Tottenham Hotspur

Crystal Palace vs Spurs | Every word of Thomas Frank's pre-match press conference  Tottenham Hotspur

The return of our annual holiday season feature where we speak to players who’ve joined us over the last 12 months to hear about their festive traditions and memories...

Mathys Tel

Born: Sarcelles, France

Joined Spurs: February, 2025, from Bayern Munich

What are your Christmas traditions at home?

“On 24 December we have dinner all together and wait for 12am, then we open our gifts and celebrate. Every family has their own way to celebrate but this is our tradition, to wait up until midnight and then open our gifts at that time.”

What’s a traditional Christmas dinner for you?

“In my family it’s food from Guadeloupe, so we have rice, beef, chicken and Colombo, which is like a mix of stew and curry. It’s very popular! My mother usually cooks and so does my grandmother.”

What was your most memorable Christmas gift as a child?

“It was actually a trip. My family organised for us to travel to Guadeloupe for the first time to see my grandmother. I was about six years old and that was the best gift I had, ever! I was very happy to see all my family – it was top.”

Antonin Kinsky

Born: Prague, Czech Republic

Joined Spurs: January, 2025, from Slavia Prague

What are your Christmas traditions at home?

“We celebrate in the evening of 24 December. During the day, we usually spend time with the family, go for a walk, have a good lunch together and then watch something old on the TV. There’s a film called ‘Pelíšky’ (Cosy Dens for English-speakers) that’s related to Czech history. It’s kind of a tradition – they always put it on in the evenings and we always watch it! On 25 December, everything is closed so you just spend a chilled day at home.”

What’s a traditional Christmas dinner for you?

“We have potato salad with vegetables and some chicken breast. People also combine it with fish and a kind of soup.”

What was your most memorable Christmas gift as a child?

“Our Christmases were always so nice so it’s not easy to choose, but if I had to pick one thing, it was a signed Manuel Neuer kit from Bayern Munich. I was young and it was a big thing for me. I remember I even played games in it – maybe in the Under-11s or something. I wore it everywhere!”

Olivia Holdt

Born: Ikast, Denmark

Joined Spurs: January, 2025, from FC Rosengård

What are your Christmas traditions at home?

“It’s normally in the evening of 24 December. Each family has their own specific way of celebrating but in my family, we like to go out for winter baths in the morning where you jump in the cold water, we then go home, get ready and then we go to the church. We meet with family to celebrate in the evening with good food, dancing and singing around the tree. That’s when we exchange our gifts.”

What’s a traditional Christmas dinner for you?

“We have Flæskesteg, which is like roast pork. We’ll often have it with potatoes, sometimes a bit of brown sauce and some crispy food on the side.”

What was your most memorable Christmas gift as a child?

“Some years ago I got a nice handbag but I also remember receiving a pair of football boots when I was younger, maybe 13. They were the best!”

Kota Takai

Born: Yokohama, Japan

Joined Spurs: July, 2025, from Kawasaki Frontale

What are your Christmas traditions at home?

“When you compare it to the UK, in this country it’s more like a family celebration but I would say in Japan it’s more of a couples’ thing. We exchange gifts on 25 December and sometimes go out to the town to walk under the Christmas illuminations.”

What’s a traditional Christmas dinner for you?

“Kentucky Fried Chicken! You might not believe it here, but it’s been a tradition in Japan since maybe the 1970s. Things from America began to come to Japan and people enjoyed having buckets of fried chicken to party. The mascot (Colonel Sanders) is also dressed in red clothes to look like Santa Claus!”

What was your most memorable Christmas gift as a child?

“When I was about 12 years old, I got my favourite comic book, Slam Dunk. It’s about basketball and it was a massive thing at the time.”

João Palhinha

Born: Lisbon, Portugal

Joined Spurs: August, 2025, from Bayern Munich

What are your Christmas traditions at home?

“It’s pretty normal, like here in the UK – we spend our time with the family. At midnight on 24 December we open our gifts, but the most important thing is to celebrate at dinner with all the family, including some people that we don’t see as often as we’d wish during the year.”

What’s a traditional Christmas dinner for you?

“Usually we have bacalhao, which is like dried cod. It’s very popular with everyone and it’s probably my favourite meal at Christmas.”

What was your most memorable Christmas gift as a child?

“I remember a football that I received – probably my favourite of all time. It was a brown one from the 2002 World Cup. I was seven years old at the time – I loved it! The best gift for me now, to be fair, is to have the family together. It doesn’t matter about material things in this moment because Christmas is all about family and love.”

Cathinka Tandberg

Born: Oslo, Norway

Joined Spurs: September, 2025, from Hammarby IF

What are your Christmas traditions at home?

“The main difference compared to here is that we open our gifts after dinner on Christmas Eve. We have dinner together at about 6pm but we have to wait the whole day until late at night to open our presents, then 25 December is just a chilled day. When I was younger there was a lot of snow around, but we don’t have it so much now.”

What’s a traditional Christmas dinner for you?

“Ribbe – it’s like a roasted pork belly. It’s very popular at Christmas in Norway.”

What was your most memorable Christmas gift as a child?

“I received tickets for a Tottenham game from my dad, which was nice. It was a European game against Besiktas at the old White Hart Lane. Harry Kane scored and it was 1-1. I travelled over with my dad and my brother – we came to London just for the game, but we went shopping as well!”

Xavi Simons

Born: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Joined Spurs: August, 2025, from RB Leipzig

What are your Christmas traditions at home?

“The most important thing is to be together, to eat together and just enjoy the day. We normally gather on 24 December and then the next morning it’s all about the presents for the kids!”

What’s a traditional Christmas dinner for you?

“It’s a mix really because I have family roots in Suriname, so we eat a lot of Surinamese food for the main meal and then have more typical Dutch dessert. It’s a little bit of everything really, a lot of chicken, various meats, rice and spicy rice.”

What was your most memorable Christmas gift as a child?

“I would say the best gift I received was when I was very young – maybe only four or five years old – when my mum got me some football boots. They were amazing to receive!”

Pape Matar Sarr's Senegal got off to an ideal start at the Africa Cup of Nations as they defeated Botswana 3-0 in their group stage opener.

In Group D, Sarr's nation ran out 3-0 winners with a double from Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson before Cherif Ndiaye added a third late on in Tangier.

Pape was an unused substitute for his nation as they rose to the top of their group with the win, leapfrogging DR Congo, who had also won their opening game earlier in the day.

Next up for Pape's nation is a clash with DR Congo on Saturday (27 December) - 3pm (UK).

Thomas Frank loses Cuti Romero and Xavi Simons to suspension and doesn't expect any changes in squad availability in terms of fitness as we prepare to face Palace on Sunday (4.30pm UK).

Xavi and Cuti both received red cards in Saturday's 2-1 loss against Liverpool and will sit out the trip to Selhurst Park.

Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr are currently on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie remain sidelined. Better news saw Radu Dragusin back on the bench to face Liverpool after recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in January.

Asked about possible availability for Palace - five days away - at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Thomas replied: "It's the same before the Liverpool game- everyone available then will be available for Crystal Palace."

Asked for the latest on Deki and Dom, Thomas reiterated his message before Liverpool. "I'll be very happy when I can announce that they are part of the squad."

Matt Wells, our First Team Assistant Coach, has left the Club to take up the role of Head Coach at Colorado Rapids in MLS.

A former Academy player with deep roots at Spurs – he’s the grandson of Spurs royalty, double-winner Cliff Jones - Matt took up a role of our Under-18s coach in 2018 before departing a year later for a first team coaching role at Fulham.

He returned to the club to assist Interim Head Coach Ryan Mason in April, 2023 before joining Ange Postecoglou's coaching team at the start of the 2023/24 season. Matt then took up the role of Senior Assistant Coach when Chris Davies departed for Birmingham City at the start of last season and remained as First Team Assistant Coach on Thomas Frank's arrival in the summer.

Head Coach, Thomas Frank, said: “When Matt joined my staff I knew it was his dream to become a head coach, and while I would have loved to have kept him with us for longer, I would never stand in the way of him realising that dream.

“We are all delighted for Matt. He has contributed greatly to the Club over a long period of time. He’s an excellent coach, a great person and has a big future ahead of him. We wish him all the best.”

Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons will both miss Sunday's trip to Selhurst Park as they serve their respective suspensions.

Both Romero and Xavi were shown red cards last time out against Liverpool and now will be unavailable for selection when we visit Crystal Palace this weekend.

Captain Cuti will serve and complete a one-match suspension on Sunday after he was shown two yellow cards before being dismissed in the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Xavi, however, will begin a three-game suspension as he was sent off for what was deemed serious foul play in a coming together with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.

Romero will be eligible to return to action on New Year's Day when we head to Brentford in the league while Xavi will not be available until our trip to AFC Bournemouth on 7 January.

We make the journey to South London on Sunday to take on Crystal Palace, with kick-off at Selhurst Park set for 4.30pm.

Gates will be open from 2.30pm, with supporters reminded on the importance of an early arrival to allow suitable time for necessary security and ticketing checks.

Supporters should take note of the following travel information...

Getting to Selhurst Park

There is no parking available at the stadium, with the ground located within a residential area with strict parking restrictions and enforcement. Supporters are therefore advised to seek alternative arrangements.

The nearest railway stations to the ground are:

Norwood Junction (0.6 miles - 13 minute walk)

Selhurst (0.7 miles - 15 minute walk)

Thornton Heath (0.8 miles - 19 minute walk)

All three stations are served by stopping services from both London Victoria and London Bridge or East and West Croydon stations. Norwood Junction is also served by the London Overground service via Canada Water and fast services from London Bridge.

Train journey times vary, however, it is likely to take from 40-60 minutes to travel from central London, or 30 minutes if utilising a Southern train from London Bridge. Full details of station facilities train times and a journey planner can be found by visiting the National Rail website.

Regular services operate from all directions to the stadium, and supporters should head to the TfL website to plan their journey.

Entering the stadium

The visitors’ section is within the Arthur Wait Stand, located on Park Road.

There will be security present before visiting supporters enter the turnstiles. This can include the presence of dogs and police on hand to support stewarding teams.

Spurs stewards, access assistants and staff will also be on hand to assist.

Access

The hosts’ guidance for supporters with access requirements can be found here.

Supporters using rail services pre-match are advised that Selhurst and Thornton Heath stations have step-free access to all platforms. Norwood Junction has step free access to platform one for northbound stopping services only. There is no step-free access to platforms two-six.

A designated accessible entrance is available in the Arthur Wait Stand and Access Stewards will be on hand to provide assistance.

Accessible toilets are available throughout the away section in close proximity to the wheelchair platforms.

Selhurst Park offers low level counters at kiosks and audio commentary for visiting supporters.

Disabled Supporter Assistants will be present in accessible viewing areas along with Tottenham Hotspur Access Stewards should any support be required.

Supporters with any queries about access arrangements are encouraged to email access@tottenhamhotspur.com.

FanZone

A FanZone, located in the main car park by Entrance 10 will be open on matchday, available for all families with young children in possession of a valid matchday ticket.

Refreshments

Concourse catering kiosks will be serving food, hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages. Please note, there is no designated pub for visiting supporters.

Cashless payments

Selhurst Park is a cashless stadium and accepts all major debit and credit cards.

Bag policy

Supporters can bring a bag/backpack (small enough to fit under their seat) into the stadium, subject to a full search at the turnstiles. Alternatively, luggage can be left for free at the Information Centre which is located at Entrance 9.

Ticket Office

Supporters collecting tickets can do so from the Visiting Supporter Box Office, located on the corner of Park Road and Holmesdale Road, by Entrance 4.

Duplicate tickets must be requested by emailing ticket.office@tottenhamhotspur.com and will only be provided on production of valid photo ID.

Flags and banners

Supporters wishing to bring a flag or banner should send their request to Clive Mitchell, clive.mitchell@cpfc.co.uk, along with a full description and photograph (where possible) at least seven days before the game. Please note that large flags and banners will only be considered if accompanied by a British Standards zero spread of flames fire certificate.

Flags and banners must be smaller than 2m x 1m, and must not obstruct the views of others, cover advertising signs or cause a safety hazard, nor may they display abusive or threatening words, images, political statements or be deemed unacceptable.

All flags and banners must carry a valid Fire Safety Certificate and will be checked at the turnstiles by stewards.

Please note, as at other stadia in the UK and Europe, flags with religious / sectarian / political / inflammatory or offensive messages will not be permitted and may be confiscated. Flag poles are not permitted.

Supporters are also reminded of the Club’s own Flags and Banners Policy which is in effect at away matches.

Spurs Respects

We are proud of our superb and loyal support at home and away.

We recognise that most supporters want to watch a football match and not listen to abusive or indecent language from the stands. Discriminatory or violent behaviour, including racist, homophobic, sexist or anti-disability shouting, chanting or actions, is unacceptable.

The Club reserves the right to indefinitely ban supporters found guilty of using discriminatory language or violent behaviour.

Unauthorised use of tickets

Supporters are reminded that the unauthorised reselling or passing on of tickets is strictly prohibited. In line with the Club's Sanctions & Banning Policy, supporters found to have purchased tickets and subsequently sold or passed them on to other supporters, or offered for sale, will be subject to sanctions.

Supporters unable to attend

Supporters unable to attend the match should contact the Ticket Office as soon as possible. The Club shall make best endeavours to reallocate tickets to other eligible supporters and issue refunds upon receipt of originally issued tickets.

Live Blog: Crystal Palace vs Spurs  Tottenham Hotspur

Despite ending the calendar year with a frustrating defeat at Manchester United in the Women’s League Cup quarter-final on Sunday, Clare Hunt reflected positively about the progress of the squad during the opening months of the campaign.

It was a strong first-half performance at Leigh Sports Village and we deservedly took the lead just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark when Drew Spence struck a fantastic volley to capitalise on the positive start.

While United once again produced another second-half comeback – Jess Park and Fridolina Rolfo securing the win for the home side – the Australia international was keen to focus on the performance in the first period and how there are plenty of positives to build on once we return in the new year.

“We did really, really well in the first half,” Clare told us, reflecting on the game. “We dominated large aspects of possession and got an early goal, which really helped us. Defensively, I thought we were very solid in that first half, so there are plenty of positives to take from it.

“The second half wasn’t as good as we would have liked. We got caught out in a few moments defensively and they capitalised on those opportunities. That’s frustrating, but there’s still plenty to work on as we move into the new year.”

Asked about what the targets are for the new year, she added: “Moving into the second half of the season, we know exactly what we need to work on. I think we’ve developed a lot over the last six months under Martin. Now it’s about continuing to move forward, realising our potential over the next six months, and hopefully progressing in the league to see where we end up by the end of the season.

“We just need to keep working on that and focus on finding ways to maintain wins in games. When we do have the lead, it’s about controlling possession and minimising chances defensively. It’s given us a lot to work on for the next six months but, overall, it’s been a really positive first six months under Martin.

“Everyone has put their head down and really put the work in. What we’ve developed so far has been great and there’s still plenty more to work on. There’s a lot of potential within this squad.”

Man Utd Women vs Spurs Women | Full Match | 2025/26  Tottenham Hotspur