Crystal Palace were reduced to 10 men against Tottenham on Saturday after Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off for a late challenge on Micky van de Ven.
Mateta, making a rare start following an injury-hit beginning to the campaign, slid in while attempting to win the ball. His studs caught Van de Ven on the Achilles, leaving the Tottenham defender in pain on the ground and prompting concern among the home supporters.
Referee Michael Oliver initially showed Mateta a yellow card. However, after being advised by the video assistant referee to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, Oliver upgraded the punishment to a straight red.
Palace were not forced into an early first-half change and instead continued without a recognised striker in their 3-4-2-1 formation. The dismissal left Pierre Sage’s side facing a difficult task as they looked for a much-needed result in north London.
Sage is under increasing pressure, with Palace arriving in the Premier League relegation zone. The Eagles’ last victory came in a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, managed by former Palace boss Oliver Glasner, earlier in the month. Since then, Palace have suffered a 5-0 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion and a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United.
