Palace surrender a two-goal lead as in-form Tottenham come from behind to win 4-2 in the U18 Premier League South. Donte Martin’s brace puts the Young Eagles in command at half-time, but Spurs respond strongly after the break, turning the game around before adding a late fourth.

Spurs ride their momentum to score twice in quick succession, overturning Palace’s two-goal lead to move 3-2 ahead.

Palace look to have survived another scare when Mulvenna hooks the ball away from danger, but moments later the referee points to the spot following a collision between Speroni and Boast. Boast makes no mistake from 12 yards, sending Speroni the wrong way.

Speroni tips a low effort around the post before Moses grazes the post one-on-one. But Spurs are now in the ascendancy and probing hard.

Greaves whips a delicious delivery into Martin’s path, and after initially miscuing his header, the forward makes amends by firing home. Three minutes later, he wins a penalty and keeps his cool from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way!

Palace’s bright spell has shifted, with Tottenham now getting a grip on proceedings and carving openings. Vidal-Philbert forces a turnover and drives down the left before firing into the side netting. Spurs are opening the Young Eagles up admittedly, but their finishing is letting them down so far.

Having weathered Spurs’ early pressure, Palace now come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Lamidi’s whipped cross almost picks out Martin, before Anderson forces a fine diving save from Jack. Then Greaves sees a shot from the right of the area tipped over, with the resulting corner sparking a scramble that Spurs eventually clear.

Boast latches onto a lofted pass in behind and Speroni comes out to sweep, but his clearance ricochets off the onrushing No.9 before fortunately diverting away from goal. Moments later, Tottenham appeal for a penalty, but the referee waves away the claims.

Here we go! Both sides have emerged from the tunnel - the door leading from the changing rooms onto the pitch - and are lining up to greet one another before kick-off. One final handshake, then it’s time to get down to business. Come on, Palace!

The warm-ups are officially underway! Both teams are out on the pitch, with the players stretching and getting their touches in, while the goalkeepers are busy taking catches. We’re not far away now…

Javier Alonso has made three changesto the starting XI. Thiago Speroni - son of club legend Julián Speroni - Nat Kalembo and Seb Bonsu-Amako all come into the side.

There was a midweek boost for the Academy, as our Under-17s - largely made up of U16 players - came out on top against Brighton in the U17 Premier League Cup. The Seagulls fielded a side comprised largely of first-year scholars, but it was Palace who claimed the victory.

After opening 2026/27 with an impressive victory over West Ham United, Palace’s U18s have endured three consecutive defeats. A difficult afternoon against Southampton saw three goals conceded in the space of just three minutes on the way to a 4-1 defeat, before more encouraging performances in narrow losses to Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. There’s certainly plenty of positives to take from those displays - and plenty to build on today.

It’s matchday! Our Under-18s are looking to return to winning ways this morning as they welcome league leaders Tottenham Hotspur to the Academy in the U18 Premier League South. It hasn’t been the easiest start to the campaign, but there’s plenty to build on. Kick-off is at 11:00 BST- let’s get going!