Archie Gray's First Tottenham Goal Secures Narrow Win at Crystal Palace
Tottenham secured a 1-0 victory away at Crystal Palace, moving within one point of their hosts in the Premier League table. The decisive goal came just before half-time when 19-year-old Archie Gray, on his 60th appearance, headed home from a corner delivered to the back post, adding to the headers by Muani and Richarlison in the sequence.
Gray, who joined Leeds in 2024 before moving to Tottenham, became the youngest Englishman to score for the club in the Premier League since Dele Alli in January 2016. This marked an important milestone in a challenging match for Tottenham.
The Spurs faced a depleted squad, missing captain Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons through suspensions following red cards against Liverpool the previous week, as well as coping with a long injury list. Manager Frank was under pressure to turn the team's form around.
Early in the game, Kevin Danso of Crystal Palace was booked for a foul on Justin Devenny just outside the Tottenham box. Tottenham also saw two potential goals from Richarlison disallowed; one was flagged offside after checks by VAR and on-field officials.
Crystal Palace's set-piece proficiency was evident, with six of their nine December goals coming from such situations. Despite Tottenham's winner originating from a corner, Palace created several chances after half-time. Pino's cross nearly resulted in a goal with a Devenny shot that went over the bar, Lerma's cross allowed Lacroix a headed effort wide, Odobert struck the post, and Guéhi's header missed at the death.
This result ended Tottenham's poor run of five away fixtures without a win and highlighted Palace's vulnerability at home to set-piece threats.
