Following the match on the evening of 5/3, Tottenham are 16th with 29 points. Behind them, Nottingham Forest and West Ham both have 28 points, while Burnley (19 points) and Wolves (16) are almost certainly relegated. This narrow margin makes the threat of relegation more apparent than ever for a "Big 6" team like Tottenham.

Tottenham's form is particularly concerning. The team has lost all five of its recent matches in the league and has not won a Premier League game since the start of 2026. The defeat to Crystal Palace also marks their third consecutive loss since interim coach Igor Tudor took charge from Thomas Frank.

Pape Matar Sarr was disappointed after Tottenham's 1-3 loss to Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK, on the evening of 5/3/2026. *Photo: AP*

The atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium turned toxic as the first half drew to a close. After Dominic Solanke opened the scoring for the visitors, everything quickly collapsed when center-back Micky van de Ven received a red card for pulling down Ismaila Sarr in a one-on-one situation. Crystal Palace capitalized on their numerical advantage, scoring three consecutive goals in just over 10 minutes at the end of the half.

In the stands, Tottenham fans' frustration quickly turned to anger. Boos erupted every time goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario touched the ball, and many supporters turned to criticize the club's management. Some fans even yelled towards the executive box, claiming they had "killed the team".

The tense atmosphere led many fans to leave early. Images of gradually emptying stands appeared during halftime, and the stadium was sparsely attended by the final minutes of the match.

The division between players and fans was also evident. According to the Guardian, at many points, fans booed the players, while some players showed annoyance at the reaction from the stands. The atmosphere became one where "fans hated the players, players hated the fans, and everyone hated the management".

Ismaila Sarr scored against Tottenham. *Photo: AP*

After the match, Igor Tudor tried to remain optimistic despite Tottenham's continued failures. The Croatian coach attributed the complete change in the game's dynamic to Van de Ven's red card. "Unfortunately, this is a period where we are paying the price for everything. A red card can change the entire match," Tudor said. "It may sound strange, but I believe in the team more after this game. I saw something."

Tudor believes Tottenham still have a chance to avoid relegation if they improve during the rest of the season. "The ship is heading in the direction I want. We need to choose the right people to stay on board. Players who do not want to be on the ship will be removed. When injured players return, I believe the team will be stronger, and victories will come," he added.

However, the reality does not favor Tottenham. Under Tudor, the team has lost all three matches. This prolonged poor run continues to erode fan confidence. The situation is even more worrying as Tottenham still face many strong opponents in the remainder of the season. In the next round, on 15/3, they will visit Liverpool.

Meanwhile, direct competitors like Nottingham Forest and West Ham still have every opportunity to pull ahead. With only one point separating them from the relegation zone, every remaining match for Tottenham now carries vital importance.

Hoang An