Tottenham’s 2025-26 campaign is officially in freefall. A nightmare first half against Crystal Palace—featuring a Micky van de Ven red card and a three-goal blitz from the visitors—has left Spurs with just one win in their last 11 league outings. For the first time since 1975, the North London giants are facing the very real prospect of Championship football.
The Turning Point: Van de Ven’s Red Card
The match began with a flicker of hope when Dominic Solanke tapped in the opener (34′). However, the joy was short-lived:
- The Dismissal: Micky van de Ven saw red for a professional foul on Ismaila Sarr inside the box.
- The Collapse: Sarr converted the resulting penalty, followed by strikes from Jorgen Strand Larsen and a second from Sarr in a devastating 13-minute window of first-half stoppage time.
- Tactical Gamble: Tudor’s decision to bench high-profile stars Conor Gallagher and Xavi Simons proved disastrous, as the midfield lacked the bite to contain Palace’s counters.
A Club in Historical Turmoil
The statistics surrounding this run are some of the grimmest in the club’s 144-year history:
| Statistic | Record Set/Matched |
| Winless Run | 11 Games (Worst since October 1975) |
| Consecutive Losses | 5 Games (Worst since November 2004) |
| Home Form | 19 defeats since start of 2024-25 (2nd worst in PL) |
| 2026 Record | Worst start to a calendar year since 1935 |
The “Home Comfort” Myth
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, once a fortress, has become a liability. Spurs have collected a meager 31 home points since the beginning of last season—the lowest total of any ever-present Premier League side in that timeframe. Only Wolves have lost more home games (20) than Spurs (19) in the last 18 months.
What’s Next: The Gauntlet
The schedule offers no respite for Igor Tudor’s shell-shocked squad. They must now balance a domestic relegation scrap with elite European competition.
- Champions League (R16): vs. Atletico Madrid (Home)
- Premier League: vs. Liverpool (Away)
- Premier League: vs. Manchester City (Home)
