Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) announced his return, but Tottenham recorded their worst defeat in history.

On the 11th (Korea time), Tottenham lost 0-2 to Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, in the 36th round of the 2024-2025 season English Premier League (EPL).

As a result of this match, Tottenham (11 wins, 5 draws, 20 losses, 38 points) dropped to 17th place. Although they have secured their survival regardless of remaining match results, it is true that their ranking is an embarrassing one. Palace (12 wins, 13 draws, 11 losses, 49 points) is in 12th place.

Tottenham, with 20 losses this season in the EPL, has set an unfortunate record for the most losses in a season since the EPL's inception in 1992. They surpassed the 19 losses recorded in the 1993-1994 and 2003-2004 seasons.

Tottenham is focusing on winning the UEFA Europa League (UEL) rather than the EPL. They have reached the finals, where they will compete for the trophy against Manchester United on the 22nd. The league is effectively taking a back seat.

Tottenham deployed a 4-3-3 formation. They activated rotation. Tal, Kulusevski, and Odober were tasked with leading the attack. In midfield, Sar, Bentancur, and Gray were positioned. The defense was made up of Spence, Davies, Danso, and Porro. The goalkeeper was Kinski.

Palace faced off with a 3-4-2-1 formation. Mateta was positioned at the forefront. In the second line, Sar and Eze were deployed. In the third line, Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, and Mitchell were present. The defense consisted of Lachaz, Lacroix, and Gehi. The goalkeeper was Henderson.

Palace was the first to slice through Tottenham's net. In the 8th minute of the first half, Sar met a cross from the side and directed the ball inside Tottenham's net, but it was ruled offside and the goal did not count. Palace was disappointed, while Tottenham sighed in relief.

Tottenham also moved diligently. In the 12th minute of the first half, Kulusevski carried the ball into the Palace box from the right side and attempted a shot while looking to the opposite side. However, the defense was a step ahead and cleared the ball.

Tottenham was quick to use a substitution card. In the 15th minute of the first half, Kulusevski fell to the ground after an opponent's tackle. He lay on the ground for a while, sent a signal that he was 'okay,' and seemed ready to continue playing, but after four minutes, he was ultimately substituted for Moore.

Palace missed an opportunity for the first goal. In the 24th minute of the first half, during a corner kick, Mateta connected a short header pass from a teammate into a bullet shot. But it was thwarted by a super save. Three minutes later, Munoz dribbled intensely into the box during a counterattack and attempted a powerful shot. It hit the crossbar.

Tottenham's attack lacked power. Palace continued to rattle Tottenham. In the 41st minute of the first half, Eze launched a sublime long-range shot. This was deflected off Tottenham's Danso and led to a Palace corner kick.

The corner kick shook Tottenham's net, but a handball by Gehi prevented the goal from being counted.

Palace finally scored the opening goal in the 45th minute of the first half. Tottenham's defense was pierced by just two passes. Eze, rushing into the goal from the left side, calmly converted a low, fast pass coming from the opposite side into a shot, achieving the score.

The first half ended with Palace leading 1-0.

Tottenham substituted Bentancur for Bissouma right at the start of the second half.

Palace scored an additional goal two minutes into the second half. Once again, the scorer was Eze. With just one lateral pass, the Tottenham defense was completely broken, and he recorded another goal with a shot inside the box.

Trailing 0-2, Tottenham brought in the returning Son Heung-min in the 13th minute of the second half. Porro was substituted out. Tottenham fans welcomed Son with applause, and the sound of clapping was loud enough to pierce through the broadcast.

Palace was aiming for a decisive goal. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Sar nodded a cross coming from the left side. It hit the crossbar.

Tottenham was also looking for gaps in Palace's defense. In the 25th minute of the second half, Son attempted a surprise shot while looking to the opposite side from the left side of the box. It was deflected off a defender. Before that, an offside was called. In the 28th minute, he took a free kick, but again it was blocked by the defense and did not connect to a goal.

Son Heung-min struggled. In the 44th minute of the second half, he received a through pass and shot from the left side of the box, but once again, it was blocked by the defense.

After that, Tottenham failed to create any significant attacking scenes.

The match ended with Tottenham losing 0-2.

Manager Ange Postecoglou noted in an interview with Sky Sports, "It was a disappointing match. We could not bring the flow. We did not lead even for a moment. The problem is that we cannot respond properly when the opponent makes many changes."

Regarding Kulusevski, who was substituted out due to injury early in the first half, he said, "He should be okay."

Finally, he publicly blamed the players, saying, "It's disappointing. We are far from the level we want. Many changes have been made, but the players who have been given the opportunity are not responding."

The positive note is that Son Heung-min, who had been out due to injury, reported his return in the match against Palace.

Son Heung-min had been sidelined for 7 consecutive games prior to this match due to a foot injury sustained in the second leg of the UEL quarterfinal against Frankfurt on the 11th of last month. He also did not play in the second leg of the UEL semifinals against Bodø/Glimt on the 9th.

Having been away from the pitch for a while, Son Heung-min was substituted in when the team was trailing 0-2 against Palace.

In the 25th minute of the second half, Son attempted a surprise shot from the left side of the box while looking to the opposite side. It was deflected off a defender. Before that, an offside was called. In the 28th minute, he took a free kick, but again it was blocked by the defense and did not connect to a goal.

Son Heung-min continued to struggle. In the 44th minute of the second half, he received a through pass and shot from the left side of the box. Again, it was blocked by the defense.

According to the European football statistics site "Footmob," Son Heung-min recorded 11 touches of the ball over 32 minutes (excluding stoppage time), with 1 shot, a pass success rate of 86% (6 successes out of 7 attempts), 4 touches inside the opponent's box, 2 passes in the attacking area, a long pass success rate of 100% (1 success out of 1 attempt), 1 defensive action, 0 chances created, a crossing success rate of 0% (0 successes out of 1 attempt), and 2 ball losses.

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