Archie Gray’s first senior goal gave Tottenham a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Gray, making his 112th career appearance, headed home from close range from a corner kick just before half-time, sealing Spurs’ only second win in nine Premier League games and leaving Palace bitter about their missed chances.
Oliver Glasner’s side dominated much of the match but were unable to apply pressure, with Jean-Philippe Mateta heading home from the best chance of the first half, but Justin Deveney and Maxence Lacroix converted big chances after the break.
Although Gray’s goal was ruled out of play, Spurs had two other goals scored by Richarlison in place of the suspended Xavi Simmons, but the goals were twice disallowed due to offside checks by VAR.
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Watch Archie Gray’s Spurs vs Crystal Palace goal
Palace, who placed defender Chris Richards on the long-term injured list, faltered in the final stages as they continued to struggle with a busy schedule. They are currently without a win in five official matches.
Spurs came close to extending their lead several times in the closing stages, with substitute Wilson Odbert hitting the post and Rodrigo Bentancur forcing a save from Dean Henderson.
But in the end, Gray’s first goal, which found the back of the net from Richarlison’s flick, proved to be enough for a much-needed win, relieving the pressure on head coach Thomas Frank and lifting Spurs into 11th place, just one point behind ninth-placed Palace.
Frank celebrates ‘big win’
“I really liked the team’s drive, detail mentality, character and resilience,” Spurs manager Thomas Frank said in a press conference.
“In a long Premier League season you have to go to away grounds, which are very difficult, fight, keep clean sheets and win 1-0, so it’s very important to bring that into the team.
“It was a big win in many ways.
“Was it our best performance? No. Is there anything we can improve on? Yes. But it will take a lot of mental effort from our players to win here.”
Glasner: The quality of the finish is lacking.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner told Sky Sports: “It’s a very frustrating and disappointing feeling. It felt like a game we should never have lost, but we lost.
“It’s a bit of a story this year. We’re consistently under-creating chances and under-scoring. I have to agree that we’re struggling to score goals right now.”
“When we score, it often comes from set-pieces between defenders and attackers. If we have chances, we miss them. Then we get punished for set-pieces.
“I don’t remember a time when we dominated Tottenham as much as we did today in many parts of the game, but in the box, where the game ultimately decides, we’re not good enough. We’re a bit lacking in decisiveness at the moment.”
Gray: Scoring a goal is a great feeling.
Tottenham’s Archie Gray told Sky Sports of his goal: “When I turned around I couldn’t see my teammates celebrating with me so I was a bit confused. Did I really just score?”
“But I feel good, it obviously took too long.
Gray puts Spurs in front at Selhurst Park
“I didn’t have to do much. I was so close to the goal that I really just had to flick it. It was a good flick.”
“It feels great. You work your whole life for that moment. I hope I can keep doing that.”
“Everyone says they didn’t expect it to be a header, but it was just my dad’s instinct.”
Gray Milestone Goals – Opta Statistics
At 19 years and 291 days old, Archie Gray became the youngest English player to score a Premier League goal for Tottenham. He also became the first player since Dele Alli in January 2016 to score against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, aged 19 years and 287 days. Crystal Palace suffered three consecutive defeats in the Premier League for the first time since October 2024. It is the first time since December that they have lost three league games in a row at Selhurst Park. 2023. Of the last nine goals Crystal Palace have conceded in all competitions, eight have come from set-piece situations (four corner kicks, two throws, one penalty kick and one direct free kick), including the last seven goals. Richarlison has been involved in 10 goals in 15 Premier League starts for Tottenham in 2025 (8 goals, 2 assists).
