Antonio Conte praised his Tottenham players for showing "great character" in their convincing 4-0 win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and believes it will help the team's confidence ahead of upcoming matches against Arsenal and Manchester City.
The pressure had been turned up on Conte and his squad following a 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa last time out extended a disappointing run of form, with the Italian suggesting he could leave if he was not provided the resources to take the club forward.
However, it was a much-improved performance at Selhurst Park as Harry Kane scored twice before goals from Matt Doherty and Son Heung-min secured an emphatic victory and boosted Tottenham's top-four hopes. Spurs are fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United having played a game more.
It was also the first time in 11 games where Tottenham had opened the scoring.
“It’s always important to get three points and have this type of win,” Conte said. “This brings confidence. The game against Aston Villa, after a good first half, we conceded the goal and our confidence dropped a lot.
"To recover in two or three days after a defeat at home where we are expected to win, and to go again, was not easy. The response was really good. My players showed great character, great personality.”
After an FA Cup third-round tie at home against Portsmouth on Saturday, Spurs face fierce rivals and table-toppers Arsenal on their return to league duty next Sunday. Four days later, they travel to face champions Manchester City, whom they play again at the start of February.
Crystal Palace v Tottenham player ratings
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CRYSTAL PALACE: Vicente Guaita 6: Barely had to break sweat in first half but was quickly picking ball out of the net twice in second half after clinical Kane finishes. Got hand to Doherty goal but couldn’t keep it out. No chance with Son’s. Reuters -
Nathaniel Clyne 6: Solid first-half, struggled in second, which will become a familiar refrain through the Eagles’ ratings. Getty -
Joachim Andersen 6: Nearly opened scoring on half-hour mark when sent 25-yard strike inches wide of target that had Lloris beaten. Defender is a quality player but could do nothing to stop Spurs’ four-goal second-half blast. AFP -
Marc Guehi 5: Had strolled through first half but, like rest of teammates, performance collapsed after break. At fault for Son’s goal and, like rest of teammates, given the run-around by Kane. Reuters -
Joel Ward 4: Had shot deflected out for corner just after break but minutes later was beaten to header by Kane when visitors went in front, and the moves Spurs second and third goals came down Ward’s flank as well. AFP -
Cheick Doucoure 6: Impressive first 45 minutes and helped make Spurs’ centre midfielders look second best. But the second … well, you know the rest. PA -
Jeffrey Schlupp 6: Had helped Palace dominate centre of midfield in opening half but game was turned on head by Kane’s quickfire double after break. Booked for cynical block on hour-mark and taken off moments later. Reuters -
Michael Olise 6: Hit and miss in with his dangerous left foot first half – hit one superb cross into box that Zaha failed to get his head to, fired one shot way over bar and saw another deflected wide for corner. Curled ambitious effort wide of target just after the hour. AFP -
Eberechi Eze 5: Scored against Bournemouth last time out and claimed he should have had a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Skipp, but rightly waved away by referee. Some flashes of skill but little impact and no final product. Getty -
Wilfried Zaha 7: Showed good skill, turn of pace to fly past two players before setting-up first-half chance for Ayew and was a threat in first half. Tried to make things happen even as game was hurtling away from team. Reuters -
Jordan Ayew 6: Another scorer in the win against the Cherries, and almost opened the scoring in first half after nice first touch and strike that forced good save from Lloris - although teammates were better placed for shot. Saw second-half strike tipped wide for corner by French keeper. PA -
SUBS: Jean-Philippe Mateta - no live images (On for Schlupp 61’) 5: Headed chance well wide not long after coming on. Will Hughes (On for Eze 73) 5: Came on with the game well and truly over. PA -
Odsonne Edouard (On for Olise 73’) 5: Team was four-down when he was introduced and Spurs in cruise control. Getty -
TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 8: Good save down low to deny Ayew in first half and even better finger-tipped effort from same player in second. Also blocked Zaha strike with his leg after break and much-needed clean sheet for France goalkeeper. Reuters -
Clement Lenglet 7: One or two nervy moments in first half but overall a good performance from French defender. PA -
Eric Dier 7: Back in side in place of Ben Davies and made some important challenges on the gruond and in the air in first half as Spurs found themselves under a bit of pressure. Will have been delighted to have helped team keep clean-sheet on return to team. AFP -
Cristian Romero 7: Looked like red-card waiting to happen against Aston Villa, but much more composed here, although one sloppy touch straight after break gifted ball to Ayew who saw his shot at goal blocked for a corner. Reuters -
Matt Doherty 7: Sliced dreadful right-footed strike from tight angle just after break despite Spurs having three or four teammates waiting in box waiting for cross. Side-footed home first goal since April to make it 3-0. AFP -
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7: Looked like it was going to be repeat of his poor show against Villa in first half as Spurs failed to get grip of midfield. Must have been given half-time rocket from Antonio Conte as was much improved after break. Getty -
Oliver Skipp 5: Replaced the suspended Yves Bissouma in midfield. Caught in possession in middle of park which ended up Ayew almost finding the net for Palace and then booked for foul on same player later in first half. Reuters -
Ivan Perisic 7: Wonderful delivery from left to Kane at back post meant it was a meat and drink finish for striker to put Spurs into lead. Reuters -
Bryan Gil 7: Beat a couple of players then curled game’s first shot on target straight at Guaita in opening 10 minutes. Heavily involved in build-up to Kane’s first, supplied assist for his second. Getty -
Son Heung-min 6: One of the Premier League best players in recent season has not not enjoying the best of times of late. But supplied assist for Doherty goal and scored the fourth himself – his first league strike since September - albeit both coming via deflections. Getty -
Harry Kane 9: Making his 300th Premier League appearance, England striker headed Spurs into the lead three minutes into second half. Drilled home second in ruthless fashion five minutes later which leaves him two goals behind Jimmy Greaves' record Spurs haul of 266. Had hand in other two goals as well. Getty -
SUBS: Pape Sarr (On for Skipp 66’) 7: Impressed after coming on and made a real difference to team. Getty -
Ryan Sessegnon (On for Gil 77’) N/A. AFP -
Emerson Royal (On for Doherty 77’) N/A. Getty -
Ben Davies (On for Lenglet 86’) N/A. Getty -
Harvey White (On for Peresic 86’) N/A. Reuters
Not only does Conte feel that the win over Palace will provide some valuable confidence, but he also hopes to welcome back several players in time for those crucial matches.
“We know we face Arsenal and Man City, the two title contenders for this Premier League,” he said. “To arrive with a good win is really important. I hope to recover players who are injured. We are talking about important players. I hope in these 10 days to have all the players available: Richarlison, Kulu [Dejan Kulusevski], [Rodrigo] Bentancur.”
Palace were expected to present a challenge to Tottenham but manager Patrick Vieira said his team was undone by the "quality of the Spurs forwards".
“It was a tough night,” Vieira said. “To concede four goals, I think that doesn’t reflect the quality of the game we played today.
“I think we deserved more, especially in the first half with those situations and chances we created, and of course, when they scored that first goal, it became really difficult for us
“When those [Tottenham] players have a little bit of space, they can hurt any team. The way they managed the game and the way they managed the difficult period they had showed a huge difference between the two teams.
“Their experience was a massive factor in the game today.”
