Tottenham beat 10-man Crystal Palace 2-0 on Saturday evening to make it three wins in a row. After the match, Roberto De Zerbi praised Sandro Tonali and Premier League debutant Luca Williams-Barnett.
Result and key incidents
Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off for a late lunge on Micky van de Ven. Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke scored the goals.
De Zerbi on the performance
Speaking at his post-match press conference, De Zerbi said: "I'm very happy for the performance, because we showed to be a 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 perfection, we have to be more nasty, no? That is an individual thing, because if I'm number nine, 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."
De Zerbi also said: "Maybe in two, three months we can reach the right level to play better against one low block."
Gray taken off at half-time
Gray was replaced at half-time after opening the scoring because he was on a yellow card and De Zerbi did not want to risk a second.
Williams-Barnett makes his debut
Williams-Barnett made his Premier League debut after coming off the bench late on. Asked how happy it made him to give young players their start, De Zerbi said: "Yeah but my career is clear. When I work, when I have young, talented players, for me nothing changes. I thought it was the right moment for him. Because it is his first game in the Premier League. But his qualities, he is a big, big talent."
When it was put to him that the teenager was bright, he replied: "Yes. He is a very, very great talent. Very young, but a great talent." Williams-Barnett could have had an assist but for a Mohammed Kudus miss in front of goal.
