Archie Gray scored his first Tottenham goal in his 60th appearance, a scrappy header just before half-time, to secure a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace that eased pressure on manager Thomas Frank. The win ended a run of one victory in eight Premier League matches and lifted Spurs to within one point of Palace in the table.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined from Leeds in 2024, left the pitch to a standing ovation and a hug from Frank. He became the youngest Englishman to score for Tottenham in the Premier League since Dele Alli at the same ground in January 2016. “I think Archie is growing,” Frank said. “He made a mistake against Nottingham Forest and played well against Liverpool. He is growing as a young man. I loved that goal, because he was alert.”
Two Richarlison strikes were disallowed for offside, while Palace created chances through Jean-Philippe Mateta, Justin Devenny, and Maxence Lacroix but failed to convert. Of Palace's 20 league goals conceded this season, 12 have come from set pieces, and they have now gone five matches without a win in their 30th fixture of the campaign.
Tottenham were without captain Cristian Romero and playmaker Xavi Simons due to red cards against Liverpool, plus a long injury list. Kevin Danso, Romero's replacement, avoided an early red card after tripping Devenny just outside the area, with referee Jarred Gillett showing a yellow because Pedro Porro was deemed to be covering.
Palace's set-piece vulnerability was exposed when Gray headed home from a corner whipped to the back post, with Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison, and Gray all winning headers inside the six-yard box. Frank celebrated wildly on the touchline. Devenny missed a close-range chance early in the second half, and Lacroix headed wide as Palace pushed for an equaliser, but Spurs held on for their first away win since early November.
