In the ever-unpredictable world of football, Tottenham’s temporary head coach is facing mounting pressure after just three matches at the helm. The team’s performance has seemingly deteriorated, adding to the club’s woes.

Across these three games, Tottenham has suffered three consecutive losses, conceding nine goals in the process. Following defeats to their northern and western London rivals, Crystal Palace dealt another blow, pushing Spurs closer to the relegation zone.

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace capitalized on Tottenham’s disarray, securing a victory without needing to exert much effort. For Spurs, it was an unfortunate display of self-sabotage right on their home turf.

The match initially saw Tottenham take the lead when Dominic Solanke scored from an Archie Gray cross, sparking euphoric celebrations among fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, the jubilation was short-lived. Just four minutes later, Micky van de Ven received a red card for a foul on Ismaila Sarr, who was advancing towards the goal. Sarr successfully converted the penalty, and a palpable sense of panic ensued among the Spurs players.

Tottenham’s season continues to worsen after a 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace on Thursday

Igor Tudor’s tenure has seen Spurs lose all three of his games and look even more shambolic

Micky van de Ven (centre) was sent off in the first half for Spurs this foul on Ismaila Sarr

Interim manager Igor Tudor watched from the sidelines, his expression betraying a mix of disbelief and concern. The situation he inherited appears daunting, and halting the team’s downward trajectory seems increasingly challenging.

The question is, is there anyone who can? Harry Redknapp to the rescue? The timing might not be quite right with the Cheltenham Festival about to start.

This is a fifth-successive defeat for Spurs and the winless run extends to 11 in the Premier League. They have four points from a possible 33 and now teeter one point above the dotted relegation line with nine to play they are next at Liverpool after a Champions League tie at Atletico Madrid.

For those 20 minutes before half-time, Palace toyed with Spurs. Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada dominated the midfield. Those in white shirts seemed to freeze. Petrified. Think England against Iceland and the paralysis of fear.

Mathys Tel, who had started the game well, played a loose pass to Pape Matar Sarr, enabling Evan Guessand to step in and win the ball. Guessand moved it quickly to Wharton, who threaded it into the feet of Jorgen Strand Larsen, and he scored.

Spurs needed the interval at this point, but Palace struck again as eight minutes was added on. Again, it was a goal of staggering simplicity against a flimsy back three of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso and Joao Palhinha.

Wharton with the pass, Palace’s Sarr scored his second. It would have been a first half hat trick but for a marginal offside call when the contest was goalless.

Sarr had sped onto a Guessand pass and his low shot from an angle spun high off Porro as he made a desperate attempt a block, over stranded goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and dropped inside the far post.

Dominic Solanke (centre) put Spurs ahead on 34 minutes with this close-range finish

However, by end of the first half Palace were 3-1 in front with Sarr scoring twice 

There was a long VAR stoppage as Palace fans sang, ‘It’s not football anymore’ and it was hard to disagree when referee Andy Madley ruled out the goal, and an image came up on the big screen.

Both Sarr’s feet were behind the ball, but he was leaning forward and his forehead had broken the animated offside line.

It seemed like an escape when Gray and Solanke, two players who did come out with a modicum of credit, combined to score, but then came Van de Ven’s red card, similar to the one shown to Palace’s Maxence Lacroix at Manchester United on Sunday, and it proved the catalyst for the great unravelling.

As the half-time whistle sounded there were few Spurs fans left in their seats. Some did not return. Those who remained booed the players down the tunnel. Some vented their anger at chief executive Vinai Venkatesham in the directors’ box.

Tudor had come into the game wielding his axe again. There were four changes to the team he accused of ‘lacking’ in all areas at Fulham on Sunday. There was another change of shape, too. Out with the 4-4-2 and back in with the back three.

But the anxiety of the occasion, heightened by Wednesday’s results when West Ham and Nottingham Forest reeled Spurs closer to the bottom three, bled into the football. The first half hour was terribly disjointed albeit with Palace on top. Wharton tested Vicario within a minute.

Souza, making his first start since signing from Santos in January, suffered a torrid first 10 minutes until his awful late tackle left Daniel Munoz in a heap with an injured shoulder.

Spurs were more competitive in the second half. Tudor it seemed had got some sort of message through to them. At least they fought and restored some pride but Palace’s depleted and inexperienced back three resisted.

Dean Henderson stood firm made a fine save from Solanke when a goal would have recharged the home crowd.

As it was, the fans in the away end were the only ones having fun. Spurs fans left dreading the worst.