In a hard-fought encounter at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace secured their first Premier League victory of the season, overcoming Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou had to make do without his star forward Son Heung-min, giving 17-year-old Mikey Moore the nod for his first league start. It was evident from the outset that Palace were ready to make life challenging for their opponents, as the match unfolded with intensity and urgency.
Mateta found the net in the 31st minute, striking the game's only goal and sending the home crowd into raptures. Brennan Johnson nearly levelled the score soon after when he rattled the post, but both teams struggled to capitalize on their opportunities despite several close attempts throughout the match.
This crucial victory means Palace avoids the unwanted record of their worst start to a Premier League season, having entered this fixture without a win from their last eight attempts.
The Eagles began brightly, but both teams had difficulty generating clear goal-scoring opportunities in the opening exchanges. Palace manager Oliver Glasner was forced to make an early substitution when Jefferson Lerma limped off in the 22nd minute, bringing Will Hughes into the fray.
Play resumed, but it wasn't long before Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski was brought down, followed shortly by Pedro Porro, complicating matters for the visitors. Both players, however, managed to continue after receiving treatment.
Palace came close when Maxence Lacroix headed over the crossbar, and Ismaila Sarr tested Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario with a shot. Then, Mateta struck, capitalizing on a loose ball that Daniel Munoz had created from a right-wing cross. The Colombian's precise delivery found Ebere Eze, whose clever play set up Mateta for a confident low finish.
Tottenham almost equalized instantly, as Johnson fired against the left post, but it was a resolute Chalobah who cleared the danger off the line.
As the match progressed, both clubs maintained pressure, but Palace managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead at half-time, thanks in part to a crucial save from Dean Henderson, who thwarted James Maddison in stoppage time.
The second half saw Munoz shoot well over from a promising position. Palace thought they had doubled their lead when Eze netted, only for the celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag, following a VAR check.
In a contentious moment, Palace appealed for a penalty when Eze hit the floor after a challenge by Micky van de Ven, but referee Darren Bond waved play on. Maddison soon went close once again, only to be denied by another fantastic save from Henderson.
With Palace pushing for a second goal, Sarr’s shot was deflected wide, and despite several attempts, including frustrating misses for Munoz and a volley from Eze, they couldn’t extend their lead. Tempers flared when Sarr went down under a challenge from Van de Ven, with calls for the defender’s dismissal ignored as Bond brandished only a yellow card.
As the game wore on, Palace made a change, introducing Eddie Nketiah in place of the stricken Sarr while Spurs sought to salvage a point by making three substitutions, introducing Timo Werner, Richarlison, and Pape Sarr.
Palace's Adam Wharton nearly provided the cushion they needed with under ten minutes on the clock, forcing Vicario into a magnificent save before sending a follow-up effort into the stands from Hughes' corner.
Tottenham ramped up the pressure during stoppage time, with Werner forcing Henderson into yet another save. The Palace goalkeeper wasn’t to be outdone, however, as he punched clear a final Spurs cross, sealing a long-awaited victory for the Eagles.