way. Tudor sacrificed Souza and Kolo Muani, inserting Gallagher and Bissouma. Tel took over as left wing-back.

England World Cup hopeful Adam Wharton had two assists in added time as first he fed Strand Larsen for a goal that was all to easy to score, and so poorly defended. Ismaila Sarr scored Palace's third goal from the centre of the area against an all too fragile defence. Many Spurs fans had had enough and left in droves.

Gallagher won an early second half corner on the right, taken by Tel and headed powerfully towards goal by Danso, but saved by Henderson, who probably will be travelling to North America in the summer.

Henderson tipped behind another Tel corner and another Tel header was blocked. Archie Gray also had a shot blocked in this early promising spell by the ten men. Gray later got into the penalty box with more determination and was shoulder-barged with no penalty.

Whilst Spurs were now spending more time in the Palace half, they defended well and had confidence in their two-goal lead. Strand Larsen caused Spurs more problems and Kevin Danso made a good block from one of Palace's efforts.

Brennan Johnson replaced Guessand and was warmly applauded by Spurs fans. The Palace crowd chanted, "He left cos you're..."

Solanke forced another save from Henderson after good work by Tel on the left. Dom was soon replaced by Richarlison and Xavi came on for Pedro Porro, who didn't look happy. Archie Gray joined the makeshift back three.

There was a delay because once again the officials had a comms issue and now it was too late for Spurs to get back into the game. Bissouma was booked for dissent. Our best chance came late when Tel glanced just wide from a Xavi free kick.

"Firefighter" Tudor has now lost his three first games and there is already some speculation about his future, but who is left for Spurs to turn to? He said after the game, "...I believe more than I did before. I know that sounds strange, but I saw something in the team."

Spurs have conceded two or more goals in their last 9 league games, seven of which have been lost, including the last five games. Tuesday's trip to the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano is unlikely to lift our moods.

. Declan Mulcahy writes his third article in the series "A dozen definitive days"

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