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Spurs seek momentum after historic Stamford Bridge triumph

Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looking to build on consecutive Premier League victories. Roberto De Zerbi's side enter the London derby high on confidence following a rare and historic 3-0 triumph away against rivals Chelsea.

Palace arrive in 17th place under new manager Pierre Sage, struggling for form and goals in recent weeks.

Despite the recent high, De Zerbi insists his squad must stay grounded and hungry for more success.

De Zerbi demands relentless hunger from Tottenham squad

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi emphasized that two wins are merely a stepping stone rather than the final destination. "We have not achieved our goal. We want to make our fans happy, not now, at the end of the season," De Zerbi stated.

"Now we have to push, we have to stay focused, we have to increase the spirit, the appetite to win games in a row... The step of this club is to win games in a row and to be angry day by day, game by game, win by win. One time or two times are not enough."

De Zerbi praised the leadership group within the dressing room, including James Maddison, Pedro Porro, and Micky van de Ven, for keeping standards high.

Maddison available as De Zerbi praises Tel's development

De Zerbi confirmed that influential playmaker James Maddison has recovered sufficiently to feature against Palace despite managing his training load. "James is available. He is a special player for us, a special player because he has unique characteristics, different than everyone," De Zerbi noted.

The Italian manager also addressed Mathys Tel's progress following his standout goal against Chelsea. "I'm proud and happy, but first of all for him, because I love working for the players, to improve the players," De Zerbi explained.

"Mathys is working very hard. He's a smart guy. He has a big, big potential. His improvement, I think, is making the decision, the last decision."

Testing test awaits against Pierre Sage's Palace side

Reflecting on their upcoming opponents, De Zerbi expressed high respect for Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage and the challenges of competing across multiple competitions.

"I know very well Pierre Sage. He is a very good coach... It is not easy to play in three competitions, because they are playing in the Premier League, in the European League and in Carabao Cup," De Zerbi observed.

Tottenham will look to channel their recent momentum to secure another vital three points in front of home supporters.

A sports journalist with nearly a decade of experience, beginning the professional journey at Indonesia's legendary Tabloid BOLA from 2017 until its final print edition in December 2018. Following that, joining GOAL, contributing as a freelance writer for FIFA, and working within the media department of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). Alongside the journalism career, also active as a live play-by-play commentator for Indonesian football since 2017. Holds a bachelor's degree in History from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung.

Football Story

Footballing identity built on geography, heritage, and childhood obsession. Although the father played for a traditional rival club, nine years living in Bandung made Persib a spiritual home, sparked in 2006 by Thai goalkeeper Kosin Hathairattanakool and witnessing firsthand how deeply locals own the club. Globally, the first true love was Ronaldo and Inter Milan, enduring the heartbreak of near-misses during injury-plagued years. With Dutch roots in Rotterdam, making Feyenoord the club of choice, the Netherlands national team has always remained close to the heart, highlighted by the 2010 World Cup final, a live 2013 friendly against Indonesia, and Oranje Indonesia watch parties. Arjen Robben and Giovanni van Bronckhorst remain ultimate favorites, while Football Manager 2005 sparked a lasting admiration for Athletic Bilbao’s philosophy. Outside football, allegiance lies with the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors through icons like Michael Jordan, Derrick Rose, and Stephen Curry.

Areas of Expertise

Areas of expertise span Indonesian football and Liga 1 data insights and unique features, alongside Southeast Asian and East Asian football landscapes covering Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. Additional skills include digital and social media video content creation such as Instagram reels and podcasts, as well as player profiling, feature writing, live broadcasting, interviewing, photography, and multilingual communication in basic français and español .

Favourite Footballing Memory

Combining a passion for backpacking with professional assignments has made it possible to pursue two goals simultaneously. Meeting and interviewing various Indonesian players pursuing careers or currently based abroad, ranging from across Southeast Asia to Europe, has been an absolute privilege and honor. Traveling independently through the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Japan to track down and connect with Indonesian players competing abroad remains a truly cherished experience. Crafting interview content with them is a body of work that will always hold a special place in memory.

My All-Time XI

It’s tough to lock down a definitive starting XI, but the non-negotiables are Manuel Neuer or Rogério Ceni in goal; alongside Javier Zanetti, Sergio Ramos, N'Golo Kanté, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, Mo Salah, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Juan Román Riquelme or Michael Laudrup most likely complete the tactical puzzle. While legends like Lothar Matthäus, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldo are impossible to overlook, they were left out simply because they feature in everyone else's lineup.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Dejan Kulusevski has opened up about the mental and physical toll of his long-term injury nightmare, admitting he reached a point where he feared his professional career was over. The Sweden international missed the entire 2025-26 campaign after a collision on the final day of the previous season left his knee in ruins.

A devastating blow

The former Juventus forward sustained the severe problem during the final match of the 2024-25 season following a clash with Marc Guehi. Scans later revealed a piece of his cartilage had completely detached and moved within the joint, an issue medical professionals could not simply repair.

Following a gruelling rehabilitation period, the attacker has only recently made his competitive return. He managed to step back onto the pitch for brief cameo appearances against both Coventry and Chelsea, marking the end of a gruelling 526 days stint on the sidelines.

Confessing to his mother

Speaking to Tottenham's official website, Kulusevski detailed the immediate aftermath of the initial impact. Despite feeling early discomfort, the true severity of the situation took time to sink in.

"I remember the game, it felt a great warm-up, and then I remember the hit after 10 minutes," he recalled. "It was pain but it didn’t hurt that much, it has been much worse. I could feel that the knee was moving a little bit too much. I broke my cartilage, and the cartilage flew out and went to another part of the knee, and they can’t fix cartilage so in the scan they could see that a part of my cartilage was gone."

The physical damage soon gave way to mental anguish. This led to a heartbreaking conversation with his family where he admitted defeat.

"I told my mother, I sat with her and I told her, ’Listen, I don’t think this is going to work out’," Kulusevski admitted. "I had to prepare her, ’I don’t think I can play anymore’."

Missing out on European glory

The winger's lengthy absence meant he was sidelined for one of the most significant moments in Tottenham's modern history. Spurs ended their lengthy wait for silverware by defeating Manchester United in the 2025 Europa League final, but Kulusevski found the celebrations incredibly challenging to navigate.

"That was one of the hardest days in my life, I think," he explained. "It was so beautiful to see all the people happy, but it was very difficult for me, going there with crutches, can’t walk. I couldn’t even take my medal because it was too slippery to go on that thing [the podium].

"Things like this was not nice but I accepted it and I came back to Barcelona and I had to stay there because I couldn’t travel with the flight back so seeing the team celebrating on the bus, that was probably the most difficult part of all this journey, because you feel so alone in this time."

Building momentum against Crystal Palace

Having successfully navigated his first tentative steps back onto the pitch, Kulusevski will look to increase his match sharpness in the coming weeks. Tottenham are targeting a third consecutive victory when they face Crystal Palace this weekend, providing the ideal platform for the winger to integrate further into the first team and put his injury nightmare firmly behind him.

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Premier League Preview

Spurs host Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 31 October at 13:30 EST and 17:30 GMT.

Spurs on a high after a historic win over Chelsea

Tottenham find themselves in the unfamiliar position of having won two Premier League matches on the bounce. They beat Coventry 3-1, which included a stunner from the returning James Maddison, and then they picked up an extremely rare win at Stamford Bridge against rivals Chelsea, only their second EPL triumph there in 37 attempts.

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Eagles aren't soaring in the slightest

Spurs' London rivals Crystal Palace are battling under new boss Pierre Sage, with only seven points from their first eight matches. It's a tally that leaves them hovering dangerously in 17th place in the Premier League. Their current form is dire, with two defeats and no goals in their last two matches, and seven goals conceded. They'll hope, in this instance, to replicate their recent form at Tottenham's home, where they've won their last two EPL visits.

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Key stats & injury news

Palace have won three of their last five meetings with Spurs.

None of the last 11 meetings between these sides has ended level.

Palace have conceded 50 Premier League goals this calendar year, four more than any other side.

Likely XIs

Spurs (4231): Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van De Ven, Robertson; Fernandes, Tonali; Kudus, Maddison, Tel; Marmoush.

Palace (3421): Benitez; Richards, Disasi, Canvot; Khalaili, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; McNeil, Pino; Mateta.

Team news & squads

Form

Head-to-Head Record

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has paid a glowing tribute to ex-Spurs colleague Harry Kane after the Bayern Munich striker lifted the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London on Monday night. Having shared a dressing room for a decade in north London, the French veteran praised the England captain's complete game and grounded personality.

World Cup winner salutes striker

Lloris was thrilled to watch his long-time attacking partner claim football's top individual prize alongside the Gerd Muller Trophy at the London Palladium on October 26. Now 33, the Englishman beat Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to become his country's first winner in 25 years. That accolade followed a 73-goal campaign, a Bundesliga title and a World Cup third-place finish with England.

Decade together forged lasting respect

After Kane rose through the Spurs ranks in 2009 and completed several loan spells, he became a permanent first-team colleague of Lloris - who arrived in August 2012 - from mid-2013 until joining Bayern in August 2023. The 39-year-old shot-stopper subsequently moved to Los Angeles FC in December 2023.

Speaking to L'Equipe, the former France captain lauded his ex-colleague's all-round development: "I'm happy for him. It's great to see a former team-mate win the Ballon d'Or, at home in London. He has an extraordinarily complete skill set, which he has honed season after season. Today, he can do everything: short passes, long passes, tackling, tracking back to defend, and he is undoubtedly the best player in the penalty area."

Selfless attitude sets forward apart

Unlike many elite stars, the striker never courted media campaigns to boost his credentials, a trait that impressed Lloris deeply as he compared him to previous winners Ousmane Dembele and Karim Benzema.

Reflecting on the forward's character and team ethic, Lloris added: "He doesn't chase the limelight. He owes this Ballon d'Or to his sheer professionalism and humility. He is a role model in our sport.

"Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or previously rewarded a team-first player, just like Karim Benzema in 2022. Harry is far more than just a goalscoring machine."

Domestic cup precedes Klassiker showdown

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Clive Allen has offered to mentor Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane if the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner pursues a second sporting career in the NFL. The England captain has long admired American football and remains open to trying his hand as a placekicker once he eventually hangs up his boots.

Former Spurs striker offers guidance

Allen is well qualified to guide the 33-year-old marksman into gridiron having previously played as a placekicker for NFL Europe side London Monarchs. Kane recently became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to lift the Ballon d'Or after scoring 73 goals in 65 outings for Bayern and England across the 2025-26 season. He has also won two Bundesliga crowns and a German Cup in Munich.

England captain eyes gridiron switch

Although Kane has shattered numerous scoring records in Germany, he has never hidden his passion for American football. Addressing his future plans previously, Kane said: "It all depends on what happens in my career over the next five or six years, the motivation and what I want to do. The NFL is a lot more realistic, let's put it that way."

Asked about the Bayern star's prospects of making the switch, Allen told talkSPORT: "There's talk of it. I'll be happy to help him with that. I'm sure, the one thing I know he's got, he's got the leg to do it, that's for sure.

"And you have to have a really strong kicking leg and he will have the mentality to deal with it as well. So, yeah, that would be fun to see him try that."

Jaguars kicker highlights mental challenge

While Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little believes the forward possesses the required leg power and technique, he warned that adjusting culturally to life on the sidelines would be difficult.

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Speaking to The Associated Press, Little said: "It's just so different, sitting there on the sidelines the whole game. You're not going to get on the ball, and you don't have the same moxie, I guess, because he is a star striker for the team. So that moxie is just kind of put to the side. You've got to let everyone else do the big man's job, and then you're out there just to back everyone up basically.

"He's probably talented enough to do it. His technique in soccer is so good. But it's just such a different mental, I'd say, challenge than soccer. It'd be like him taking five set pieces a day. And he's got to deliver on all five set pieces, or you didn't do your job for the day."

Contract extension delays American dream

Any potential move across the Atlantic remains several years away after Kane recently agreed a contract extension tying him to Bayern until 2029. When the England skipper eventually calls time on his European career, he will look to follow the blueprint of Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey. The American successfully transitioned to the NFL after starting out in Major League Soccer and the USL.

Spanish heavyweights Barcelona have revived their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall after the youngster struggled to command regular minutes in north London this season. Despite the 20-year-old Sweden international penning a fresh five-year extension only last month, top clubs across Europe are closely monitoring his situation.

Catalan giants revive previous pursuit

According to TEAMtalk, the Blaugrana are assessing the Scandinavian playmaker again after watching his game time dip under head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Following the summer arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, the midfielder has logged just 144 Premier League minutes across two starts and two substitute outings alongside two Carabao Cup appearances. That lack of action has alerted several European suitors despite his new deal running until 2031.

Technical profile suits Camp Nou

Barcelona previously tracked the midfielder closely during his spell at Swedish side Djurgarden back in 2024 before losing the race for his signature to Tottenham.

The report notes that Camp Nou recruitment chiefs still admire his athleticism, technical ability, and versatility across multiple central roles.

Club officials view the youngster as a long-term addition capable of developing into an important player alongside established young midfielders Pedri, Gavi, and Marc Bernal, though breaking into that engine room would present fierce competition.

Italian heavyweights consider winter approaches

The same outlet reveals that Serie A outfits Napoli and Juventus are also keeping close tabs on developments in the English capital.

Related Topics

Napoli have added the Swede to their shortlist as they prepare for potential midfield changes, with sources indicating that moving to southern Italy would offer him a clearer pathway to regular starts than switching to Catalonia.

Meanwhile, the publication states that Juventus have shown the strongest immediate interest by targeting a six-month loan in January to ease their midfield injury crisis, although Spurs hold all the cards and currently have no desire to sanction a temporary exit.

Upcoming fixtures determine winter plans

Jamie Carragher has offered a blunt assessment of Harry Kane’s historic Ballon d’Or victory, suggesting the striker would have remained empty-handed had he stayed at Tottenham. The former Liverpool defender believes the England captain’s move to Germany was the essential catalyst for his individual recognition on the world stage.

A historic victory for England

Kane has officially been crowned the best player on the planet, securing the 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of superstars Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. The 33-year-old’s triumph follows a truly remarkable campaign where he found the net 73 times for both club and country, cementing his status as a modern-day icon.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher was quick to praise the forward for his incredible achievement. "Absolutely delighted. What a career he's had, what a player he is, and as a country, we haven't got enough Ballon d'Or winners," the pundit told Sky Sports. Carragher noted the long wait for an English winner, referencing his former team-mate Owen, while also predicting that Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham could be the next in line to follow in Kane’s footsteps as one of the "greatest players of their era."

The Bayern Munich factor

While the football world celebrates Kane's individual glory, the discussion has naturally turned to his departure from North London in 2023. Since swapping the Premier League for the Bundesliga, the striker has enjoyed an unprecedented run of form, scoring an astonishing 156 goals in just 159 appearances for the Bavarian giants.

This level of output, combined with Bayern's constant presence in the latter stages of European competitions, provided the platform Kane needed to finally convince the Ballon d'Or voters. Many had previously questioned his decision to walk away from Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record, but those doubts have now been silenced by his status as a world number one.

"I thought he might be obsessed with the Premier League goalscoring record, but he's obsessed with goalscoring records, not just that one," Carragher explained. The pundit argued that playing for a European powerhouse offered the forward the visibility required to win major individual honours. According to Carragher on Kane's Ballon d'Or win, it was a move that the striker simply needed to make to be taken seriously at this level.

No hope at Tottenham

The most biting part of Carragher’s analysis focused on Kane’s former club, Tottenham Hotspur. Despite being the club’s all-time leading scorer and a Premier League legend, Kane never won a major trophy during his lengthy stint in N17. Carragher was adamant that even with the same individual statistics, the lack of collective silverware and Champions League pedigree at Spurs would have prevented Kane from ever winning the Golden Ball.

"But it also gives him a great chance of winning the Champions League and being involved in Ballon d'Or selections," Carragher added, before delivering his final verdict on the Spurs connection. "There's no way Harry Kane could've won the Ballon d'Or if he was playing for Tottenham."

Why Palmer will miss Liverpool clash

Palmer, 24, earned the first sending-off of his professional career after picking up two yellow cards in nine second-half minutes against Spurs. According to the Liverpool Echo, suspensions resulting from a red card in the Premier League carry over into domestic cup competitions.

As a result, Palmer will serve a one-match ban and miss Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool at Anfield. Palmer was dismissed by referee Chris Kavanagh after first bundling into Mateus Fernandes, triggering a flashpoint, before leaving his studs on former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Neville blasts Palmer for losing his head

Kavanagh faced a straightforward decision to brandish a second yellow card in the 80th minute, having already booked Palmer for his involvement in the earlier scuffle with Fernandes. Speaking on Sky Sports, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville insisted that Palmer only had himself to blame after losing his composure late in the London derby.

"He's spot on the referee, Cole Palmer has lost his head in the last 10 minutes," Neville said. "That one is [a] no-brainer. That's just a silly challenge, he knows exactly what he's doing. Not a good challenge, naughty, really naughty."

Alonso reacts to disappointing derby defeat

Alonso claimed he did not see Palmer's fouls from the touchline, but admitted Chelsea fell well short of expectations after Mike Penders' own goal and Mathys Tel's late strike sealed Tottenham's victory. "We are all disappointed with the result, with the performance collectively and individually we were not at our best level," Alonso said.

"It was about the first goal and it went their way and with 10 men it was difficult but we can do better. Chances were the main thing, they had few and we had few. We spoke at half-time [that] we had to be patient and be mature. We can do better. We wanted to have this fluidity in the middle. We wanted the pockets filled with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. There were situations but overall we have to do better."

What next for Palmer and Chelsea?

While Alonso must now find a way to navigate Wednesday's Carabao Cup trip to his former club Liverpool without Palmer, his absence will be brief.

Because the one-match suspension applies across all domestic competitions, Palmer will clear his ban midweek and return to availability when Chelsea face Manchester United in the Premier League next week.

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