The prolonged drought has ended for Tottenham Hotspur. After a grueling 21-month period, the North London club has once again secured three consecutive victories in the Premier League, a feat that has become a significant marker of their recent struggles and a potent symbol of a potential resurgence. This impressive run, culminating in a dominant 3-0 win over a beleaguered Crystal Palace on Saturday, has propelled Spurs into the upper echelons of the league table, sparking cautious optimism among their fanbase.
The latest triumph against Crystal Palace was largely dictated by an early red card for the visitors. Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was dismissed in the 13th minute for a reckless challenge on Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. This numerical advantage proved decisive, allowing Tottenham to control the game and secure a comfortable victory. While the official scorers were not explicitly mentioned in the initial report, the article alludes to goals from Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke, building upon the momentum established by earlier league wins.
This three-match winning sequence is a stark contrast to Tottenham’s recent league form. The last time Spurs achieved such a consistent run was in February 2025, a span exceeding 600 days. Prior to this current streak, the club had managed only three league wins in their preceding 26 matches, a period characterized by ten draws and thirteen defeats, stretching back to the middle of the previous season. Furthermore, this marks the first occasion in two years that Tottenham has recorded back-to-back home wins in the league, underscoring the depth of their recent home struggles. The "consistency of regular defeats and two successive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League" that had become a hallmark of the club’s recent past now appears to be giving way to a more positive trend.
A Foundation Built on Recent Successes
The current winning streak is not an isolated event but rather a culmination of a gradual, albeit hard-won, improvement in form. The victory against Crystal Palace follows a crucial 1-0 win at home against Coventry City, which marked their first league success of the season. This was then fortified by a significant away victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This win was particularly noteworthy, being only Tottenham’s second league triumph at Stamford Bridge in 36 years, a testament to the historical difficulty of securing points against their London rivals on their home turf.
Despite the positive results, the prevailing atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the Crystal Palace match was described as one of apprehension. The visit of a struggling Crystal Palace side, often viewed as a potential "banana skin" for teams in transition, was met with a degree of caution, a sentiment undoubtedly shaped by past disappointments. However, the Spurs players demonstrated a clear resolve to break free from this cycle of doubt, seizing the opportunity presented by Mateta’s early dismissal to secure a convincing win.
The Roberto De Zerbi Effect: A Shift in Mentality and Performance
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi, speaking to BBC Sport’s Match Of The Day, emphasized the team’s improved mentality and execution. "The passion we showed – we didn’t lose the focus, the concentration," he stated. "We made an incredible reaction when we lost the ball." De Zerbi acknowledged that while the team created numerous chances and could have scored more, their overall performance was commendable. "We have to be more nasty, especially in the last third of the match, especially in the finishing," he added, highlighting areas for continued improvement. "I’m happy because I knew before this would be a tough game."
De Zerbi also addressed the integration of his significant summer acquisitions, including midfield duo Sandro Tonali, a reported £100 million signing from Newcastle United, and Mateus Fernandes, an £85 million recruit from West Ham United. Both players, having experienced a slow start to their Spurs careers, are now beginning to demonstrate their value. Tonali, who started to find his rhythm against Coventry City, was instrumental in the win against Palace, showcasing his running power, physicality, and creative capabilities. Fernandes was equally lively, consistently seeking opportunities to influence the game.
The impact of De Zerbi’s transfer strategy, which reportedly saw an outlay of £300 million in the summer, is beginning to manifest. The club’s investment is showing signs of yielding returns, with the new signings contributing to a tangible shift in the team’s dynamics. Dejan Kulusevski, returning from a lengthy injury layoff, also delivered an impactful cameo as a substitute against Palace, posing a significant threat and forcing a fine save from Eagles goalkeeper Dean Henderson. This suggests a growing depth and quality within the squad.
Statistical Dominance Underscores Tottenham’s Control
The statistics from the match against Crystal Palace paint a clear picture of Tottenham’s dominance. Spurs registered an astonishing 34 shots on goal, while restricting Crystal Palace to a mere two. This remarkable difference of 32 shots is the largest disparity recorded by Opta for Tottenham since their data began in the 2003-04 season. This level of offensive output is not only impressive for Spurs but also places them among the top statistical performers in recent Premier League history, with only Liverpool managing a larger shot difference (36 against four) against Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 2024.
Furthermore, Tottenham’s possession statistics were equally striking. They enjoyed 79.4% of the ball, their second-highest recorded figure in a Premier League match. This statistic trails only their 80.2% possession against Newcastle United in August 2019, indicating a sustained period of ball control and dominance over their opponents.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The current run of form has undoubtedly instilled a renewed sense of optimism and ambition at Tottenham Hotspur. De Zerbi acknowledged the need for continued ambition, stating, "Listen, we are Tottenham. We can’t forget to be ambitious, to be hungry, to win games in a row, and to make our fans happy." He cautioned against complacency, reminding the team of their previous league position and the need to build upon this momentum. "At the same time, we can’t forget two weeks ago where we have been in the table, to change the last two to three seasons of this club. Three games in a row is not enough. We have to keep this behaviour, this spirit. This condition to prepare every game in the same way."
The psychological shift within the squad appears to be significant. De Zerbi revealed that a frank discussion after the international break led to a collective decision to "change the mood quickly." This internal recalibration, coupled with the recent on-field successes, has fostered a "totally different" mood, spirit, and relationship among the players.
For Crystal Palace, the defeat compounds their existing difficulties. The loss leaves them in the bottom three of the league table, with only two wins from their opening nine fixtures. Head coach Pierre Sage will undoubtedly face increasing scrutiny as the team struggles to find consistent form and points. Their battling performance, despite the numerical disadvantage, suggests a team that has not entirely lost its fighting spirit, but their current league position indicates a pressing need for improvement.
The recent upturn in results for Tottenham Hotspur, marked by this rare three-match winning streak, signifies a potential turning point. While a single sequence of wins does not erase past struggles, it provides a tangible basis for optimism. The team’s improved performance, statistical dominance, and the clear shift in mentality under Roberto De Zerbi suggest that the significant investment made in the summer may finally be bearing fruit. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether this represents a sustained return to form for Spurs or a fleeting moment of positive momentum. However, for now, the mood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of cautious celebration and renewed hope for the future.
