For Spurs supporters, three successive league wins feel like a proper lift after a long stretch when momentum was hard to find. Palace’s early dismissal made this a very different contest, but Tottenham still had to turn that advantage into goals and a clean sheet. Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke did the job, and the 2-0 win gives De Zerbi’s side a run worth enjoying.

The match

The key moment arrived in the 13th minute. Jean-Philippe Mateta lunged at Micky van de Ven; referee Michael Oliver initially showed a yellow card, then upgraded it to red after a VAR review. The Guardian’s match report and BBC Sport’s account both identify the dismissal as the turning point. Palace had most of the afternoon to cope with ten men, and for a while they did so stubbornly.

Gray opened the scoring before the break, left unmarked at the back post to head in from a deep Mohammed Kudus corner. Spurs had to wait until 17 minutes from full time to add the second. Mateus Fernandes picked out Van Hecke, whose first header was pushed on to the bar by Dean Henderson; still on the ground, the Dutch defender nodded the rebound over the line. The Guardian’s live report also confirms the 2-0 result and the goalscorers.

How Spurs performed

Tottenham dominated the ball and repeatedly got into attacking areas, but the scoreline could have been more emphatic. BBC Sport recorded 34 Spurs shots to Palace’s two, with 79.4% possession. Those are striking figures, though the early red card matters when judging them: Palace spent nearly the whole match a player down. Spurs created plenty, as De Zerbi acknowledged, but the finishing was not always as sharp as the volume of attacks promised.

There were good signs in midfield. The Guardian praised Sandro Tonali’s running, physicality and creativity, while BBC Sport also noted his growing influence. Fernandes was lively, looking for the pass that could unlock Palace, and had a direct role in setting up Van Hecke’s clincher. This was an afternoon when Spurs’ midfield had room to dictate, but the energy and ambition of the two summer arrivals were still welcome.

Gray deserved his goal and Dejan Kulusevski offered a lively threat after coming off the bench, forcing Henderson into a fine save. At the back, Spurs kept a clean sheet, but there is no need to overstate what it proves: Palace’s attack was restricted and they managed only two shots. The shut-out is welcome; the broader defensive questions will need testing in more even circumstances.

De Zerbi's reaction

De Zerbi told BBC Sport he was pleased with the passion and concentration his players showed, particularly their reaction when they lost possession. He said Spurs had created many chances, but wanted them to be “more nasty” in the final third and better at finishing. That was a measured verdict: satisfaction with the win and the team’s attitude, alongside a clear reminder that dominance should bring more goals.

What the media made of it

The Guardian and BBC both put the result in the context of a long-awaited run of three league victories. The Guardian noted it was Spurs’ first such sequence in 616 days, while BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty described the wait as almost 21 months. Their coverage also recognised a shift in mood around the team, without pretending that one win settles every question about consistency. The numbers show how thoroughly Spurs controlled this match; the red card is essential context, and De Zerbi’s own finishing critique is a useful counterweight to the celebrations.

Looking ahead

Tottenham’s next confirmed fixture in the supplied schedule is Leeds away. The Opta Analyst preview published by the Guardian lists Leeds as Spurs’ next opponent after the Palace match. No date is needed to make the next task clear: take this renewed confidence on the road and show the same focus against an opponent who will not be playing with ten men for most of the afternoon.

Legion's View

We’ll gladly take the points, the clean sheet and the lift that comes with a third league win in a row. Mateta’s dismissal changed the game, so there is no need to dress this up as an even contest. But Spurs still had to use the advantage, keep Palace under pressure and find the second goal before the afternoon became nervy. Gray supplied the opener, Tonali and Fernandes brought purpose in midfield, and Van Hecke’s clever finish settled it. Enjoy the run, then make it count at Leeds. Come On You Spurs! 🤍💙