Archie Gray lifts Tottenham past Crystal Palace to ease pressure on Thomas Frank

Tottenham Hotspur eased the growing pressure on head coach Thomas Frank after edging out Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park, thanks to Archie Gray’s first goal for the club.

The victory brought an end to a turbulent 2025 for Spurs, who had slipped to 14th in the Premier League after losing five of their previous eight matches. While there was no internal suggestion Frank was facing immediate danger, a response was required — and it arrived in south London.

With Cristian Romero suspended, Kevin Danso stepped into defence and was quickly involved, collecting a yellow card inside five minutes as Palace started brightly.

Tottenham thought they had taken an early lead through Richarlison in the 17th minute, but celebrations were cut short when Lucas Bergvall was ruled offside in the build-up.

Palace carried the greater threat for much of the first half. Jean-Philippe Mateta dragged one effort wide and headed over from a clever set-piece routine, while Justin Devenny, Adam Wharton and Will Hughes all tested Spurs without truly troubling Guglielmo Vicario.

Against the run of play, Tottenham struck in the 42nd minute. Randal Kolo Muani’s shot earned a corner, Pedro Porro’s delivery was recycled by Kolo Muani and flicked on by Richarlison, allowing Archie Gray to head home from close range and open his Spurs account.

Oliver Glasner’s side emerged strongly after half-time. Stand-in captain Micky van de Ven made a crucial block from Yeremy Pino before Palace wasted an even better chance when Devenny fired over following a delightful outside-of-the-boot cross.

Glasner introduced Eddie Nketiah in search of an equaliser, and Palace continued to knock at the door. Jefferson Lerma teed up Maxence Lacroix with 20 minutes remaining, but the defender headed wide when well placed.

Tottenham briefly thought they had doubled their lead when Richarlison finished from a brilliant Mohammed Kudus cross, only for VAR to intervene once more and rule the Brazilian marginally offside.

Palace captain Marc Guéhi headed over late on as the hosts pushed for a leveller, but Spurs’ defensive resolve held. Substitute Wilson Odobert struck the inside of the post from distance, while Dean Henderson denied Rodrigo Bentancur in stoppage time to keep the scoreline tight.

The final whistle confirmed a vital win for Spurs — their first in four league matches — lifting them to 11th and to within four points of fifth-placed Chelsea ahead of Frank’s return to former club Brentford on Wednesday.

For Palace, it was a third consecutive league defeat and further evidence that January reinforcements may be required after an exhausting festive run.

Can this narrow victory be the turning point Tottenham need under Thomas Frank — or was it simply a timely escape?