Last time out at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace were beaten 3-0 by Fulham on Boxing Day on what Patrick Vieira described as “one of the worst days” of his time in charge.
Tonight, after a 2-0 win at Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve, Palace are out to exorcise that ghost against Tottenham in south London.
Vieira insists he never doubted the quality of his young squad, and the start of 2023 offers Palace a chance to build on a mostly-promising season to date.
The Eagles have 22 points after 16 games, a tally they have bettered only once in the Premier League (in 2015-16). It has not all been rosy, but there is a real sense Vieira is building something.
Spurs have not won any of their last 10 Premier League away games in London, and there would be few sweeter ways for former Arsenal captain Vieira to begin the new year.
“We just have to keep what we showed against Bournemouth — and that is the most difficult thing to do,” said Vieira. To be competitive and keep going game after game.
“But I believe in the group and try to enforce those messages. The benchmark is really high regarding what we want to achieve.”
