By Martin Graham
Thousands of supporters began leaving the stadium before halftime as Tottenham’s alarming run continued during their defeat to Crystal Palace. Spurs had taken an early lead through Dominic Solanke, but the match quickly turned when Micky van de Ven conceded a penalty and received a red card. Palace then struck three times in a devastating 12-minute spell, leaving the home side facing yet another damaging loss.
The result extended Tottenham’s dreadful run, with the club still searching for their first Premier League victory of 2026. Their sequence of 11 league matches without a win is the longest since 1975, while only once before — in 1935 — have they endured a worse run, when they went 16 matches without success.
Despite the result, interim manager Igor Tudor insisted he saw encouraging signs from his players. The Croatian, who has lost all three matches since taking charge, claimed he believes even more strongly in the team after the defeat and said he is determined to select players who share his direction for the squad.
Tudor suggested those who are not fully committed may not remain part of his plans, adding that injured players returning could help improve results. Although he acknowledged the difficulty of the current situation, he maintained confidence that wins will eventually arrive.
Fans lose faith amid tense atmosphere
With nine matches remaining, Tottenham sits just one point above the relegation zone, placing their Premier League status under serious threat for the first time in decades. When the players returned early from the dressing room for the second half, the stands already showed large gaps after many fans chose to leave.
Those who stayed until the final whistle responded with loud boos, reflecting frustration that Spurs have not won a home league match since beating Brentford on 6 December 2025. The mood around the ground was tense, with former Chelsea and England winger Joe Cole describing an atmosphere filled with anxiety.
Cole criticised the performance as lacking intensity and determination, saying the display appeared lifeless and suggested the players had stopped fighting. According to him, many supporters now seem disillusioned and no longer believe the team can turn things around.
When Tudor was appointed last month, he insisted Tottenham would “100%” avoid relegation, but that confidence now appears increasingly uncertain. The manager said he understood why supporters left early, acknowledging that they expected far more from the team.
Worrying numbers increase relegation fears
The statistics surrounding Tottenham’s recent form paint a bleak picture. The side has not won a league match since 28 December and has held a lead for only 13 minutes in total since 7 January.
Since Tudor took charge, Spurs rank bottom of the Premier League for goals conceded, goal difference, expected goals conceded, expected goals difference, and points collected. Their defensive problems have also been clear, with the team conceding at least twice in nine consecutive matches for the first time in the club’s history.
At home, only Wolves have lost more Premier League games since the start of last season. Tottenham have suffered 19 defeats at their stadium during that period, underlining the extent of their struggles.
Spurs supporter Chris Cowlin told BBC Radio 5 Live he was stunned by the latest performance, saying fans want to see determination and points but instead face the possibility of relegation. He noted that the club had expected the move to their new stadium in 2019 to launch a period of success, yet Tottenham have since cycled through numerous managers without progress.
Supporters question leadership and squad
Outside the stadium, several fans told BBC Sport the club was experiencing one of the darkest moments in their history and believed relegation was now a real possibility. Some criticised the players, claiming there are too many egos in the squad and accusing them of still living off the momentum of last season’s Europa League triumph.
Another supporter pointed to the contrast with fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and West Ham, arguing those teams show greater determination than Tottenham. Others placed responsibility on the club’s hierarchy, suggesting transfer decisions left the squad short of goal-scoring options and unable to cope with injuries.
Tottenham, traditionally considered part of the Premier League’s “big six”, have not been relegated since the 1976-77 campaign. Only one season since their promotion in 1949-50 has been spent outside the top flight.
Ten months ago Spurs celebrated winning the Europa League, and they currently remain in the Champions League last 16 despite sitting 16th in the league table. However, their immediate focus is survival, with a difficult run of fixtures ahead, including matches against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, and Wolves.
Former Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray said Tottenham must quickly find the right combination of players and understanding to collect crucial points before the season ends. He also dismissed suggestions Tudor should be dismissed so soon after his appointment, saying removing the manager after only three games would simply acknowledge that the club chose the wrong coach in the first place.
