Play like this at Wembley and Crystal Palace will have every chance of upsetting the odds when they face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Skilful, clever and wonderfully mobile, Oliver Glasner’s side have nothing to fear when everything comes together.
Palace have a towering back three, boast the unique threat of Daniel Muñoz’s rampaging runs down the right, and know that their collective strength is backed up by the dreamy quality of Eberechi Eze, whose double in a straightforward win against Tottenham’s demotivated reserves ensured Palace have vital momentum before the final.
Spurs, on the other hand, were unable to keep the mood positive before they meet Manchester United in the Europa League final on 21 May. This was their 20th defeat of an appalling Premier League campaign, a club record established, leaving them in 17th place with two games left. The only consolation was that Dejan Kulusevski appeared not to have sustained any serious damage after limping off with an early knee injury. Otherwise it was all very flat and although the Spurs fans tried to keep spirits high with a few songs about their trip to Bilbao there was still no disguising their displeasure at full-time.
Ange Postecoglou, who could depart even if he wins the Europa League, was similarly downbeat. The Australian hoped for more after making eight changes to the side that beat Bodø/Glimt last Thursday. He wanted the understudies to play themselves into contention for the final. It was telling that Postecoglou did not hold back after being asked if the lack of desire could be explained by some players thinking they have no chance of starting against United.
“That’s the problem,” the Spurs manager said. “How do you know? You’ve got to be ready for your opportunity. If there’s nothing else we’ve learnt this year it’s that nothing goes to plan. I’m not thinking about the lineup for the final. If there is that attitude in there it’s the wrong attitude because you’re missing an opportunity.”
Dismissing the idea that there is a chance to make amends when Spurs visit Aston Villa on Friday, Postecoglou was reluctant to make excuses for a dreadful display. “I just think some of it is psychological in terms of not being able to cope with what’s before us at the moment,” he said. “We’re trying to navigate this fine line of being prepared for a really big game but also needing to perform at the levels you need in the Premier League because it’s unforgiving.”
This is why there were so many empty seats in the home sections. Those who reasoned that there are better ways to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon than by watching a lethargic B team go through the motions made a wise choice. Palace dominated to a comical degree. “The goals we scored, the consistency in our defending, this will help us for the final,” Glasner said. “Stay in the rhythm – that’s the most important thing.”
Palace were on top before Kulusevski, who has been off the pace since returning from a foot injury, hobbled off. Spurs hope the Swede was being precautionary. They cannot afford to be without the midfielder’s creativity after losing James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall to injury.
Spurs had no spark. As for Palace, they benefited from Glasner deciding not to rotate. Adam Wharton was the one notable absentee in midfield but Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma compensated for his absence with diligent displays. Muñoz also provided excitement on the flanks, while Jean-Philippe Mateta’s smart movement and clever link play in attack added substance to a vibrant, imaginative performance.
Palace profited from exploiting the space behind Djed Spence, who was in daydreaming mode at left-back. There were chances for Mateta and Muñoz, who crashed one shot against the bar. Ismaïla Sarr and Marc Guéhi had goals disallowed. Ben Davies and Kevin Danso made vital blocks. Antonin Kinsky made saves but was beaten when Muñoz exposed more woeful positioning from Spence, surged on to Mateta’s reverse pass and squared for Eze to score in the 45th minute.
Spurs, who have not lost this many games in a 38-game season since 1912‑13, were well beaten. Postecoglou made few attacking changes. Palace duly sealed another polished away win with a counterattacking beauty early in the second half. It began with Eze using the outside of his right foot to send Sarr sprinting past Spence. It ended with Sarr teeing up Eze for his 12th goal of the season.
Palace, who saw Mateta and Sarr go close to making it 3-0, eased off. Spurs had a few flurries. In the end the most encouraging moment for Postecoglou was Son Heung-min making a late cameo after returning from injury. Spurs will need their captain against United if they are to rescue this dreadful season.
