Crystal Palace secured their first League win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham
Crystal Palace secured their first Premier League win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to a goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta. The win not only lifted Palace out of the relegation zone, placing them 17th with six points, but also provided a much-needed boost for manager Oliver Glasner, who had been under pressure to deliver results. Spurs, on the other hand, remain in eighth position with 13 points.
The match began with Palace showing intensity and determination, putting Spurs under pressure with a high press that ultimately led to the game's only goal. Tottenham's attempt to play out from the back went awry when defender Micky van de Ven slipped, allowing Palace’s Daniel Munoz to intercept. Munoz quickly crossed the ball into the box, where Eberechi Eze cleverly flicked it to an unmarked Mateta, who made no mistake in finishing. Mateta expressed his joy post-match, emphasizing the importance of the first win and commending Eze’s contribution, stating, “If he (Eze) plays well, we win.”
Without their injured captain, Son Heung-min, Spurs struggled to create any significant attacking threat. Young winger Mikey Moore, who had impressed in the Europa League just days earlier, couldn’t replicate his form, and Spurs’ offense looked uninspired.
Palace maintained their momentum in the second half and nearly doubled their lead. Eze thought he’d scored another, only for it to be ruled offside by a narrow margin. Moments later, he went down in the box appealing for a penalty, which was denied. Despite these missed opportunities, Palace kept the pressure on, forcing Spurs’ goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, to make several crucial saves to keep Tottenham in the game.
In a bid to shake things up, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou introduced Richarlison, Pape Sarr, and Timo Werner. However, Palace’s resilient defense held strong, nullifying Tottenham’s attempts at a comeback. Postecoglou admitted his side struggled, saying, “There was a lot of disruption… it turned into a game they were thriving on, and we should have dealt with it better. It was a poor goal to concede.”
The home crowd at Selhurst Park grew anxious when the referee added seven minutes of stoppage time, but relief and joy erupted when the final whistle blew. For Palace, this win broke a winless streak dating back to May and may serve as a turning point in their season, while Spurs face questions about their performance and lack of fluency in the absence of key players.
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