The lowdown on Crystal Palace 1 Spurs 0 – Eagles claim first Premier League win of the season as two summer signings impress

Crystal Palace won their first Premier League outing of the 2024-25 season to lift pressure on manager Oliver Glasner.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his fifth goal of the season to secure all three points.

Here is Edmund Brack’s lowdown from Selhurst Park:

THE LINE-UPS

Palace: Henderson (GK), Munoz, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma [Hughes 21], Wharton [Kamada 88], Eze, Sarr [Nketiah 61], Mateta.

Subs: Turner (GK), Ward, Clyne, Kporha, Schlupp, Agbinone.

Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma [Bentancur 87], Kulusevski [Sarr 62], Maddison [Richarlison 62]; Johnson, Solanke, Moore [Werner 62].

Subs: Forster, Davies, Gray, Dragusin, Bergvall.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

The Eagles had the chance to take the lead in the 26th minute when Will Hughes clipped a cross into the box, but Maxence Lacriox’s header sailed over the crossbar.

Palace took the lead in the 31st minute when Eberechi Eze’s clever flick from a Daniel Munoz cross found Jean-Philippe Mateta and the striker smashed a left-footed effort beyond Vicario.

Spurs had their first shot on target in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when James Maddison forced a smart stop from Dean Henderson at close range.

Eze thought he doubled Palace’s lead at the start of the second half after he was found by Adam Wharton, but the Eagles attacker was ruled offside.

There was a 10-minute period in the second half where Palace should have doubled their lead.

Ismaila Sarr saw a shot saved by Vicario’s legs and minutes later Eze shot wide after the ball fell to him on the edge of the box.

Wharton went a fingertip away from extending Palace’s lead in the 82nd minute when his long-range drive from distance saw Vicario at full stretch to deny the England midfielder.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Glasner reverted back to his trusty 3-4-2-1 formation after playing 5-3-2 at Nottingham Forest on Monday night.

Sarr made just his second Premier League start since signing in the summer and played as one of the 10s alongside Eze and behind Mateta.

Ex-Watford winger Sarr caused problems for Tottenham’s high line and brought much-needed pace to the attacking unit.

Ange Postecoglou saw his side struggle to cope with Palace at the start of the second half and made a triple substitution in the 61st minute to get back into the game, with Timo Werner, Richarlison and Pape Sarr all coming on.

But despite the visitors having 76 per cent possession in the final 15 minutes of normal time, they were unable to trouble Palace’s clean sheet.

BEST MOMENT

The full-time whistle. The Eagles had waited over 800 Premier League minutes to see their first three points of the season.

The campaign has been far from straightforward, with questions raised about recruitment, formation, ambition and the manager.

Right from the off, the high-intensity press, incisive passing from Wharton and commanding defending from the backline was evident.

Palace could and should have added more. 

It was a performance which showed why there has been so much frustration with the start of the season – there is a base of a good side that can compete in the division.

STAR MAN

Lacroix. 

The French centre-back was flawless throughout the game. Switching to the central centre-back in a back three has seen the 24-year-old get better game after game. 

He suffocated Dominic Solanke and substitute Richarlison.

Lacroix is developing a better understanding with Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Guehi by every outing and looks like a shrewd acquisition on a five-year deal at £18million.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

Wharton’s surgery.

If Wharton can perform to that ability, maybe Palace were right to delay the decision on his potential groin surgery.

The England midfielder has struggled to influence games in the same capacity as he did in the second half of last season, but he was back to his best against Spurs.

Wharton completed three interceptions, won four tackles and only lost possession once.

With Jefferson Lerma coming off with a hamstring injury and Cheick Doucoure’s return delayed, Palace will hope Wharton can continue performing to that standard while they decide on his injury future.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“I always felt quite comfortable with my job.

“I was always very close with my sporting director and my chairman.

“I wasn’t really concerned about my job.

“All of our performances [this season] were okay.

“We missed a little bit of what we showed today.

“We showed this courage, intensity and we showed bravery with how we pressed them.

“This was what we were missing.

“All the credit to the players with how they have dealt with this [winless] run.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD