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Football
Crystal Palace
vs Tottenham Hotspur. Premier League.
4: 30pm, Sunday 28th December 2025.
Selhurst Park Attendance: Attendance25, 186.
Report and free match highlights as Spurs win for only the second time in nine games thanks to a first-half header from Archie Gray; Richarlison also had two goals disallowed for offside; Crystal Palace's winless run is extended to five games in all competitions
Football Features Writer
@nicholaspwright
Sunday 28 December 2025 19: 54, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Archie Gray's first senior goal secured a battling 1-0 win for Tottenham against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Gray, making his 112th career appearance, headed in from close range following a corner shortly before half-time, his goal clinching only a second win in nine Premier League games for Spurs and leaving Palace to rue their missed chances. Oliver Glasner's side dominated much of the encounter but could not make their pressure count, with Jean-Philippe Mateta heading over from their best chance of the first half, before Justin Devenny and Maxence Lacroix spurned big opportunities after the break. Crystal Palace: Henderson (6), Clyne (6), Lerma (6), Lacroix (6), Guehi (7), Mitchell (6), Hughes (6), Wharton (7), Devenny (6), Pino (6), Mateta (6).
Subs: Nketiah (6), Uche (6), Esse (n/a).
Spurs: Vicario (7), Porro (7), Danso (7), Van de Ven (8), Spence (7), Bentancur (7), Bergvall (6), Gray (8), Kudus (7), Richarlison (7), Kolo Muani (6).
Subs: Odobert (7), Palhinha (6), Dragusin (n/a), Johnson (n/a).
Player of the Match: Archie Gray
Gray's goal came against the run of play but Spurs had the ball in the net on two other occasions, with Richarlison, in for the suspended Xavi Simons, twice denied after VAR checks for offside. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Palace, who added defender Chris Richards to a lengthy absentee list due to injury, ran out of steam in the closing stages as they continue to struggle with their hectic schedule. They are now without a win in five games in all competitions. Spurs came close to extending their lead on several occasions late on, with substitute Wilson Odobert hitting the post and Rodrigo Bentancur forcing a save from Dean Henderson. In the end, though, Gray's maiden goal, nodded into the net from Richarlison's flick, proved sufficient for a much-needed win to ease the pressure on head coach Thomas Frank and lift Spurs up to 11th, only a point behind Palace in ninth.
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Spurs boss Thomas Frank said in his press conference: "I really liked the desire, the details mentality, the character and resilience of the team. "It's so important we have that in the team because in a long Premier League season you need to go to very difficult away grounds and fight, get a clean sheet, and win 1-0. "It was a massive win in many ways. "Was it a top performance? No. Are there things we can improve? Yes. But to win here is a huge mentality effort from the players. " Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner to Sky Sports: "It feels very frustrating and disappointing. It felt like a game that you can never lose but we lost. "It's a little bit the story of this year. We're constantly underperforming the chances we create and how many goals we score. We have to agree that we're now struggling scoring goals. "When we are scoring it's often from set-plays with our defenders and our attackers. If we have chances, we're missing them. Then we get punished by a set-play. "I can't remember when we dominated Tottenham like we did today in many parts of the game but in the end, where the game is decided in the box, we're not good enough. At the moment, we have a little bit lack of finishing quality. " Tottenham's Archie Gray told Sky Sports on his goal: "When I turned around and I didn't see my team-mates celebrating with me I was a bit confused. Have I actually just scored? "But it's a good feeling. Definitely one that took too long. "I didn't have to do much. I was so close to the goal, I just needed to flick it on really. It was a good flick. "It's the best feeling. You work your whole life for that moment. Hopefully I can keep it going. "Everyone is saying they weren't expecting it to be a header. But that one came off my Dad's instincts. " Super 6 have made a millionaire already this season, but could you be the next big winner? Enter the next round for free.
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