Everything Roberto De Zerbi Said In Press Conference Following Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace

Roberto De Zerbi faced the media following his Tottenham Hotspur side winning their third Premier League game in a row, as they begin to find their feet after a difficult start to the season. Saturday evening’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace delivered a second successive Premier League home win, strengthening the sense of progress as the team gradually rebuilds its confidence.

After the breakthrough against Coventry City and an impressive victory at Chelsea, Spurs had another chance to turn encouraging performances into consistent results. Goals from Archie Gray and Jan Paul Van Hecke sealed the win against 10-man Crystal Palace.

The Italian Head coach was asked what he thought of the performance,

Roberto said: “I'm very happy with the performance, because we showed to be mature team, with clear ideas. We didn't concede a counter-attack, maybe just one in the second half. We created many, many chances. If we want to follow the perfection, we have to be more... nasty. That is an individual thing, because if I'm number 9, number 10, I want to score, but I can't say nothing. We are improving the physical condition. Tonali today was unbelievable, incredible. We played with two players more - Tonali was the double today. We are improving with Archie Gray, with Robertson, the two central backs very good, to take the command of the game. Mateus Fernandes, another very good performance. Marmoush, Solanke, very well, especially when we lost the ball. So, it's a clear signal that they were inside of the game. Kudus, Mathys, very well. They are improving and the team is improving.”

Jan Paul van Hecke capped an impressive performance with Tottenham’s second goal, finally giving the hosts breathing space. In the 73rd minute, the defender saw his initial header pushed onto the crossbar by Dean Henderson, but reacted brilliantly while on the ground to nod the rebound over the line.

Roberto: “Van Hecke is a tough character, tough personality. I'm very happy for him.”

Luca Williams-Barnett made his Premier League debut in the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The 18-year-old replaced Mathys Tel in the 88th minute and quickly showed his confidence, creating a chance that Mohammed Kudus couldn't convert.

The attacking midfielder joined Spurs at Under-10 level from his hometown club, Luton Town, and has established himself as one of the academy’s brightest prospects. He made his Under-18 debut aged 15, later scoring a hat-trick in Tottenham’s Under-17 Premier League Cup final victory over Charlton Athletic.

He made his senior debut against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup in September 2025, before signing his first professional contract the following month.

An England youth international, Williams-Barnett also scored five times against Slavia Prague in the UEFA Youth League last December. Tonight’s appearance provided another step forward, bringing his attacking promise onto the Premier League stage in encouraging fashion.

Roberto: “My career is clear, when I work, when I have young, talented players, nothing changes. I thought it was the right moment for him, because he is the first game in the Premier League, but as a quality, he’s a big, big talent.”

De Zerbi was asked, is he played so well when he came on, Roberto: “Luca? Yes. He is a very, very great talent, very young, but a great talent.”

Tottenham laid the foundations for tonight’s victory with successive wins over Coventry City and Chelsea. A 3-1 home win against Coventry provided a much-needed breakthrough after a difficult start to the Premier League campaign, giving Roberto De Zerbi’s players renewed confidence.

Spurs then followed that result with an impressive 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, securing a rare away triumph against their London rivals. Winning consecutive matches gave Tottenham momentum, while the clean sheet at Chelsea highlighted their improving defensive resilience. Together, those results lifted the mood around the club and set the stage for further progress against Crystal Palace.

De Zerbi was asked if confidence was at it’s highest right now, Roberto: “I think even before the national break we were playing well. We were playing maybe not 90 minutes, but many parts of that game we played very well. We didn't score, we conceded a stupid goal and then we lost energy, we lost spirit, we lost the right union between the players. If we compare Tottenham before the national break and Tottenham after the national break, now we are playing as a team. Before the national break we were playing as many very good players, but not as a team.”

De Zerbi was asked whether Tottenham had overcome the fragility he identified around the Aston Villa game before the international break.

Roberto: “At the moment, yes, but we can't forget, as I said to the players before the game and in the half-time, we can't forget where we have been two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, before the Coventry game, we were last on the table and we can't forget. I think this is the crucial part, the crucial aspect for this team. Then, playing with freedom, enjoying with the ball, attacking many players, no problem - but we can't forget where we were two weeks ago.”

Archie Gray’s opening goal against Crystal Palace felt like deserved recognition for his contribution during Tottenham’s difficult start to the season. The 20-year-old came in tonight having played 580 minutes across seven Premier League appearances, regularly taking responsibility at right-back despite his preference for midfield. His versatility has given Roberto De Zerbi valuable options, while his involvement in the recent victories over Coventry and Chelsea underlined his importance. Heading home Mohammed Kudus’ corner provided a moment of personal reward for that commitment.

Roberto: “He's improving a lot. I don't know, after Manchester United, he's playing very, very well, as a mature player - also the team. Today, the best thing of the team, they showed to be mature. They knew what we had to do with the ball, not to take stupid risks and to concede counter-attack, even with one player more. I think the style of Crystal Palace didn't change for the red card. I knew before the game it could be a very tough, tough game, because now we are improving in the principle, we are improving in the quality of the play. Maybe now we are not ready yet to play against one low block so close, so aggressive, in so small spaces. It's not easy for the top teams, maybe for us in this moment. Maybe in two, three months we can reach the right level to play better against one low block, but now it's very tough.”

Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro’s involvement against Crystal Palace provided a welcome boost to Tottenham’s defensive options. Udogie had missed the Coventry and Chelsea victories with a knee problem sustained against Manchester United, while Porro had recently returned from a hamstring injury suffered against Aston Villa.

Their availability allowed Roberto De Zerbi to replace Archie Gray and Andrew Robertson without sacrificing experience at both full-backs.

Roberto: “Pedro is ready. We didn't take risks, speaking with him, he decided before the game, he was very honest with me and I appreciate that a lot because the Premier League is 38 games, not one game. With Udogie, hopefully we can work many weeks in a row. Until now, it was not possible.”

Tottenham next face Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, November 7, with kick-off scheduled for 12.30pm.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side will be chasing a fourth successive Premier League victory after beating Coventry City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. The trip offers another test of their growing confidence. Another positive result would strengthen their revival ahead of the November international break and reward their consistency.