Alasdair Gold has told his YouTube channel that Antonio Conte was subdued after Tottenham scored their first two goals against Crystal Palace – but went “bananas” when Matt Doherty scored his side’s third goal at Selhurst Park.
Spurs struggled to dominate Palace in the first half and Hugo Lloris was required. But the 2018 World Cup winner and 2022 finalist held on to his 149th clean sheet for Tottenham. Harry Kane scored two quick goals in the second half.
A header, and then a brilliant right-footed effort. Doherty made it 3-0, a neat first-time finish. Then, Son Heung-min made it 4-0 after an assist from Kane. A brilliant night for Spurs, but a much-needed one for the club – and Conte.
Gold said he observed Conte’s reactions to the goals. He says he did not react to either of Kane’s goals, even looking in a bit of a “strop” in the first half. Then, when Doherty scored, he went bananas. He celebrated Son’s goal with his staff.
“He started off [in the dugout] like he was in a bit of a strop. When they scored their first two goals, I looked across at him, he looked as if ‘uh, whatever’. When the third and fourth goals went in, Doherty’s goal, he went bananas.
“He was really celebrating. When Son scored, he was bounding about, leaping at his coaches. It was really good to see. It was almost as if he just needed to be plugged back in, recharged,” Football London reporter Gold said on YouTube.
Gold: Conte subdued but went bananas when Doherty scored in 4-0 win
A brilliant win. One that will have delighted Conte, who silenced some of those questioning his position in the dugout. A crucial win, ahead of a potential banana skin in the FA Cup and then of course, the North London derby next week.
Spurs need some momentum if they are to get anything from the game against an Arsenal side firing on all cylinders. Beating Palace away from home and by the margin they did will set them on their way. Victory needed on Saturday.
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