Archie Gray's Header Gives Spurs Vital Win at Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur managed to secure a much-needed victory at Selhurst Park, overcoming Crystal Palace 1-0 in a tight Premier League contest. The win, which came on December 28, 2025, was particularly significant as it eased some of the mounting pressure on manager Thomas Frank, who had been under scrutiny due to a run of poor form. For 19-year-old midfielder Archie Gray, it was a dream moment, as his first-ever Tottenham goal came on his 60th appearance for the club.
The match began with high stakes for both teams. Spurs had been struggling away from home, failing to win in their last five matches, while Crystal Palace had seen their early-season form dip, making it a must-win for both sides. Despite missing key players like Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons, Tottenham started strong. However, it was Gray’s scrappy header in the 45th minute that broke the deadlock and sent Spurs into the break with the lead.
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Palace had their chances but failed to capitalize on them. They came closest when Jean-Philippe Mateta's effort in the first half narrowly missed the target. Maxence Lacroix also had a chance to equalize, but his header went wide after a fine cross from Adam Wharton. Meanwhile, Spurs made the most of set-piece opportunities, something that has been a significant weakness for Palace this season. Gray’s goal, coming from a corner, was the latest in a series of set-piece goals conceded by the home side, with Palace now having allowed 12 goals from set-pieces in the current campaign.
The second half saw Palace pressing for an equalizer, but Tottenham’s defense, bolstered by the leadership of Kevin Danso in place of the suspended Romero, held firm. Palace had a golden opportunity when Yéremy Pino’s cross found Justin Devenny in space, but the midfielder's shot was blasted over the bar. Despite a few nervy moments, Spurs managed to weather the storm. Richarlison thought he had sealed the win with a second goal, but VAR intervened, ruling it out for offside.
In the closing stages, Palace continued to press, and substitute Wilson Odobert hit the post in a counter-attack. But it wasn’t to be for the hosts, as they failed to find the breakthrough. Tottenham held on for the win, which lifted them to within a point of Palace in the table.
It was a bittersweet result for Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who lamented his team’s lack of finishing quality despite creating numerous chances. “We can’t always rely on the bench,” he said after the match. “We had chances to win but lacked the final product.” With a packed schedule ahead, Glasner will be hoping for reinforcements in January to help lift his team out of their slump. For Spurs, this victory could be the turning point they need, especially with Gray's performance, which left both his manager and the fans delighted.
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