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Tottenham's next five fixtures compared to relegation rivals as Premier League fears deepen

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Tottenham's next five fixtures compared to relegation rivals as Premier League fears deepen - Football London
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Tottenham Hotspur are one point clear of the Premier League relegation places after defeat to Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur sit just one point clear of the relegation zone after Crystal Palace made it 11 games without a win.

Ismaila Sarr's double and a third goal in four games against the north London club for Jorgen Strand-Larsen inflicted fresh misery on Igor Tudor's side during the 3-1 defeat. Dominic Solanke had handed Spurs the lead in the first-half but a red card for captain Mickey van de Ven turned the game on its head for the strugglers.

Sarr got his first of the evening from the penalty spot following the Dutchman's dismissal for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Palace compounded the misery with two goals in eight minutes of stoppage time before the interval and it was enough to compound Spurs' misery.

Van de Ven will be in contention to play in Europe but he will miss next Sunday's trip to face Liverpool. But results during the midweek fixtures have heaped pressure on the Croatian's side as they teeter close to the bottom three.

A crucial point for Nottingham Forest against Manchester City kept them outside of the bottom four but a Crysencio Summerville winner at Fulham moved West Ham United level on points with Vitor Pereira's side - one point behind Spurs.

Tottenham supporters vented their anger by using their feet, leaving in their droves with Palace's win all-but wrapped up in the first 45 minutes of action.

Here's how Tottenham's fixtures compare to their rivals...

Tottenham next five Premier League fixtures

Liverpool (A) - March 15

Nottingham Forest (H) - March 22

Sunderland (A) - April 12

Brighton (H) - April 18

Wolves (A) - April 25

Leeds United next five Premier League fixtures

Crystal Palace (A) - March 15

Brentford (H) - March 21

Manchester United (A) - April 13

Wolves (H) - April 15

Bournemouth (A) - April 18

West Ham next five Premier League fixtures

Manchester City (H) - March 14

Aston Villa (A) - March 22

Wolves (H) - April 10

Crystal Palace (A) - April 20

Everton (H) - April 25

Igor Tudor's fiery response as he defends Tottenham flops after Crystal Palace humiliation

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Igor Tudor's fiery response as he defends Tottenham flops after Crystal Palace humiliation - Football London
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Igor Tudor insists he has belief in his players than ever, even after Tottenham's 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace left them just a point above the relegation zone. The loss extended Spurs' winless run to 11 league matches, and their problems deepened when Micky van de Ven was sent off, ruling him out of the next game against Liverpool.

Speaking to TNT Sports afterwards, the Croatian boss said: "After this game I believe in [them] more than before, maybe it sounds strange but this is it," he told TNT Sports. "I saw something in the team, I saw that there is something, even now in the dressing room after the game.

"When we will be complete and I choose the right guys, it will be good I believe. I saw something, some good energy, some wish to do, some passion.

"The fight, I saw it was there. Unfortunately the red card changed the game but there are still nine games to play. We need to stop the speak abut the pressure, this is not a topic to speak about. I will not speak anymore about pressure."

Despite taking the lead through Dominic Solanke, Spurs trailed 3-1 at the break. Ismaila Sarr scored twice and Jorgen Strand Larsen added another after Van de Ven was sent off.

The Dutchman was adjudged to have denied Sarr a goalscoring opportunity, pulling him down inside the penalty area. Van de Ven will now miss the Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on March 15.

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Reflecting on the team's situation, Solanke admitted the squad had held frank discussions about their current situation. "We've just had a big conversation," he said.

"We know the position we are in is definitely not where we want to be so we need to figure out how we are going to get out of it as soon as possible. We know there's been difficulties but we're not in a position to make any excuses anymore.

"We need to do the job on the pitch. It is easy to say we want to be better but we want to be better on the pitch. We need to fight and realise the position we are in.

"We know the club is not used to being in this position so we need to understand it and understand it's not going to be easy and we need to fight every single game, every single minute, to make sure we improve."

Spurs' season has been heavily disrupted by injuries, with Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence all currently sidelined.

Meanwhile, Spurs hero Peter Crouch also pointed out that those injuries have left the squad lacking quality.

"I don't think there is quality," he said. "The best players are out injured. Tottenham are bang in trouble.

"I look at Manchester United and they looked to Michael Carrick, he has managed to get a tune out of those players straight away. Tudor is a massive gamble.

"There are no players who have come through from the youth team, players who know the club. Archie Gray was the best player for Tottenham, and he's 19 years old.

"There's not enough leaders out there."

Spurs sit just one point above the relegation zone on 29 points. Nottingham Forest and West Ham are both on 28 points.

Attention now turns to regrouping and getting ready for next Tuesday's Champions League round‑of‑16 trip to Atletico Madrid.

Igor Tudor on Micky van de Ven red card and his future

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Tottenham press conference LIVE - Igor Tudor on Micky van de Ven red card and his future - Football London
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Igor Tudor is holding his press conference after Tottenham's 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday.

Ismaila Sarr thought he had given Palace the lead in the 29th minute, his shot deflecting up off Pedro Porro and over Guglielmo Vicario and into the net. After a long VAR check for offside, Sarr's face is adjudged to be offside.

Just five minutes later and Spurs looked to be up and running as Archie Gray got between two defenders and hit a low cross that Dominic Solanke thumped into the net form close range.

Just four minutes later and everything went horribly wrong. Captain for the night Van de Ven pulled back Sarr as he ran into the box, earning a red card and gifting Palace a penalty which Sarr rolled home.

Matters just kept getting worse in added time at the end of the half as first Jorgen Strand Larsen ran on to Adam Wharton's ball and poked the ball through Vicario's legs. Then Wharton again carved Spurs apart with a ball over the top that Sarr beat Vicario to and poked home.

Spurs had chances in the second half with 10 men as Solanke and Danso tested Henderson but they could not find a way back into the game.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to the Croatian after the game. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Angry Tottenham fans held back by stewards after aiming abuse at club chiefs and staff

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Angry Tottenham fans held back by stewards after aiming abuse at club chiefs and staff - Football London
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Furious Tottenham fans launched a revolt after ten-man Spurs were plunged closer to relegation.

Thousands of angry supporters left at half time after Spurs were humiliated by Crystal Palace while stand-in captain Micky van de Ven was also sent off.

Angry fans still in the stadium turned their fury on the club’s hierarchy as a number of fans had to be held back by stewards as they shouted abuse at the directors’ box and club analysts.

Spurs interim boss Igor Tudor also saw his team booed off after suffering his third straight defeat since taking charge and they are now just one point above the drop zone.

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Spurs had taken the lead through Dominic Solanke after Palace forward Ismaila Sarr had a goal ruled out through offside.

But the lead lasted all of six minutes as Sarr converted from the spot after he was pulled down by Van de Ven, who will now miss next Sunday's clash with Liverpool.

Jorgen Strand Larsen put Palace ahead before Sarr rounded off the scoring all in first half injury time with the second half a mere formality.

Spurs remain only one point outside the relegation places after West Ham United and Nottingham Forest both got positive results this week at Fulham and Manchester City respectively.

"I don't think there is quality," former Spurs striker Peter Crouch said on TNT Sports' coverage of the game. "The best players are out injured. Tottenham are bang in trouble.

"I look at Manchester United and they looked to Michael Carrick, he has managed to get a tune out of those players straight away. Tudor is a massive gamble.

"There are no players who have come through from the youth team, players who know the club.

"Archie Gray was the best player for Tottenham, and he's 19 years old. There's not enough leaders out there."

Tottenham player ratings vs Crystal Palace - Van de Ven crazy, Porro anger as Archie Gray fights

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Tottenham player ratings vs Crystal Palace - Van de Ven crazy, Porro anger as Archie Gray fights - Football London
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Here are our Tottenham player ratings after their defeat against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday night

Tottenham fell to a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on a Thursday night that turned with Micky van de Ven's red card and here are our Spurs player ratings.

Igor Tudor made four changes to the team that lost at Fulham with Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel and Pape Matar Sarr coming into the starting line-up and 19-year-old Souza given a first start for the club.

Ismaila Sarr thought he had given Palace the lead in the 29th minute, his shot deflecting up off Pedro Porro and over Guglielmo Vicario and into the net. After a long VAR check for offside, Sarr's face is adjudged to be offside.

Just five minutes later and Spurs looked to be up and running as Archie Gray got between two defenders and hit a low cross that Dominic Solanke thumped into the net form close range.

Just four minutes later and everything went horribly wrong. Captain for the night Van de Ven pulled back Sarr as he ran into the box, earning a red card and gifting Palace a penalty which Sarr rolled home.

Matters just kept getting worse in added time at the end of the half as first Jorgen Strand Larsen ran on to Adam Wharton's ball and poked the ball through Vicario's legs. Then Wharton again carved Spurs apart with a ball over the top that Sarr beat Vicario to and poked home.

Spurs had chances in the second half with 10 men as Solanke and Danso tested Henderson but they could not find a way back into the game.

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Here are our Spurs player ratings after the game:

Guglielmo Vicario

Saved early on from Wharton but dived the wrong way for Sarr's penalty, got nutmegged by Strand Larsen and beaten to the ball by Sarr before the break. 4

Pedro Porro

Played on the right of a back three before the red card. Lack of communication with Vicario for Palace's third goal. Kept trying to play balls over the top with little success and was furious with everything when he came off. 4

Kevin Danso

Back in the team and gave everything. Forced a save from Henderson early in the second half. Was Spurs' best defender on the night. 6

Micky van de Ven

Absolute madness. Captain for the night and his brain switched off for the moment that turned everything, pulling back on Sarr after he got in front of him. He will now miss the game at Liverpool. 2

Archie Gray

Spurs' best player on the night by a mile. Once again a teenager had to drive on the team and he got inside two Palace defenders before crossing low to Solanke to fire home. Had another chance in the second half after dribbling into the box and fought for everything, with tackles aplenty. 7

Pape Matar Sarr

Sent an early shot wide. Got a first half yellow card for showing an imaginary yellow card after a Palace foul. Dispossessed for the second Palace goal but it was a difficult pass from Tel. Put in the yards in the second half to no avail. 5

Joao Palhinha

Started off in midfield but switched back to defence after the red card. Slow to react to some of the late first half danger. 5

Souza

His first Spurs start and got a booking within six minutes for a late challenge on Munoz that eventually forced the Palace man off with a shoulder injury. Then got taken off after the red card. 4

Randal Kolo Muani

Taken off with Souza and went straight down the tunnel. Hadn't offered much before coming off. 4

Dominic Solanke

Looked to have put Spurs into gear with his close range first half goal. Battled away and got into the box on 66 minutes with a low shot saved by Henderson. 6

Mathys Tel

Cut inside and had an early effort saved. Gave Palace some problems but also Sarr with a poor pass that led to Palace's second goal. 5

Subs

Conor Gallagher

Ran around a lot with little quality in possession. 5

Yves Bissouma

Helped Spurs keep control of the ball at times in the second half. He holds the ball better than most. 6

Richarlison

Came on for the final 15 minutes or so and threw himself around a bit. 5

Xavi Simons

Pedro Porro's furious reaction as Tottenham star lets rip in dugout after Igor Tudor call

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Pedro Porro's furious reaction as Tottenham star lets rip in dugout after Igor Tudor call - Football London
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Tottenham Hotspur player Pedro Porro showed his frustrations after being substituted during his side's clash with Crystal Palace while Igor Tudor's men trailed 3-1

Pedro Porro reacted furiously after being substituted for Xavi Simons by smacking a seat in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout during Thursday's match against Crystal Palace.

Porro, 26, also threw a drinks carton at the floor before taking a seat in the dugout. The Spain international was also shouting over his shoulder after coming off the pitch and was ushered towards the bench by a Tottenham staff member.

He has only just returned from a muscle injury that kept him out of five matches across all competitions. Porro, however, played the full 90 minutes in his first game back against Fulham at the weekend.

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Igor Tudor made a double change with barely 15 minutes remaining, with Richarlison also replacing Spurs' goalscorer Dominic Solanke. They were the first substitutions since the team went behind in added time at the end of the first half.

Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma both came on to replace Souza and Randal Kolo Muani minutes before Palace went ahead after Micky van de Ven's sending off. Ismaila Sarr equalised from the penalty spot after being brought down by the Spurs defender.

Jorgen Strand Larsen then put Palace ahead in the first minute of added time. Sarr then doubled his tally for the evening and his team's advantage before the break, which was the cue for several Tottenham fans to leave the stadium.

Porro's outburst also followed comments on Wednesday night questioning the makeup of their squad, made during an appearance on the Spanish radio programme El Larguero. He said: "Obviously, when you don't have a squad capable of competing in four competitions, it's tough.

"You see the injuries, and it's a starting eleven that makes you think, 'Wow.' Last year was exactly the same; we had that momentum in the Europa League to win the competition, and the same thing happened in the Premier League.

"You have to build a project to compete in everything and be focused on everything." Porro continued: "Our situation in the Premier League is a disaster, but then you see how we've competed in the Champions League and barely conceded at home.

He also said: "If I could bring one player to Tottenham, it would be Pedri; I'd give the whole team for him." On his own future, Porro said: "When you're little, you dream about a lot of things, but day to day I focus on my reality, and when you think about playing for the best teams in the world, you know you still have things to improve."

Peter Crouch believes Porro and his teammates have plenty to improve on. He said on TNT Sports: "I don't think there is quality. The best players are out injured. Tottenham are bang in trouble ... There's not enough leaders out there."

Tottenham crisis hits humiliating new low as fans leave at half

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Tottenham Hotspur fans expressed their anger at another capitulation with their feet as they left the stadium during the first-half against Crystal Palace.

The Premier League showdown with their London rivals started slowly with Igor Tudor's side handed a reprieve after the semi-automated offside technology narrowly adjudged Ismaila Sarr offside. They hit back with a goal from Dominic Solanke, his first against the Eagles, but just minutes after breaking the deadlock, Spurs gave themselves a mountain to climb.

Captain Mickey van de Ven was shown a straight red card for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity as Sarr appeared to be hauled down by the Dutchman, who will now serve a one-match ban and miss next Sunday's trip to Liverpool.

The Senegalese made no mistake in equalising but in first-half stoppage-time, things went from bad-to-worse as they conceded twice in six minutes to Jorgen Strand-Larsen and a second strike from Sarr.

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Boos echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as fans were forced to endure another abject display. TNT Sports cameras showed supporters looking dejected, angry and in disbelief as Spurs teeter closer to the relegation zone - compounded by important results from relegation rivals West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.

Aerial pictures showed fans departing in their droves, Oliver Glasner's side in front and cruising toward three points.

Speaking as part of TNT Sports' coverage, Joe Cole said: "The whole performance is tepid and there's no bite, no anger, nothing and the crowd is feeling that.

"The crowd looked like they had given up because the players hadn't given them anything. It's going to be a long second-half for Igor Tudor's men."

Former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch added: "That's the disappointing thing. I've played in games at White Hart Lane where you got booed off at half-time drawing games, where you haven't played badly, it feels like desperation now.

"It's almost like they've given up, which is worse."

As the players made their way out for the second-half, footage showed large swathes of empty seats in the home end of the North London Stadium, while some fans looked dejected as they sat in the crowd.

Cole added: "We know what's happened there. Sometimes as a manager you think make a few tweaks but sometimes you've got to vent, emotional outbursts, I've had managers say, 'get out of my sight'.

"Fans will always vote with their feet, as players you've got to block it out. You've got to go, 'next minute, next minute, next minute' and you try build into the game."

Crouch was in disbelief at the scenes from within the stadium. He said: "I've never seen this place so quiet, it's eerie. They're down to ten men, it's going to be so difficult for them - I fear for the worst in this second half. They're going to have to stop them, I fear for them, it's going to have to be damage limitation."

The Tottenham players were sent out early for the second-half and boos were audible as they waited for their Palace opponents to emerge.

Kevin Danso came close to reducing the deficit after the restart but Palace survived. Spurs fans were similarly angered during their first-half against Manchester City last month but then-manager Thomas Frank saw his side stage a comeback to hamper the title charge of Pep Guardiola's men.

Micky van de Ven suspension explained after Tottenham red card blow vs Crystal Palace

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Tottenham defender Mickey Van de Ven will miss his side's trip to Anfield to take on Champions League hopefuls Liverpool after he was sent off against Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity which saw Ismaila Sarr pulled down after the Senegalese got the wrong side of the defender. Andrew Madley wasted no time in showing a straight red card and reducing Spurs to ten men in a crucial game for Igor Tudor.

He will miss the clash with Liverpool next Sunday, but because red cards in the Premier League only apply to domestic action, he can play against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup earlier this season so are not in action this weekend.

It was an action-packed 40 minutes in North London where Sarr saw an opening goal ruled out for offside after semi-automated technology ruled that the 28-year-old's face was offside.

Five minutes later, Dominic Solanke opened the scoring after instinctively powering home following good work down the left from Archie Gray but their lead was short-lived as Van de Ven was sent off just four minutes later.

Sarr stepped up and coolly slotted past Gugliermo Vicario, sending the Italian the wrong way. The joy for caretaker manager Igor Tudor had quickly turned to despair as his captain was sent for an early shower leaving Spurs a man light for the remaining 50 minutes.

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With positive results for West Ham United and Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, the pressure was on the Croatian's side in North London on Thursday as they came against an out-of-form Palace side.

Solanke's goal, a first against the Eagles, appeared to give Spurs the boost that they needed. But they gave themselves a mountain to climb when Van de Ven hauled former Watford man Sarr down after he got the wrong side of the defender.

Tudor took evasive action, making a double change on the stroke of half-time with Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma replacing Souza and Randal Kolo Muani.

Speaking on commentary, former Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart said: "Oh dear. Oh goodness me, seeing it on the replay, I think you're going to have to go Mickey.

"Strand-Larsen deals with Danso, Sarr gets the wrong side of Van de Ven, his instincts take over, he pulls down the Crystal Palace man, makes no attempt to play the ball that's why it's a red.

"He's holding him, he's holding. The only thing they can clutch onto is Strand-Larsen on Danso but I don't think that's a foul. You can't believe it can you? He doesn't need to do that, he'll be so disappointed."

Van de Ven looked up to the heavens while Tudor was sat back, slouched in his chair and the former Wolfsburg defender will now miss their trip to Anfield next Sunday.

In first-half stoppage time, things went from bad to worse as Strand-Larsen made it three goals in four games against Spurs before Sarr doubled his tally for the evening to open up a two-goal cushion for the visitors.

Tottenham handed instant VAR verdict after controversial decision in Crystal Palace clash

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Tottenham handed instant VAR verdict after Ismaila Sarr goal disallowed for Crystal Palace - Football London
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Joe Hart and Sam Matterface were left surprised after Tottenham Hotspur were handed a reprieve when Ismaila Sarr was ruled offside during the clash with Crystal Palace.

The Palace forward saw his effort loop over Guglielmo Vicario to hand the visitors the lead. However, following an intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR) and semi-automated offside, the Senegalese saw his effort chalked off.

In a tweet, Premier League Match Centre said: "VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Sarr was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed."

Co‑commentator Hart believed Sarr was onside, saying on TNT Sports: "I don't think this is offside. We had a great view, dead in line from it. It felt like Sarr running though late was a real opportunity for Crystal Palace."

Meanwhile, Matterface added: "The VAR looking at this back at Stockley Park is Nick Hopton and they are just making sure they have the accurate kick point here before they measure as to whether or not it is offside."

Following confirmation from VAR, referee Andy Madley raised his hand to signal the offside. "Is that what we’re going with, yeah?" Hart asked, before adding: "His face was offside, in front of the goal.

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"None of that looks right. None of it looks right."

Palace boss Oliver Glasner was also seen pointing to his nose shortly after, suggesting he believed that was the reason the goal was ruled out.

Moments later, the hosts scored the opening goal through Dominic Solanke before captain Micky van de Ven was sent off for denying Sarr a goal scoring opportunity.

The Dutchman pulled Sarr down after the Senegalese got the wrong side of the defender. Madley wasted no time in showing a straight red card, reducing Spurs to ten men in what was a crucial game for Igor Tudor.

Sarr made no mistake from the spot, sending Vicario the wrong way. Jorgen Strand Larsen and Sarr both found the net just before half‑time - making it 3-1 for the visitors.

Home supporters were seen leaving their seats after Spurs conceded the third goal.

Defeat will leave Spurs just one point above the relegation zone.

Tottenham team confirmed vs Crystal Palace - Souza starts with Xavi and Conor Gallagher benched

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Here's the Tottenham team that Igor Tudor has named to take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday evening

Igor Tudor has made four changes in naming the Tottenham team that he believes can overcome Crystal Palace n the Premier League on Thursday night.

The Croatian is looking for his first Spurs victory and so are the club in the Premier League in 2026 and now Tudor will complete his opening hat-trick of derbies with the challenge of Oliver Glasner's Eagles. If Tottenham are unable to triumph then they will be setting an unwanted new club record Premier League streak of 11 matches without a victory.

Kevin Danso returns to the back four and the interim head coach has given 19-year-old Souza a first start for the club after telling football.london: " He was good, I saw something in him. He is there and waiting for his moment to play."

Mathys Tel once again made an impact from the bench and he starts on the left alongside Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani in a front Xavi Simons and Conor Gallagher drop to the bench with a midfield three of Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr. Alternatively it could be a 3-4-3 with Palhinha in the backline.

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Here's the Tottenham team Tudor has gone with to face Palace: