Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Our Senegalese Sarr

> Ismaïla Sarr became the club’s third signing of the 2024/25 summer transfer window after joining on a five-year deal from Olympique de Marseille.

The 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – prior to joining Marseille, whom he helped reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.

Sarr's career began in French football with Metz, before moving to Rennes and leading the club into Europe, as well as winning their first Coupe de France in almost half a century.

At international level, he has been a mainstay of the Senegal national side, earning 64 caps, scoring 13 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

His career has also been defined by his eye for the spectacular, having won Goal of the Season awards in both the Football League and the Europa League.

Sarr was ever-present in every Premier League matchday squad in his first season at the club, playing in all 38 games, while also featuring in a further nine cup games. He scored 11 goals across all competitions, with eight additional assists - including a stunning effort against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and a brace against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final.

2022/23, Watford (v West Bromwich Albion)

EFL Goal of the Season

Watford, 2020/21

Player of the Season

Players' Player of the Season

2018/19, Rennes (v Jablonec)

UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season

December 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Sarr

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Goal of the month contenders | February 2026

Last time out | Zrinjski Mostar on Super8 

UEFA Conference League Match highlights: Zrinjski Mostar 1-1 Crystal Palace 

Sarr Previews Burnley

All Angles of Ismaïla Sarr's Goal v Brighton

The Full 90: Brighton v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace | Palace TV +

Match Action: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace

Strand Larsen presents Sarr with Premier League Man of the Match

Ismaïla Sarr Returns From AFCON

Pre-match Press Conference | RC Strasbourg (A)

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

Sarr wins October's Goal of the Month

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

Jorgen previews Tottenham Hotspur

- **[How to watch & follow Thursday night's game at Tottenham (20:00 GMT kick-off)](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/information/tv-information-how-to-follow-tottenham-hotspur-v-crystal-palace/).**
- **[Hear from the Manager ahead of the match](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/glasner-on-tottenham-guessand-balancing-domestic-and-continental-football/).**

Just over a month since signing for Palace from Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Norway international has already made six appearances for his new side, recording two goals and an assist and helping the club continue its historic journey into the UEFA Conference League Round of 16.

Strand Larsen has previously played in the UEFA Europa League with his first professional club, Sarpsborg, but is balancing the demands of English and European football for the first time in his career – albeit with Palace having a week in between matches after Thursday night’s match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and next week’s Conference League game at home to AEK Larnaca (for which tickets are available).

“It’s obviously been a tight game schedule since I've come,” Strand Larsen said of his start to life at Palace.

“It's been six games in just three or four weeks, and it's obviously what you want – because you always want to play a lot of games, you just need to make sure your mind and your body is ready for it. 

“It takes a bit of a different recovery than what I'm used to, but I already feel like I'm able to play at a high level for many games in a short period of time. I feel like it suits me well and I'm looking forward to the future.

“The prep [for Thursday’s trip to Spurs] has been good. We know how it is – it will be a tough place to go – but at the same time we're going there to try and get the three points, and that's what we're prepared for.

“We have a little break in games, so it will be important for us to get some points and a good feeling from that game.”

We are trying to look forward and be positive, and win as many games as we can

Strand Larsen is encouraged by what he has seen from his Palace teammates in his first month as an Eagle, with many tipping his team to be favourites for this season’s Conference League crown, a year after the club claimed the FA Cup at Wembley.

The forward added: “We need to build some confidence here now and I feel like we're on a good run, even though we lost the game [on Sunday].

“I've obviously just been here for a short time, but my goal and I think the team's goal is to go as far as we can in Europe and hopefully go and win the trophy. We know that it takes one step at a time, and that's what we're going to do: we're going to think about one game at a time, and try and respect every game there. 

“And then in the Premier League, obviously, we're just going to try and stay away from the relegation zone, which I think we will. We also know that a European spot isn't too far away as well, so we are trying to look forward and be positive, and win as many games as we can.

"That's always the main target."

### **Match Details**

**Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace**

- Thursday, 5th March
- 20:00 GMT
- Premier League
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- [Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Club-record signing Jørgen Strand Larsen feels he is adapting quickly to the rigours of Crystal Palace’s Premier League and European football schedule – and is hoping to add to his two goals so far in red and blue when the Eagles visit Tottenham on Thursday night.

Strand Larsen on adapting to Palace & taking on Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace (2026-03-05)

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Manchester United

Last Match

Tottenham Hotspur

Next Match

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### **Factfile**

- **Manager:** Igor Tudor (Interim until end of 2025/26)
- **League Position:** 16th
- **Ground:** Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- **Founded:** 1882 (143 years ago)

### **In their manager's words...**

**In his pre-match press conference Tottenham boss Igor Tudor** said his players understand the seriousness of their situation ahead of Palace's visit on Thursday evening.

Spurs are just one point ahead of the Premier League relegation zone and are looking for a first win in 2026. Tudor was appointed last month after previous manager Thomas Frank left following a home defeat against Newcastle.

Since the former Croatia international arrived, Spurs have been beaten by Arsenal and Fulham. 

"Everyone understands the situation, but we are working hard to change this," he said in his pre-match press conference. "Otherwise there is something wrong if you don’t understand. 

"Of course my job is to put the pressure away, but their job is also to accept this pressure as part of the job. Pressure is everywhere, but you need to love this job, you need to enjoy this job like you did when you start at 10-years-old to do this sport, so you don’t need to forget that this in the end only sport. Real pressures are other jobs.

"Coaches always feel the pressure. It's a seven out of ten [the pressure]. It's always a part of the job to feel the pressure, but also to enjoy in this job what you can enjoy."

### **Tottenham Team News**

Tudor has confirmed that Djed Spence will remain sidelined for the game against Palace. The defender missed Spurs' defeat at Fulham last time out and has not recovered in time for this one.

Cristian Romero remains suspended, the last of his four game ban.

Tottenham have a lengthy injury list and Tudor confirmed that no-one from that list was ready to return against the Eagles. This includes James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, Mo Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies.

### **Their Season So Far...**

Tottenham defeated Palace at Selhurst Park back in December for their seventh league win of the season. However, since that victory they have suffered a major dip in form, picking up four point from the next ten league games. Going into Thursday's meeting, they sit 16th in the Premier League table.

That run has seen a change in manager, as the Europa League holders aim to drag themselves away from a relegation scrap.

Despite a hugely disappointing domestic season – Tottenham also exited both domestic cups early – once again Europe has provided solace.

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur | Palace TV+

Frank steered Tottenham into a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League league phase. Spurs lost just one of their eight games, a 5-3 defeat against holders PSG, who they also pushed to penalties in the UEFA Super Cup at the start of the season. 

They will face Spanish side Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16 later this month, with the second leg on home soil.

### **The Boss: Igor Tudor**

Tudor began his first managerial job in England last month, appointed Tottenham manager until the end of the season. 

A defender in his playing days, Igor started and ended his career with boyhood club Hajduk Split either side of a most notable nine-year spell at Italian giants Juventus. 

While with the 'Old Lady' he won two Serie A titles, two Italian Super Cups, an Intertoto Cup and started in the 2003 Champions League final.

At international level Tudor earned 55 caps for Croatia. He represented his country at three World Cups, including the 1998 tournament when his team finished third. 

Tudor also scored against England during a 4-2 defeat at Euro 2004.

With a coaching CV totalling ten clubs across Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and now England, the 47-year-old has built a reputation for delivering instant improvements following various mid-season appointments.

Extended Highlights: Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

### **Stat Attack**

- Palace are looking to win back-to-back away games at Tottenham for the first time in the Premier League era after a 2-0 win last season where Ebere Eze scored both goals.
- The last time Palace conceded a first half away goal on a Thursday, was on Boxing Day 2002 at Portsmouth.
- The Eagles have lost just one of our last nine away London derby matches in the Premier League (W5 D3), going down 1-0 at Arsenal in October.

### **Match Details**

**Tottenham v Crystal Palace**

- **Thursday, 5th March**
- **20:00 GMT**
- **Premier League**
- **Tottenham Hotspur Stadium**
- **TNT Sports (UK)**
- **[Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)**

Crystal Palace will look to get back to winning ways on Thursday evening (20:00 GMT) away at Tottenham Hotspur – here’s the lowdown on our opponents and the latest from their new manager ahead of the game...

View from the Opposition: Spurs boss Tudor on pressure ahead of Palace visit

- **[How to watch & follow Thursday night's game at Tottenham (20:00 GMT kick-off)](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/information/tv-information-how-to-follow-tottenham-hotspur-v-crystal-palace/).**
- **[Click here for the Manager's pre-match team news update, including news on Lerma and Mateta.](http://cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/palace-team-news-update-ahead-tottenham-trip/)**
- **[Hear more from the Manager ahead of the match](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/glasner-on-tottenham-guessand-balancing-domestic-and-continental-football/).**

Glasner believes Palace's 2025/26 is about to enter a crucial phase, with ten Premier League games remaining, starting with Thursday's trip to Tottenham (20:00 GMT) – and a last 16 tie in the UEFA Conference League beginning next week.

The Eagles ended the previous season with an outstanding run of form, losing just two games from mid-February to the end of a campaign which culminated in an FA Cup Final victory.

When asked if this time of the season brought the best out of him, during the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference, Glasner responded by saying: “We are starting the crunch time in the Premier League and the Conference League.

“I don’t know, maybe I enjoy it because the sun is shining.

“But I always like crunch time. Of course, my focus is always the same.

“Tomorrow is the 44th game [of the season]. I never have managed more than 49 in my career, which was with Frankfurt in the second year.

“Last year we had 48 games. So that’s my rhythm of having 50 games. It’s also new for me.

“But I hope the Crystal Palace team will see the best Oliver Glasner he can be.”

Glasner will have a range of attacking options to select from for the game in North London, with Evann Guessand, Ismaïla Sarr, Yéremy Pino, Jørgen Strand Larsen and Brennan Johnson all available.

For Johnson it will be his first return to Tottenham since switching to South London at the start of the year.

The Wales international enjoyed a successful two-and-a-half year spell with Spurs and scored the winning goal in the Europa League final as they lifted a European trophy last season.

But Glasner doesn’t believe he will be any additional pressure as he returns to his former stomping ground.

“I spoke to him and I think for him it's important to be Brennan Johnson,” Glasner added. “And not to be trying to prove something. He doesn't need to prove anything.

“He's such a great player. He has everything you need as an attacking player. Incredible skills.

“I feel sometimes he puts himself under too much pressure so that he doesn't play with this freedom that maybe he should have.

“He just should enjoy playing football because he’s such a great player. He has all the skills. With freedom I think then he will be the best version of himself and have his best performances.

"There will be games where Brennan will have a great impact, hopefully tomorrow [is one]."

#### **Match Details**

**Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace**

- **Thursday, 5th March**
- **20:00 GMT**
- **Premier League**
- **Tottenham Hotspur Stadium**
- **[Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)**

Oliver Glasner says he is excited to enter what he views as the “crunch time” in Crystal Palace’s season. 

First-team

First-team

Strand Larsen on adapting to Palace & taking on Tottenham

View from the Opposition: Spurs boss Tudor on pressure ahead of Palace visit

Glasner on why he believes in Johnson ahead of his return to Spurs

Shop Palace Shirts

7Ismaïla
Sarr

First-team

First-team

Strand Larsen on adapting to Palace & taking on Tottenham

View from the Opposition: Spurs boss Tudor on pressure ahead of Palace visit

Glasner on why he believes in Johnson ahead of his return to Spurs

Shop Palace Shirts

7IsmaïlaSarr

7Ismaïla
Sarr