Thomas Frank delivers a brief and direct eleven-word injury update on Lucas Bergvall at Tottenham
Lucas Bergvall suffered a nervous moment on Sunday night after being forced to come off during the second half of Tottenham Hotspur’s slim win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Spurs brought their 2025 calendar year to a positive close with a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League victory, ending a brief run of poor results. Although the display was far from flawless, the three points were crucial in keeping Tottenham within reach of the European spots.
Crystal Palace started brightly, pressing aggressively and causing early problems for the visitors. Tottenham briefly thought they had taken the lead in the 17th minute when Richarlison finished from close range, but the joy was short-lived. Bergvall was judged to be offside in the build-up, and the goal was disallowed after a quick check.
Rather than losing momentum, Spurs slowly grew into the game. Against the flow of play, they grabbed the decisive goal just before half-time. Pedro Porro’s corner created chaos in the Palace area, with Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison both involved as the ball stayed alive. It eventually fell to Archie Gray, who calmly nodded home in the 42nd minute to claim his first senior goal.
Palace emerged for the second half with increased intensity, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Tottenham largely dropped deeper to protect their lead but came close to extending it midway through the half. Once again, Richarlison put the ball in the net, only for VAR to rule him offside for the second time in the match.
Late pressure from the hosts tested Spurs’ resolve, but the defence stood firm. Despite a series of late attacks, Tottenham remained organised and resilient, holding on to secure all three points.
Thomas Frank provides Bergvall injury update
Despite the win, there was concern among Spurs fans when Bergvall was forced off in the 63rd minute. Starting in the No.10 role due to Xavi Simons’ suspension, the Swedish midfielder appeared to pick up a groin problem.
Bergvall showed glimpses of quality with tidy touches and smart distribution, though he found it difficult to consistently influence proceedings in advanced areas. His substitution immediately raised doubts over his availability for Tottenham’s next match.
After the game, head coach Thomas Frank was asked about Bergvall’s condition ahead of the New Year’s Eve clash with Brentford. The Dane struck a cautious but hopeful tone, saying: “Yes, I hope so. Of course, we will assess him tomorrow.”
Frank’s comments will ease some concerns, though Bergvall’s fitness will continue to be monitored closely. While any injury is a worry, the fact that he was able to leave the pitch with the help of a physio suggests the issue may not be serious.
The victory moved Tottenham up to 11th in the Premier League standings and left them just four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, keeping hopes of a late surge alive. However, squad depth remains an issue during the busy festive period.
Xavi Simons is set to miss two more league games following his red card against Liverpool, and if Bergvall is unavailable, Frank may need to reshuffle again when Spurs travel to Brentford. Supporters will be eager to see the teenager recover quickly and be fit for Tottenham’s first match of 2026 at the Gtech Community Stadium.