In this edition, we look back at a very recent clash between the two clubs. Considering Palace have only won twice away to Tottenham in the Premier League, the options were relatively limited.
However, this particular 3-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium proved pivotal last season. Oliver Glasner’s side were able to dispel any lingering relegation fears by defeating their North London hosts, while simultaneously giving Igor Tudor’s Tottenham side nightmares about the possibility of being relegated to the Championship.
The three points earned here allowed Palace to relax regarding their top-flight status, enabling the squad to focus on their Conference League campaign and ultimately go all the way in the competition, culminating in glory in Leipzig. Following a difficult run of form in early 2026, it was essential that Palace built momentum ahead of the double-header against AEK Larnaca, which was due to take place a week later.
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Gray, Palhinha, Sarr, Souza, Kolo Muani, Tel, Solanke
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Canvot, Richards, Riad, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Guessand, Strand Larsen
Tottenham Hotspur Substitutes: Austin, Kinsky, Kyerematen, Rowswell, Bissouma, Gallagher, Olusesi, Simons, Richarlison
Crystal Palace Substitutes: Benitez, Clyne, Sosa, Lerma, Hughes, Devenny, Johnson, Pino, Uche
Tottenham’s fears of suffering a first relegation since 1977 were heightened by this humiliating defeat at the hands of Glasner’s red-and-blue army. Three goals in a devastating 12-minute spell before half-time, following a red card for Micky van de Ven, ensured Palace returned to South London with three vitally important points.
Palace had won at this ground the previous season courtesy of two Eberechi Eze goals either side of half-time, shortly before the FA Cup Final against Manchester City. On this occasion, however, the Eagles arrived as underdogs. Not necessarily because they were a weaker side than Tottenham, but because the prevailing view was that Spurs would eventually pull away from trouble. Surely a squad of this quality was too good to go down.
The visitors, however, had other ideas.
The victory lifted Palace into 13th place and, while that may not sound particularly glamorous, it provided the stability required to navigate the remainder of the season without looking over their shoulders. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s winless run stretched to 11 matches, increasing the pressure on interim manager Igor Tudor.
The match began with Palace on the front foot. New loan signing Evann Guessand found Ismaila Sarr inside the penalty area, and the African duo combined superbly. Sarr’s left-footed effort took a deflection off Pedro Porro before looping over the helpless Guglielmo Vicario. Palace thought they had raced into a 1-0 lead, just as they had the previous weekend away at Manchester United when Maxence Lacroix scored from a corner.
However, referee Andy Madley consulted VAR and the goal was disallowed for offside against the Palace top scorer from the 2025/26 campaign.
That decision appeared to galvanise Tottenham. On 34 minutes, Archie Gray escaped the attention of Chris Richards and Adam Wharton down the far side before cutting the ball back to Dominic Solanke, who converted from close range.
Palace fans behind the goal felt the ball had gone out of play in the build-up, but replays confirmed the goal should stand. The Eagles found themselves behind, with nerves beginning to jangle as the relegation battle loomed once more in the background.
Momentum was with Tottenham, but that was all about to change.
Guessand was again at the heart of Palace’s attacking play as his forward pass was flicked on by £50 million signing Jorgen Strand Larsen. The ball spun into the path of the onrushing Sarr, who was hauled down by Van de Ven just as he prepared to shoot.
A penalty was awarded and, more damagingly for Spurs, so was a red card for their Dutch defender.
It was a difficult decision to argue against and Tottenham’s protests fell on deaf ears. Sarr took responsibility from the spot, stepping up against Vicario. After a measured run-up, he calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner before wheeling away in celebration alongside Strand Larsen.
From that moment, the game’s trajectory shifted dramatically in Palace’s favour.
The introduction of Conor Gallagher at half-time may have sparked concerns among Palace fans that the former loanee would once again haunt his old club, as he had so often done while playing for Chelsea.
Instead, it was Palace who struck next.
Pape Matar Sarr was dispossessed by Guessand, who was continuing to impress after scoring the winner in Palace’s previous league outing against Wolves. The forward fed Wharton, whose perfectly weighted pass released Strand Larsen. The Norwegian kept his composure and fired through the legs of Vicario.
It was his first away goal for Palace and a move that perfectly encapsulated many of Glasner’s principles: win the ball back, lure the opposition into a trap, and then strike with pace and precision on the counter-attack.
The goal was met with a cacophony of boos from the home support. Tottenham looked rattled, while Palace were ruthlessly punishing every mistake.
The pressure did not ease before the interval and, remarkably, Palace added a third. Wharton claimed his second assist of the evening after excellent work from Jaydee Canvot, who produced one of his finest performances in a Palace shirt.
His driving run and incisive pass into Wharton highlighted why the young defender was increasingly trusted to fill the void left by Marc Guehi. Wharton then received the ball on the half-turn before delivering a superb lofted pass into the path of Sarr.
Porro appeared favourite to shepherd the ball back to his goalkeeper, but Sarr had other ideas. The Senegalese forward nipped in at the crucial moment and poked the ball beyond Vicario to score his second of the night.
Delirium erupted in the away end.
With Tottenham reduced to ten men and Palace firmly in control, there was little sense that a comeback was on the cards. The boos grew louder, and frustration around the stadium became increasingly apparent.
The second half offered little in the way of major incidents as Palace delivered a mature, composed and professional performance. The Eagles controlled proceedings comfortably and never looked in danger of surrendering their advantage.
Football moves quickly. Just two weeks earlier, sections of the Selhurst Park support had labelled Glasner “finished” after his explosive post-match criticism of the club’s hierarchy following a defeat at Sunderland.
This victory helped erase memories of a difficult nine-match winless run and may well have provided the belief that ultimately carried Palace to continental glory later that season.
Attention now turns to this Saturday’s encounter, where Palace will be aiming to make it three consecutive victories at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Key figures from those previous successes, such as Glasner and Eberechi Eze, have since departed. However, Pierre Sage’s side now has the opportunity to create its own story in North London.
After all, this fixture proved to be a turning point last season. Palace supporters will be hoping history can repeat itself once again.
