Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou admitted that his team “is nowhere near the level we should be” after a 2-0 home loss for Crystal Palace.
Spurs are now 17th in the Premier League after Sunday's defeat, even though they have made the Europa League final.
Postecoglou brought eight changes from the side that achieved a place in the Bilbao pruning piece by overcoming Bodo/Glimt, but Spurs were clearly the second best against a palace side that could easily have added more to their count.
Ebereechi Eze scored a brace, while the visitors also had two goals not to be allowed in the early stages.
Spurs have lost 20 times in the competition, while they have sustained 24 defeats in all competitions, and only lost more games in a single season in their history in 1991-92 (25 defeats).
And Postecoglou did not defend the listless display on his side.
“I am disappointed,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.
“It is clear that we are nowhere close to the level that we have to be.
“It was disappointing, we never really got into play and we didn't check it at any time.”
Ange on today's defeat pic.twitter.com/9ubfsmckgp
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) 11 May 2025
Postecoglou has consistently turned his side in the competition to be able to handle their European excursions, and he believes that this has contributed to no victories in their last five top matches.
He said, “The problem is several changes, we don't respond well to that.”
The miserable day of Spurs was exacerbated by Dejan Kulusevski who was injured after only 20 minutes, but Postecoglou is convinced that the Swede will be fit for the Europa League final.
“He should be good,” said Postecoglou.
“I just spoke to him. The medical team is not worried about him, it was just a knock.”
Head coach of Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner, said that the performance, for his part, was a great way to prepare for the FA Cup final next week.
The men of Glasner will try to win the club's first big trophy when they take on Manchester City in Wembley.
He said Sky Sports: “We have made so many situations and then you need those players in the box to score the goals.
“I am really happy with the implementation, it is a good preparation for the FA Cup final.”
Eze's goals proved the difference between the two parties, and he has now scored three consecutive league games for the first time in his career, where Glasner was happy that the English international is flowering for the final.
“It's good to have him in good condition,” said Glasner. “He scored some great goals. Today there were two empty net goals. It is good to have all our players in the best form during Crunch Time.”