Roy Hodgson: Crystal Palace need more Old Trafford heroics to beat Tottenham

Big test: Roy Hodgson
AFP/Getty Images
Jack Rosser @JackRosser_13 September 2019

Roy Hodgson has called on his Crystal Palace players to replicate their Old Trafford heroics against Tottenham on Saturday.

The Eagles recorded a first ever Premier League victory over Manchester United thanks to Patrick van Aanholt's 90th-minute winner at Old Trafford last month, and face a trip north of the river to face Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Palace were defeated in Tottenham's first ever game at their new stadium last season and, despite their struggles early on this term with defeat to Newcastle in their most recent home game, Hodgson is under no illusions as to how tough their task will be.

“We're talking about two teams of a similar level," Hodgson said. "Top teams in the country, exceptionally good players, well organised teams.

"If you're going to go away from home to those teams and come away with the points in your pocket, you've got to put in an exceptional performance at both ends of the field. We know what lies ahead. We've got to do our best to deliver.”

Palace will be without Martin Kelly this weekend while both James McArthur and Scott Dann face late fitness tests. Hodgson has, however, been boosted by the return of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho from injury as well as the form of summer signing Gary Cahill.

“The defence has been pretty good throughout my time here," Hodgson said. "Take away the opening seven games of that first season, the defensive record isn't bad at all.

"Our problem, if we have one, is we don't score enough goals at the other end to get the wins we'd like. But if you're keeping clean sheets and keeping it tight, you make if that much harder for the opposition. I think we do have players who, given time and space, can use it to their advantage.

"We have to make sure we don't relent on that side of our game. When the opposition have the ball, we have to work very hard to get in shape, keep in shape, keep them in front of us because, if the game becomes very open and down to who scores the most goals, we might not always come out on top.”

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