Tottenham Hotspur have achieved a milestone that has eluded them for over 600 days: three consecutive Premier League victories. The run was extended on Saturday with a commanding performance against Crystal Palace, a result that signals a potential turning point under head coach Roberto de Zerbi. According to BBC Sport, the victory moved Spurs into the upper reaches of the table and demonstrated the kind of sustained excellence that has been absent from the club for far too long.
The match itself was decided early when Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was dismissed after 13 minutes for a reckless challenge on Micky van de Ven. Tottenham capitalised ruthlessly on their numerical advantage, with Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke both finding the net to secure a convincing win. This triumph followed Spurs' first league victory of the season at home to Coventry City and their remarkable success at Chelsea—only their second league win at Stamford Bridge in 36 years.
The significance of three straight wins cannot be overstated. Prior to this sequence, Tottenham had managed just three victories across their previous 26 league matches, a run that included 10 draws and 13 defeats stretching back to midway through the previous season. The club had also endured two consecutive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League, a period of sustained underperformance that cast a shadow over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The statistics from the Palace match underscored Spurs' dominance. Sky Sports reported that Tottenham recorded a shot count of 34 to Palace's two, the largest differential (32 shots) the club has achieved against any opponent since Opta began tracking such records in 2003-04. This surpassed even Liverpool's 36-4 advantage over Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 2024. Spurs also commanded 79.4% possession, their second highest on record in a Premier League match after an 80.2% figure against Newcastle United in August 2019.
De Zerbi's summer investment of £300 million is beginning to show tangible returns. The manager had pleaded for patience with his two marquee midfield signings: Sandro Tonali, who arrived from Newcastle United for £100 million, and Mateus Fernandes, purchased from West Ham United for £85 million. Both players started slowly but are now demonstrating the quality that justified their substantial transfer fees. Tonali was particularly influential against Palace, using his running power and physicality to drive Spurs forward and create opportunities. Fernandes remained lively throughout, constantly seeking the pass that could unlock the opposition defence.
Dejan Kulusevski, returning from a lengthy injury absence, made an immediate impact as a substitute, forcing a fine save from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and providing the kind of attacking threat that has been sorely missed. The combination of these players operating in tandem suggests that De Zerbi's vision for the club may finally be taking shape.
What has changed at Tottenham?
The transformation extends beyond individual performances. De Zerbi spoke to his squad during the international break and orchestrated a deliberate shift in mentality.
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. 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 manager emphasised that while nothing fundamental had changed tactically, the mood, spirit and relationship with the players had transformed entirely.
De Zerbi also highlighted the team's resilience during the Palace match.
The passion we showed - we didn't lose the focus, the concentration. We made an incredible reaction when we lost the ball. We could have scored more goals, but we created many chances. We have to be more nasty, especially in the last third of the match, especially in the finishing. I'm happy because I knew before this would be a tough game.
What does this mean for Palace?
The defeat leaves Crystal Palace in a precarious position. ESPN confirmed that the loss was Palace's third consecutive league defeat, dropping them into the relegation zone with only two wins from nine league games. Manager Pierre Sage now faces mounting scrutiny as his side battles to avoid the drop. The absence of Mateta, who will miss the next three Premier League matches following his red card, further complicates Palace's immediate prospects.
How significant is this run for Tottenham?
While three consecutive wins represent genuine progress, De Zerbi has been careful to temper expectations. The club's recent history—two successive 17th-place finishes and a relegation battle under his predecessor—serves as a sobering reminder of how far Spurs have fallen. The manager's insistence that three wins are insufficient and that the team must maintain this standard going forward reflects both ambition and realism.
The mood shift inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been palpable since the psychological breakthrough of that first league victory against Coventry. What was once a venue tinged with anxiety and frustration now crackles with renewed optimism. The expensive summer signings are beginning to justify their investment, the academy products like Gray are stepping up, and the returning players like Kulusevski are adding depth to the attacking options.
Notably, Yahoo Sports highlighted that six of Tottenham's 10 league goals this season had come in the final 15 minutes, suggesting the team is developing the mental strength to push for late winners rather than surrendering in the closing stages. Additionally, teenager Luca Williams-Barnett made his league debut in the Palace match, indicating that De Zerbi is also integrating academy talent into his plans.
What happens next for Spurs?
Tottenham's next challenge arrives on November 7 when they travel to Leeds United. The fixture represents an opportunity to extend the winning run further, though De Zerbi will be acutely aware that consistency—not individual victories—is what transforms a club's trajectory. The manager's repeated emphasis on maintaining standards and behaviour suggests he views the current sequence as the beginning of a longer process rather than a destination in itself.
For now, the curve at Tottenham is pointing upward. Whether De Zerbi can sustain this momentum and transform it into a genuine title challenge or, more realistically, a return to European football remains to be seen. But for the first time in nearly two years, there is genuine reason for optimism at the club.
