Crystal Palace star felt distracted by Tottenham’s new stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur marked the official opening of their new stadium with fireworks and an opening ceremony.
The ceremony included an opera singer, with Tottenham and Crystal Palace players on the pitch watching on.
Crystal Palace defender James Tomkins said he found the scenario bizarre.
He told the Palace official website that he did not find it helpful, although he was pleased with how the Eagles begun the game.
Tomkins said: “At the start it’s not ideal with the ceremony, that goes on and you’re standing there for quite a while.
“It’s quite surreal compared to what you’re used to but the atmosphere was always going to be great and we kept them quiet, that was the main thing: coming here and keeping that crowd quiet for as long as we could. We did that but couldn’t quite get the win.”
Palace held Spurs goalless at half time but could not keep Tottenham out.
Heung Min Son and Christian Eriksen were both on target in Tottenham’s victory.
Palace are in 13th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone. They visit Newcastle on Saturday, who are one point below the Eagles.
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