Archie Gray's first senior goal proved decisive as Tottenham Hotspur secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday, easing the pressure on manager Thomas Frank. The 19-year-old midfielder's close-range header shortly before half-time ensured that Spurs ended 2025 on a high note, clinching only their second win in the last nine Premier League games.
The victory lifts Tottenham to 11th in the league table, just a point behind Crystal Palace, who sit in ninth. Despite Palace dominating for much of the match, Tottenham displayed resilience and determination to grind out a vital result.
The game started with Crystal Palace on the front foot, creating several early chances. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Justin Devenny both tested the Tottenham defense, but were unable to find the breakthrough. Tottenham, however, thought they had taken the lead in the 17th minute when Richarlison slotted the ball past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR check. Lucas Bergvall was deemed to be offside in the build-up.
As the first half progressed, Crystal Palace continued to press, but Tottenham remained resolute. Against the run of play, Spurs took the lead in the 42nd minute. A corner from Pedro Porro was poorly defended, allowing Archie Gray to flick a header into the net from close range. The goal marked Gray's first senior goal in his 112th career appearance and his 60th for Tottenham.
In the second half, Crystal Palace came out strongly, searching for an equalizer. Justin Devenny and Maxence Lacroix both missed opportunities to level the score, as Palace struggled to convert their chances. Tottenham also had a goal disallowed in the second half, with Richarlison again finding the net, only to be ruled offside after a VAR review.
Late in the game, Tottenham had chances to extend their lead, with Wilson Odobert hitting the post and Rodrigo Bentancur forcing a save from Henderson. However, Gray's first-half header proved to be enough, as Tottenham secured a crucial victory.
Speaking after the match, Thomas Frank acknowledged the team is in transition. Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou as head coach in June 2025, emphasized the need to rebuild the team. He pointed to the absence of key players such as Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski as factors contributing to the team's inconsistency.
Despite the challenges, Frank expressed confidence in his ability to turn things around. He highlighted his past successes at Brøndby and Brentford, where he overcame difficult starts to build competitive teams. Frank insisted that he is the right man to lead Tottenham forward and is convinced that his methods will deliver results. The Spurs manager also said that the coaching staff, performance staff, and medical staff have been working well together.
The win against Crystal Palace provides a much-needed boost for Tottenham and eases the pressure on Thomas Frank. The team will look to build on this result as they head into the new year.
