Tottenham Hotspur claimed a third consecutive Premier League victory on Saturday, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to lift Roberto De Zerbi's side to eighth in the table — while Pierre Sage's Eagles slipped into the relegation zone.

The contest was shaped in its early minutes when Jean-Philippe Mateta received a red card in the 13th minute for a dangerous studs-up challenge on Micky van de Ven's Achilles. Referee Michael Oliver initially issued a yellow, but VAR prompted a review and Oliver upgraded his decision to a straight red for serious foul play.

Gray breaks the deadlock

With Palace reduced to ten men, Tottenham took the lead just 12 minutes later. Archie Gray rose to meet a corner with a well-directed header, giving Spurs the advantage they needed to control the rest of the half.

Palace, fighting for their manager and for their Premier League survival, showed determination and made life difficult for Spurs, who struggled to put the game beyond doubt before the interval.

Van Hecke seals it

Jan Paul van Hecke ended the uncertainty in the 73rd minute, bundling home a rebound to make it 2-0 and finally settle the contest. The goal brought relief to the home faithful, who had not seen Spurs win back-to-back home league games since November 2024.

Late in the game, teenager Luca Williams-Barnett made his Premier League debut and came agonisingly close to an assist, producing an excellent cutback for Mohammed Kudus — who somehow missed from close range.

Relegation worries grow for Sage

The defeat leaves Crystal Palace third-bottom after three successive league losses, and the consequences extend well beyond the result itself. Mateta's suspension means the striker will miss Palace's next three Premier League fixtures — against Liverpool, Coventry, and Hull — a run that could prove decisive for Sage's future.

Sage has faced mounting scrutiny since a 5-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, and although the players have shown commitment — both at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and in cup matches against Besiktas and Fulham — results have not followed. Injuries to Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz in the summer have been cited as mitigating factors, and Palace's travelling support has chanted Sage's name at successive away games, but a home fixture against Liverpool next Sunday will test the squad severely.

Steve Parish and Crystal Palace's decision-makers face a defining week, with Sage's position under intense pressure and the club staring at a genuine relegation battle.