Helps me power up
DEJAN KULUSEVSKI joked that playing as Spurs’ man-in-the-mask winger is giving him special matchwinning superpowers.
The Swede chopped Nottingham Forest down to size with an assist for Richarlison before killing them off with a rightfooted second in a 2-0 victory at the City Ground.
The 23-year-old, who bagged a last-gasp equaliser at the Etihad to stop a three-game losing streak, picked up a broken nose during the defeat to West Ham and now has to wear protection. But it seems to suit him. Asked about the face covering, he said: “It feels good. It gives me a little more power. I push the secret button on the mask before kick-off – and off we go!
“I broke my nose and this is what I have to do to protect it. The doctor says I have to wear it for one month. If I keep playing like this, I might keep it!”
Friday night’s victory made it back-to-back wins, following the four-goal hit on Newcastle United last week. And Kulusevski is confident Spurs can return to winning ways on a more permanent basis after their storming start to the season stalled.
He added: “We were very disappointed with what happened. There were some silly goals we gave away. I know we are going to be up there. But we have to do everything we can to get better.”
Defender Ben Davies said that Kulusevski’s uptick in form may be partly due to his teammates pressing him to believe in himself more.
He said: “Dejan’s been very, very good for us. We’ve been on to him for a while to back himself – and now you’re seeing it. We’re very lucky to have him.”