Focus on Palace - Jack Rosser, Evening Standard
It's our third Premier League match in a week, and our second London derby, so we tapped into the knowledge of Jack Rosser, football writer for the London Evening Standard and a regular in press boxes across the capital, for his lowdown on Crystal Palace ahead of this evening's encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (7.15pm).
It's our third Premier League match in a week, and our second London derby, so we tapped into the knowledge of Jack Rosser, football writer for the London Evening Standard and a regular in press boxes across the capital, for his lowdown on Crystal Palace ahead of this evening's encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (7.15pm). @JackRosser_
Form
Jack: "Palace went back to basics for the recent trip to Brighton, produced what was really a ridiculous smash-and-grab victory (95th-minute winner) and they've been really tight ever since. The players have all said it's a back-to-basics approach, and they've been fantastic. They've thrown everything in front of chances. Brighton and Fulham created a lot, Manchester United not so much, but Palace are looking close to their old selves again. That famed solid defence had waned a little this season as they've tried to be a bit more expansive, but it's all coming back now."
Key player
Jack: "Certainly it's the guys at the back at the moment. Gary Cahill has been outstanding, and so experienced in there. Cheikhou Kouyate has dropped back into the back four from midfield and has been absolutely superb, Vicente Guaita has also pulled off a few key saves as well. If they want to do anything going forward, then they will hope to have Wilfried Zaha back, obviously, they'll see how fit he is, but they also need Eberechi Eze to get on the ball as much as possible and have assistance from those around him to try and cause trouble. If they can get support around Eze, he's capable of changing any game."
Style
Jack: "I think it will be as you always expect Palace to be - tight, organised, not too gung-ho going forward, but in Wilf, Eze and if Andros Townsend plays, they've got players who can get away. Jordan Ayew has been covering the ground as well. They know what to do, they will sit tight and try to frustrate Spurs. If they can build that frustration and then hit Spurs on the counter, that's what they want to do."