Kane, Eriksen and Alli preview Chelsea clash at the Lane

The magnitude of tonight’s (Wednesday, January 4) clash with Chelsea is not lost on Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli.

We’ve been speaking to the in-form trio to get their views as we prepare to take on Antonio Conte’s Premier League leaders, seeking to reduce the 10-point gap that’s currently between us and at the same time elevate ourselves into the top four once more.

Remember, kick-off is at 8pm at White Hart Lane this evening.

Harry Kane

What are your thoughts ahead of kick-off?
“We’re excited, it’s going to be a massive game. We know how much it’s going to mean to us, the fans and everyone involved so it’s going to be a great atmosphere at White Hart Lane, we’re looking forward to it and we’re excited for it.”

Is this our biggest test of the season?
“Yes, I think so. There’s a lot of tough games in the Premier League but we know how much this one means to everyone so we’ve got to be fully focused and make sure we put on a good performance.”

Did we learn anything from the reverse fixture at Chelsea in November?
“We use every game to learn from. At Stamford Bridge we started very well in the first half, Chelsea scoring just before half-time killed our momentum a bit but we know we can beat them, we’ve just got to go out there and play well enough.”

Is it realistically going to be hard to catch Chelsea if we don’t take all three points tonight?
“That’s what people are going to say but we’re focused on each game as it comes. We want to win and we’re going to keep fighting until the very last game no matter if we win, lose or draw this match, but we know how much it means to everyone so we’re going to give it 110 per cent and hopefully we can come away with the win.”

Christian Eriksen

How confident are you of winning tonight’s game?
“We’re all confident. Chelsea have shown they are a very good side and are on an impressive run, but hopefully we can be the team to end that. We played really well in the first 45 minutes at their place but then we weren’t good enough in the second half. If we can play to our level for the whole game then we will have a chance. The season has a long way to go still and if we can get a win this evening, it would show other teams that Chelsea can be beaten. It could change their mentality if they were to lose too and it would give us real confidence.”

How do you look back on the 2-2 draw with the Blues towards the end of last season?
“We were ahead in the game, led 2-0 and played really well, but we ended up drawing and going back into the dressing room afterwards knowing it was over for us was a tough feeling. If anything though, having experienced that feeling, we all know that we don’t want to be in that position again, so maybe it will help us to make sure it doesn’t happen next time.”

How happy are you with your current form?
“Very happy. I think I still had the chances at the start of the season, they just didn’t go in. Everything is going well for the team and when the team plays well, I play well. I think everyone is like that at Spurs. We just keep the team going, we have good players who perform well.”

Dele Alli

How do you feel about tonight’s match?
“We’re excited, like every game this season. We’ve got a great team here, everyone gets on and everyone wants to be on the pitch together. It’s a big game for the fans as well and it’s important that we try our best and try to get the win.”

How decisive could this game be in the title race?
“I think there’s still a lot of games to go and no matter what happens there’s still a chance to bounce back or to carry on and build on it. We’re not going to approach it any different to any other game – we want to win every game this season so nothing’s going to change. We’re going to go out there and stick to the game plan.”

How do we stop a Chelsea side on a 13-game winning streak?
“We’ve worked on it on the training field and come up with a game plan and like I said, it’s important that we stick to it and everyone does their job. I’m sure things will go our way.”

DON’T MISS TONIGHT'S OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME! 

Pick up your copy of our official matchday programme at the game this evening.

It’s £3.50 for 100 pages, including...

- Feature interview with Christian Eriksen
- Mauricio Pochettino's exclusive column
- Harry Kane is the 'Centre of Attention'
- Another instalment of ‘The White Hart Lane Years’
- Chelsea legend Graeme Le Saux recalls playing against us
- A look at the Blues’ squad and memories of a 1920 battle between the sides
- A pictorial review of 2016 from a Spurs perspective

Buy yours from a number of points around the stadium or from the Spurs Megastore tonight.

Sample it now for free with our 12-page online preview edition or buy the full 100-page digital issue via tottenhamhotspur.com/programme