Tottenham Hotspur concluded their 2025 calendar year with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, Spurs bounced back from successive defeats to move within a single point of the Premier League’s top half.
While the visitors were far from dominant, a determined header from teenager Archie Gray proved the difference in a match where Crystal Palace struggled to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.
The contest was marked by a physical battle in South London, with Spurs seeing two potential goals from Richarlison chalked off by VAR for offside.
Despite the narrow scoreline, the North Londoners’ defensive resilience stood firm against a late Palace surge triggered by the introduction of Eddie Nketiah.
With no more fixtures remaining this year, Frank’s squad now turns their attention to a New Year’s Day clash against Brentford to open 2026.
Tottenham Player Ratings
GK – Guglielmo Vicario: 7
The Italian shot-stopper remained concentrated throughout the match, particularly during a busy first half. He produced several sharp saves to deny the Eagles, though he was never forced into anything truly spectacular. He commanded his area well to help preserve the clean sheet.
LB – Djed Spence: 7
Spence provided a dynamic presence on the left, often looking like the most dangerous outlet when carrying the ball forward. While he was occasionally guilty of losing possession or misplacing passes, his overall attacking intent caused significant problems for the Palace backline.
CB – Micky Van de Ven: 7
Engaged in a relentless physical duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Dutchman didn’t always win the individual battle but remained the anchor of the defense. His recovery pace and positioning were essential in ensuring Tottenham left South London with all three points.
CB – Kevin Danso: 6
After receiving an early booking for a foul on Justin Devenny, Danso had to play with caution. He struggled initially with the pace of the game and faced a difficult challenge when Eddie Nketiah entered the fray, but he eventually settled into the rhythm.
RB – Pedro Porro: 6
Porro had a difficult afternoon defensively, struggling to contain Tyrick Mitchell and the energetic Nketiah. However, he remained a threat on set pieces, delivering the dangerous corner that ultimately led to Archie Gray’s match-winning goal in the second half.
CM – Rodrigo Bentancur: 6
The Uruguayan appeared to struggle with fatigue as the game progressed, looking increasingly “leggy” against an athletic Palace midfield. He found it difficult to prevent the hosts from playing through the center, though he remained tidy enough when in possession.
CM – Archie Gray: 8
The 19-year-old was the heart of the Spurs performance. Despite an early yellow card for a tug on Adam Wharton, he showed incredible stamina and grit. He was rewarded for his persistence by being the most alert player in the box to head home the winner.
CM – Lucas Bergvall: 5
The young Swede showcased flashes of brilliance, including a delightful backheel to set up an attack. However, he was largely inconsistent, often drifting out of the match and nearly gifting Palace a goal through a lack of defensive awareness in the first half.
LW – Randal Kolo Muani: 5
A disappointing outing for the winger, who failed to exploit the perceived weaknesses in the Palace defense. He struggled to exert influence on the flank and his most notable contribution was a mistimed fall on the ball that halted play.
ST – Richarlison: 7
Leading the line with his trademark aggression, Richarlison was a constant nuisance for the defenders. He provided the crucial assist for Gray’s goal by outjumping Jefferson Lerma and was unfortunate to have a clinical finish of his own ruled out by VAR.
RW – Mohammed Kudus: 6
It was a quiet afternoon for the usually explosive forward. He struggled to find space or beat Maxence Lacroix, who seemed to have the winger’s number for most of the match, limiting Kudus to very few meaningful touches in the final third.