In the early weeks of the season, Tottenham Hotspur supporters would have been lusting after days gone by.
As they watched Harry Kane’s quest to win an eventual Ballon d’Or ramp up, it took Spurs five Premier League fixtures before they eventually found the net.
Now, however, they are not just freescoring but they are on a three game winning run. Roberto De Zerbi has finally found the formula required to take the Lilywhites up the table.
They are now eighth and heading for European football instead of the Championship. They have a renewed defensive organisation to thank but also an improving forward line.
How Tottenham’s forward line are finally coming to the party
Against Crystal Palace on Saturday evening De Zerbi had two defenders to thank for coming up with the goods.
Archie Gray scored a fine header in the first half from a corner before Jan Paul van Hecke bundled the ball home in the second period.
Despite that, however, credit must go to De Zerbi and his forward line for the way in which they have improved in recent weeks. It has certainly helped having a near fully fit squad to choose from.
Mohammed Kudus has returned with a bang and while he did miss a sitter late on against Palace, it was his assist that led to Gray’s opener.
On the opposite flank, Mathys Tel has found some form too. The Frenchman has been one of the most polarising players Tottenham have had in recent years but he followed up his goal against Chelsea last weekend with another spritely performance vs the Eagles.
Tel did not score or assist but he completed four key passes and was also successful with six of his dribble attempts.
In the last few weeks, we have also seen goals for the likes of Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Omar Marmoush. Things are being spread around but De Zerbi won’t care one jot; Tottenham finally have lift off after a disastrous start to the 2026/27 campaign.
Spurs have found their new Heung-min Son
Just over a year ago, just months after winning the Europa League, Heung-min Son took his leave from Spurs, fleeing the scene alongside Ange Postecoglou.
Son is now plying his trade at LAFC in MLS and Tottenham have arguably struggled to replace him. He’s not the first icon that has been rather irreplacable. Harry Kane’s goals still haven’t been replaced. Were they ever going to be? That was an impossible task.
Despite Son’s legacy in north London, he is replacable. Sure, he was dazzling in Tottenham colours but his output was never at Kane’s level and the thought was that they’d be able to bolster their left flank signficiantly.
Well, they haven’t been able to do that until now. Tel’s form at Spurs saw him score just four goals last term while Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons both ruptured their ACLs, keeping them out for the best part of a year.
So, this season, the burden of replacing Son has fallen upon Tel once again and to new signings Marmoush and Savio. All three of them have endured mixed success.
|
Spurs top scorers in 2026/27 |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
|
Dominic Solanke |
2 |
|
Conor Gallagher |
2 |
|
Jan Paul van Hecke |
2 |
|
Ben Davies |
2 |
|
Archie Gray |
1 |
|
Mathys Tel |
1 |
|
Omar Marmoush |
1 |
|
James Maddison |
1 |
|
Savio |
1 |
Tel has scored just once all season, as have Marmoush and Savio. They have shone in spurts but have not generated the levels of consistency seen from their former South Korean sensation.
Well, how about Luca Williams-Barnett? The teenager has long been highly thought of behing the scenes at Hotspur Way but he’s had to remain patient for first-team opportunities.
Prior to Saturday’s clash with Pierre Sage’s men, the 18-year-old had only played twice for the senior side. It’s defied belief given Tottenham’s struggles. Williams-Barnett is the type of player who will inject energy, inject a sense of purpose into the team.
We saw that this weekend. The youngster made his Premier League debut and while he only played a matter of minutes and had just nine touches off the bench, he showed why he could become Spurs’ best winger since the days of Son.
It’s a lot of pressure to heap upon the academy graduate’s shoulders but he’s good enough to embrace it. The mini cameo we saw from him on Saturday spoke volumes. He should have left the field with an assist.
In true Son-like fashion, he beat a host of Palace defenders down the left, fainting this way and that before getting to the byline and providing an inch-perfect cross for Kudus.
He was inches out and should have scored a tap in with the goal at his mercy. He somehow missed the target. Williams-Barnett was robbed of a truly memorable moment.
It was a piece of play that we have seen many times at youth level. He’s been dazzling above his age group for years. Last season, the attacker scored 16 goals in 19 matches for the U18s and U21s.
While we may have to be patient to see him actually start games, it surely won’t be too long. After all, De Zerbi said after the game this weekend that Williams-Barnett is “a very, very great talent.”
