Tottenham Suffers 1-0 Defeat to Crystal Palace Amid Son Heung-min’s Absence


Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham Hotspur’s goalkeeper, didn’t hold back in criticizing his team’s mentality after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace. The defeat, which took place on October 27 at Selhurst Park, marked Tottenham’s fourth loss in the Premier League this season, keeping them at 13 points (4 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses) and placing them eighth in the standings.

Despite starting with a 4-2-3-1 formation, Spurs failed to capitalize on their chances. Players such as Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, and Dejan Kulusevski aimed to take control early. However, Palace’s relentless pressure disrupted Tottenham’s rhythm, and the visitors struggled to create meaningful opportunities. In contrast, Crystal Palace celebrated their first league win in nine matches, moving up to 17th place with 6 points.안전놀이터

The only goal of the match came in the 31st minute. Tottenham, attempting to build from the back, lost possession to Munoz, who crossed the ball to Eberechi Eze. Eze expertly flicked it to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who fired a left-footed strike past Vicario. Although Spurs tried to rally, they were met with frustration. Micky van de Ven’s shot in the 33rd minute deflected off Johnson, hitting the post, and Johnson’s long-range attempt in the second half was saved by the Palace goalkeeper.

Manager Ange Postecoglou sought a change by introducing Pape Sarr, Richarlison, and Timo Werner, but the substitutions didn’t yield results. Tottenham’s offense appeared disjointed, and the team succumbed to another away defeat, adding to a troubling pattern this season.

Vicario, reflecting on the loss, pointed to a lack of fighting spirit as a key issue. “Our opponents fought with determination, something we seemed to lack today,” he admitted. “We play good football, but sometimes we lack the hunger to fight for results. We need to accept this personally and learn from it. Football offers us another chance, and we need to be ready for the next game.”

Tottenham’s next opportunity will come in the EFL Cup’s fourth round against Manchester City on October 31. However, the absence of team captain Son Heung-min loomed large over the Palace defeat. Son, who made his return against West Ham earlier in the month, experienced a recurrence of hamstring discomfort, sidelining him once again.

Postecoglou addressed Son’s condition ahead of the Palace match, saying, “Son is still not feeling 100%. He didn’t train today and is unlikely to play over the weekend. We’ll continue to monitor him closely.”

Vicario dismissed the notion that Son’s absence should be an excuse for the loss. “Son is our captain, but we have a large squad, and we must be able to win without him,” he emphasized. “It’s not just about football; it’s about attitude and the desire to fight.”토토사이트

However, Son’s absence was keenly felt, especially after his standout performance against West Ham. In that match, Son provided a pivotal pass leading to a crucial goal and played a key role in forcing an own goal. He capped his performance with a stunning left-footed strike, marking his third league goal of the season.

With Son unavailable, Postecoglou started 16-year-old Mikey Moore in attack. Unfortunately, Moore struggled, recording no shots, zero chances created, and failing in his dribble and cross attempts. Former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara criticized the decision, stating that opting for Moore over Timo Werner was a tactical mistake.

The British press also highlighted Tottenham’s reliance on Son. BBC Sports commented, “This performance epitomizes Tottenham’s struggles. They lacked the courage to convert possession into meaningful chances. Without Son, the team desperately needed someone to step up and take charge.”

Even James Maddison, who captained the side in Son’s absence, couldn’t fill the void. Maddison, playing his 200th Premier League match, was substituted after 60 minutes following an underwhelming display. BBC Sports remarked, “Maddison’s leadership and drive were missing, resulting in Tottenham’s third defeat in five away matches this season.”

As Tottenham prepares for the upcoming cup clash against Manchester City, they must address their recent shortcomings. The team’s performance without Son Heung-min raises concerns about their ability to maintain consistency. For Tottenham, rediscovering their fighting spirit will be crucial if they hope to turn their season around and compete at the highest level.


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