Tottenham Hotspur endured their twentieth loss of the Premier League season as Crystal Palace claimed a deserved 2-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Eberechi Eze scored twice, exposing Spurs’ defensive frailties and highlighting the team’s lack of cohesion. With the Europa League final against Manchester United looming, manager Ange Postecoglou rotated his squad, giving fringe players a chance to impress.
Djed Spence: A Tough Afternoon at Left-Back
Djed Spence started at left-back in place of the injured Destiny Udogie. This match was a crucial audition for Spence, who aimed to prove his worth ahead of the Europa League final. However, Djed Spence struggled throughout the game, often caught out of position and unable to contain Palace’s attacks down his flank.
Spence’s defensive lapses contributed directly to both Palace goals. He was slow to react, leaving space for the opposition to exploit. His body language suggested a lack of confidence, possibly stemming from recent omissions from the starting lineup. Despite winning several duels and making tackles, he lost possession twelve times and failed to offer any attacking threat.
Defensive Woes: Danso and Davies Also Underwhelm
Tottenham’s defensive unit looked disjointed. Kevin Danso and Ben Davies, both recalled to the starting eleven, struggled with their positioning. Danso left gaps at the back while Davies was stretched, covering for both Danso and Djed Spence. Their inability to organize the defence allowed Palace to dominate, with Mateta and Eze finding space repeatedly.
Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky made some important saves but appeared nervous. He could not inspire confidence in his defenders, who looked uncertain under pressure.
Midfield Lacks Control: Gray and Sarr Overrun
Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr failed to establish control in midfield. Gray, playing out of his preferred position, was overrun by Palace’s energetic midfielders. Sarr, deployed in an advanced role, made little impact and struggled with his passing. Rodrigo Bentancur, captaining the side in the first half, was substituted at halftime as Postecoglou managed minutes ahead of the final.
Attack Offers Little Threat: Odobert and Tel Quiet
Wilson Odobert, starting on the wing, had a quiet game. He was barely involved in the first half and only showed slight improvement after the break. His switch to the No10 role brought little change, and he failed to create clear chances for the forwards.
Mathys Tel, the Bayern Munich loanee, received little service and could not influence the match. Dejan Kulusevski, operating centrally, suffered a knee injury early on, raising concerns ahead of the Europa League final.
Substitutes Fail to Impress
Ange Postecoglou introduced several substitutes, including Mikey Moore, Yves Bissouma, and Heung-min Son. None managed to shift the momentum. Moore struggled to make an impact, Bissouma was partly at fault for Palace’s second goal, and Son, returning from injury, looked off the pace.
Djed Spence and the Europa League Final Dilemma
Djed Spence’s performance against Crystal Palace raises questions about his readiness for the Europa League final. With Destiny Udogie still recovering, Postecoglou faces a tough decision at left-back. Spence’s defensive shortcomings and lack of confidence were evident, and his struggles may force the manager to look elsewhere if Udogie is fit.
The match against Palace was a missed opportunity for Djed Spence to cement his place in the starting lineup. His display will likely influence Postecoglou’s selection for the crucial final in Bilbao.