In a tightly contested London derby at Selhurst Park, Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace, providing much-needed relief for manager Thomas Frank. The win, hard-fought and determined, sees Spurs end 2025 on a positive note.

The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute when 19-year-old midfielder Archie Gray headed home his first senior goal. Pedro Porro's cross caused havoc in the Palace defense, with Gray capitalizing to guide the ball into the net. Despite Crystal Palace's efforts, they couldn't find an equalizer. Tottenham had two further goals from Richarlison ruled out for offside by VAR.

The victory is significant for Thomas Frank, who has been under pressure to deliver consistent results. After a rocky start to his Tottenham tenure, which included a recent loss to Liverpool and sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, this win offers a welcome boost. Frank has alluded to slow starts at previous clubs and expressed confidence in his ability to build a competitive team at Tottenham.

Crystal Palace put up a strong fight, but ultimately Tottenham's resilience and Gray's goal proved to be the difference. Palace had moments of promise, with Jean-Philippe Mateta posing a threat. However, they lacked the cutting edge to break through Tottenham's defense.

Following this result, Tottenham Hotspur currently sit 11th in the Premier League table. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, find themselves in 9th position.

The match also featured noteworthy moments such as Richarlison's disallowed goals and a solid performance from Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who cleared the ball up-field and denied Crystal Palace on multiple occasions. Tottenham's Wilson Odobert hit the post, nearly extending their lead.