Igor Tudor insists troubled Tottenham Hotspur will avoid relegation from the Premier League despite their damaging 3–1 defeat against Crystal Palace on Thursday.

Tudor’s side squandered a first-half lead provided by Dominic Solanke as Palace struck three times in a devastating 12-minute spell before the interval in north London.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven was sent off after committing a professional foul on Ismaïla Sarr, who calmly converted the resulting penalty.

Jørgen Strand Larsen then added Palace’s second before Sarr grabbed his second of the night, leaving the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium increasingly hostile.

Now languishing in 16th place, Spurs sit just one point above the relegation zone after third-bottom West Ham United boosted their survival hopes with a win over Fulham on Wednesday.

With just one victory in their last 13 home league games, Tottenham are facing the real prospect of playing in the second tier for the first time since the 1977–78 season.

Tudor, who took charge on an interim basis after the dismissal of Thomas Frank, has already faced calls for his sacking after losing his first three matches in charge.

However, the Croatian believes his side’s second-half effort against Palace showed enough fight to suggest they can still escape the drop.

“It was two games. After the red card, it was a second game,” Tudor said.

“The second half we tried and I saw interesting things but I’m very disappointed like the fans.

“We need to work hard and believe. After this game, I believe more than I did before. I know that sounds strange but I saw something in the team.

“Even in the dressing room after the game. When we are complete and choose the right guys, I believe it will be good.”

Tottenham’s defensive struggles have been stark. The club has conceded two or more goals in nine successive league matches for the first time in its history.

They have also lost five straight league games and are without a win in 11 top-flight matches — their worst run since 1975.

Despite those alarming statistics, Tudor attempted to highlight small positives from the defeat.

“I saw some good energy, some more passion. The fight was there,” he said.

“There are nine games to play. Cristian Romero is coming back, Kevin Danso was good, maybe others will come back. We will be good when we are complete.”

Van de Ven’s red card proved to be the turning point, with his desperate foul on Sarr epitomising the anxiety surrounding the club.

When Tudor first arrived at Tottenham he confidently declared they were “100% certain” to avoid relegation, but defeats against Arsenal, Fulham and Palace have made that claim look increasingly optimistic.

Asked if the nature of the dismissal suggested his players were struggling to handle the pressure, Tudor dismissed the suggestion.

“We need to stop talking about pressure. This is not a topic to speak about. I will not speak any more about pressure,” he said.

Tottenham have spent just one season outside England’s top flight since 1950 and now have nine matches left to prevent a shock relegation.

Their survival battle continues with a trip to Liverpool on March 15 before a crucial clash against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

After the defeat to Palace, Solanke revealed the squad held an honest dressing-room discussion about their situation.

“We’ve just had a big conversation. We know the position we are in is definitely not where we want to be, so we need to figure out how we are going to get out of it as soon as possible,” he said.

“We know there’s been difficulties, but we’re not in a position to make any excuses anymore. We need to do the job on the pitch.

“It is easy to say we want to be better but we want to be better on the pitch. We need to fight and realise the position we are in.”

Despite the growing pressure, Tudor insisted he remains focused on the task ahead rather than speculation about his future.

“I don’t think in that direction. I have my job to do. Still nine games to play,” he said.

“The message I said to the players is not public. I know it is not easy. It is a moment but it will pass.”