Micky van de Ven self-destructs, Archie Gray deserved more – Tottenham player ratings vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham supporters are now fearing the worst after their side’s horrid 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Thursday.
Spurs hosted the Eagles in a Premier League clash that proved a huge chance for Igor Tudor to get fans on board, but the loss has them one point off relegation with nine games left to play.
Everything was looking all well and good when Dominic Solanke put the Lilywhites in front after 34 minutes, but what was to follow was hard to watch.
Micky van de Ven was sent off for a foul on Ismaila Sarr, which resulted in the latter converting from the spot to level things up for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Tottenham were at a major disadvantage with 10-men as Tudor helplessly watched on as Jorgen Strand Larsen fired the visitors into a lead before Sarr added a third before the break, which killed the game off.
Tottenham’s loss is all down to Micky van de Ven
Solanke’s early goal gave Spurs a big let-off after Sarr’s first strike of the contest was ruled out for offside, but it all came crashing down because of van de Ven.
Sarr got in behind the Dutchman, who didn’t need to have his hands on the former, and in doing so, he fouled the last man, which was always going to be a straight red.
A penalty alone would have been a sucker punch at that stage in the game, let alone a red card.
As highlighted by Sofascore in the graphic below, van de Ven was awarded a 5.4 rating after he was given his marching orders in the 38th minute.
He was actually having a decent game before the red card, recording a 100 per cent pass accuracy and winning four duels in total.
It was a reckless foul, though, and it showed that the centre-back wasn’t thinking with his head straight. An anxious decision was made, which encapsulates the state that the Lilywhites find themselves in now.
Archie Gray can hold his head up high
Archie Gray was Tottenham’s brightest spark alongside Solanke and is one of maybe three players who can hold their head up high.
The Englishman created one big chance in the game, providing an assist for Solanke’s opener. He had an expected assist rate of 0.56, which goes to show the quality of service he gave the Spurs striker before his finish.
He also got stuck in defensively, making five defensive contributions, while also completing 100 per cent of his dribbles. A ball carrying distance of 154.1 metres proves his determination.
The 19-year-old’s 71 per cent passing accuracy was an example of how he was trying to get the Lilywhites moving up the field, and was one of the only ones taking a gamble.
Gray almost scored a wonderful solo run in the second 45, and did not deserve to be on the losing side.
- Read more: Tottenham fans react to Guglielmo Vicario announcement vs Crystal Palace – ‘This is a loss’
Tottenham player ratings vs Crystal Palace
Guglielmo Vicario – 3
Pedro Porro – 4 (off for Simons 74′)
Kevin Danso – 4
Micky van de Ven – 1
Archie Gray – 7
Souza – 5 (off for Gallagher 43′)
Joao Palhinha – 5
Pape Sarr – 5
Randal Kolo Muani – 3 (off for Bissouma 43′)
Mathys Tel – 6
Dominic Solanke – 7 (off for Richarlison 74′)
Substitutes
Xavi Simons – 6 (on for Porro 74′)
Yves Bissouma – 4 (Kolo Muani 43′)
Conor Gallagher – 4 (on for Souza ’43)
Richarlison – 5 (on for Solanke 74′)
For more expert reaction on Tottenham and Igor Tudor updates, head to Football Insider.