Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace: Premier League – as it happened

Submitted by daniel on Sat, 31/10/2026 - 17:30

Key events

Match report

Here’s Ed Aarons’ verdict from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The latest Premier League golden boot standings are here; Van Hecke’s second goal of the season means he is now Tottenham’s top scorer this season.

Some post-match thoughts from Jan Paul van Hecke: “We created a lot of chances, the red card helped us … we had to be patient because we know they play a low block. We took a while to score the second, could have scored more, but we’re happy.”

A well-timed Uber Eats ad there, featuring Tony Pulis, Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew. The ghosts of Palace past!

Updated at 20.30 CET

“I think it was José Mourinho who pooh-poohed the old saw about not looking at the table until 10 games are done; points are points after all,” writes Gary Naylor. “So many clubs seem to be inconsistent or actually imploding before our very eyes. All that manager churn can’t help – coaches need stability to build confidence.”

Here’s the Premier League table:

Full time! Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace

Save for one nervy moment when Dwight McNeil got a sight of goal, this was very comfortable for Spurs, who took a firm grip of the game after Mateta’s red card. There will be tougher tests ahead, but Tottenham look like a cohesive team again. Palace, on the other hand, look to be in trouble.

Updated at 20.21 CET

Updated at 20.37 CET

Updated at 20.31 CET

Updated at 20.15 CET

Updated at 20.32 CET

The centre-back has been playing almost as an auxiliary forward in the second half, and he does a decent Harry Kane impression here, stretching to beat two Palace defenders with a header. Henderson saves, it hits the underside of the bar, then bounces in off Van Hecke’s bonce as he falls to the floor.

GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace (Van Hecke 73')

Spurs finally have their second goal, thanks to Jan Paul van Hecke, who bundles home Fernandes’ superb cross at the far post. Game over now, surely.

Updated at 20.34 CET

Updated at 20.05 CET

Updated at 19.53 CET

Updated at 19.52 CET

Second half

A half-time change for Spurs, with Pedro Porro replacing the goalscorer, Archie Gray. Not sure if that’s injury-related – Gray was excellent in the first half.

“Re: Mateta. If a player decides to slide in, uncontrolled from behind, with their studs up … c’mon, we’ve all got work in the morning,” writes David Penney.

Half time: Tottenham 1-0 Crystal Palace

Spurs end the first half a goal and a man up thanks to Archie Gray’s header, after Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off following a VAR review. The hosts have dominated, but need another goal or two to avoid any second-half nerves.

Link

Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace: Premier League – as it happened - The Guardian

The Guardian