Tottenham squandered an early lead to suffer a 3-1 loss in their crucial Premier League match against Crystal Palace, with a red card to defender Micky van de Ven sparking a ten-minute nightmare for the club.

Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >

Spurs, currently 16th on the Premier League standings, were leading 1-0 in the 34th minute courtesy of a goal to Dominic Solanke, who expertly flicked home a cross from Archie Gray.

However, the contest turned on its head four minutes later when van de Ven was shown a red card for tugging the arm of Ismaïla Sarr to deny a goalscoring opportunity.

In a chaotic ten-minute passage of play, Tottenham then conceded three goals before halftime, included two during added time, with the hosts trailing 3-1 at the break. Spurs fans were seen leaving the venue before the halftime whistle, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was booed by the crowd.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace fans bombarded Spurs manager Igor Tudor, having suffered his third-consecutive defeat since taking over the club last month, with “sacked in the morning” chants.

“I’ve not seen a collapse like this in a very, very long time,” Sky Sports’ Pete Gill said.

“The goal has sparked a mass exodus of Tottenham fans.

“Brilliant from Palace. But a total implosion from Tottenham.

“We can see on the television cameras that a significant number of Tottenham fans haven’t merely left their seats, but left the stadium as well.”

BBC Radio 5 commentator Jonathan Pearce added: “Spurs have shot themselves in the foot.”

Sarr was responsible for two of Crystal Palace’s goals, including the subsequent penalty following van de Ven’s booking, while Jørgen Strand Larsen scored the other through Vicario’s legs.

Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesTottenham Hotspur’s Pape Matar Sarr reacts after the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace in London, Thursday March 5, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)Source: APTottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace in London, Thursday March 5, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)Source: AP

Earlier, Crystal Palace were denied the opener in 29th minute due to VAR verdict that showed Varr was in an off-side position.

Later during the second half, Tottenham’s Pedro Porro was left fuming after being substituted off for Xavi Simons in the 75th minute, kicking a few water bottles and giving the fourth official a few choice words.

Tottenham, fresh off five consecutive defeats, are now at serious risk of being relegated to the Championship for the first time in nearly 50 years. The club is only one point ahead of Nottingham Forest and West Ham, 17th and 18th respectively with 28 points, one less than Spurs.

“If they didn’t think they were in a relegation battle, they know they are now,” Spurs legend Les Ferdinand said on Stan Sport’s coverage.

Former Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray continued on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Tottenham are without a doubt in a relegation fight. That was their game in hand and they have not made amends.

“The most disappointing thing about this evening is they went ahead – they had the opportunity to get the three points.”

Tottenham, with 12 points from their 20 most recent Premier League games, will next face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, March 15.

A relegation that would Tottenham as much as £260 million (AU$495 million), according to a report this week, a huge blow for a club that lost £129 million (AU$245 million) last year, a period when they had the third-highest operating costs of any European team.