With everyone focused on Manchester City’s battles with Liverpool and Arsenal, it could be Tottenham who yet make an unexpected late push to win their first-ever Premier League title this season.
As autumn turned to winter, grey clouds began to circle around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the north London side picked up just one Premier League point from a possible 15 between November and December.
After such an impressive start to life under Ange Postecoglou, which saw Spurs win eight of their first 10 league fixtures and emerge as dark horses in the title race, they started to slip away in what rival fans would describe as ‘Spursy’ fashion.
However, the reasons behind their downturn in form were far more complex, and the 2-1 win against Brighton felt like a statement result which suggests they are still alive and kicking in this race.
BACK TO FULL STRENGTH
For the first time since November, Postecoglou had all of his star players available at once against the Seagulls.
Heung-min Son returned from his duties with South Korea at the Asia Cup, coming off the bench to a huge ovation and setting up Brennan Johnson’s dramatic last-gasp winner.
It was a reminder of his “world class” quality which Postecoglou alluded to recently, and if the 31-year-old can continue in that form, it could prove key.
FAVOURABLE FIXTURES
Tottenham host Wolves, Crystal Palace, and Luton Town in three of their next five fixtures, with trips to Villa and Fulham sandwiched in-between.
In that same run of matches Manchester City will play both Liverpool and Arsenal while the Gunners also host Chelsea, where Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be keen to derail their London rivals’ title aspirations.
Embed from Getty ImagesIf Spurs can pick up the points they will expect from this run as the teams above them trip each other up, it could set up a very intriguing end to April when Postecoglou’s side host City and Arsenal in back-to-back games before travelling to Anfield.
No distractions
Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp will all be juggling European exploits with their domestic duties, and this could come as a frustrating distraction at a time where Postecoglou and his players are entirely focussed on the Premier League.
Being knocked out of both cups could prove to be an advantage, and if Postecoglou can get his full-strength team firing again, the Australian’s suggestion that his side can still win the league might not seem so ridiculous after all.
