Dominant Palace down Tottenham before FA Cup Final

Palace moved closer to making history with a confident 2-0 victory over a depleted Tottenham Hotspur side, thanks to a brace from in-form midfielder Eberechi Eze. The win not only ended a five-game winless streak in the Premier League but also saw the Eagles equal their record points tally in the top flight, setting the stage for a monumental FA Cup final.

In a sun-drenched north London clash, Palace looked sharp and determined from the outset. Manager Oliver Glasner’s side dominated the opening 45 minutes, controlling possession and carving open a much-changed Spurs lineup. While the visitors had two early goals ruled out—one for offside and another for handball—they kept pushing with intent.

Daniel Munoz, a constant threat down the right flank, first had a cross turned in by Ismaila Sarr only for the goal to be disallowed for a marginal offside. Minutes later, Munoz himself rattled the crossbar, with Spurs’ defense all at sea. Palace’s persistence finally paid off just before half-time. Eze met another pinpoint Munoz cross and swept the ball into the net, sending the away fans into raptures. A VAR review for offside followed, but the goal stood, and the Eagles led 1-0 at the break.

The second half began just as the first ended—with Palace firmly in control. Within three minutes of the restart, Eze turned provider, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Sarr. The winger calmly returned the favor, allowing Eze to slot home his second of the match into the bottom corner. It was Eze’s fourth consecutive game on the scoresheet, underlining his importance to this high-flying Palace team.

The win took Palace to 49 points, equalling their best-ever Premier League tally, achieved in the 1992-93, 2018-19, and 2023-24 seasons. With two games remaining—against Wolves and champions Liverpool—there’s a real chance to break new ground.

Glasner, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt last year, has quietly transformed the Eagles into one of the league’s most resilient and fluid teams. His tactical organization and ability to get the best out of players like Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Marc Guehi have paid dividends. The win over Tottenham also marked Palace’s first-ever league double over Spurs, highlighting their continued rise under the Austrian’s leadership.

While Palace soared, Spurs stumbled to a club-record 20th league defeat of the season. Sitting 17th in the table, only above the relegated trio of Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton, it was another forgettable afternoon for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Tottenham made eight changes following their Europa League semi-final win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, prioritizing their upcoming final against Manchester United. But the decision backfired early when Dejan Kulusevski limped off after just 20 minutes with a knee injury. With James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, and Radu Dragusin already sidelined, Spurs now face a mounting injury crisis heading into a potentially season-defining final.

Postecoglou’s side faces Aston Villa on Friday in a rescheduled fixture, providing a last chance to build momentum. For a club with European aspirations, the current domestic form is deeply concerning.

Palace Eyes History With Wembley Showdown Looming

Back at Palace, all eyes are now on Wembley. The Eagles reached their first FA Cup final since 2016 with an emphatic 3-0 win over Aston Villa in last month’s semi-final. On Saturday, they’ll meet Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City with a shot at lifting the prestigious trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

While Saturday could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Palace, questions about the future linger. Glasner has been linked with a return to the Bundesliga, with RB Leipzig reportedly interested. Last summer, Michael Olise left for Bayern Munich, and this year could see other stars depart. Eze, Guehi, Mateta, and midfielder Adam Wharton—who missed the Spurs game through injury—are all likely to attract interest from top European clubs.

Nevertheless, this is a moment to celebrate. Under Glasner, Palace have achieved consistency, flair, and results, and now stand just one win away from a historic season. A victory at Wembley would not only secure their first major silverware but also cement the club’s place as one of the Premier League’s most exciting and upwardly mobile sides.