They will have to be at their best in every league game to challenge Chelsea, Spurs have four standout fixtures, including a sensational White Hart Lane send off.
Tottenham Hotspur’s impressive 2-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday was significant for a number of reasons. It ended the West London club’s winning run and proved that they were a fallible team just as the league-leading Blues threatened to reach levels where they could do no wrong. It also pulled Spurs right back into the race for the title, as they shot up to third while simultaneously extending their own winning run to five league games.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are still seven points behind Chelsea, but having avoided defeat at home this season, they must fancy the chances of pushing forward and challenging their rivals for a first league trophy since 1961. They did exactly that last year, when form was very strong in the early part of the year against a unbelievable Leicester charge.
Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris celebrates after the game
For a challenge to happen, there are four fixtures that stick out from Tottenham’s remaining games; navigate them and there is a real chance Spurs will be up there come the final whistle on May 21 up at Hull.
Manchester City (a) January 21
In the early days of the season this would have looked like one of the toughest fixtures in the whole campaign for Spurs, but after dominating Manchester City at White Hart Lane in a 2-0 win that could have easily been more emphatic, Pochettino may feel he has a style of play that works well against the Citizens. With three wins on the bounce against the club, and Pep Guardiola’s time at the Etihad already being called into question somewhat, Tottenham should head north full of confidence. It’ll still be a tough game, of course, but certainly one the Lilywhites can win.
Liverpool (a) February 11
Tottenham’s Dele Alli in action with Liverpool’s Adam Lallana
Tottenham’s trip to Anfield looks to be their most difficult remaining game in the Premier League. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in North London earlier in the season, with the Reds arguably the best visiting team to have visited the Lane so far this season. Like Spurs, Liverpool are yet to lose at home, and on their day they can be a devastating attacking force. Nevertheless, Jurgen Klopp’s side has stuttered a little in recent games, and if Tottenham, now with the best defensive record in the division, are on form, they could get the win that really sets them up for a title challenge.
Arsenal (h) April 29
Tottenham’s Harry Kane in action with Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi
What more can be said of this game. The last North London Derby at White Hart Lane promises to be a cracker, and is the penultimate fixture at the stadium. It will come after a period of two and a half months when Spurs don’t play any team in the current top six, but it doesn’t come any bigger than Tottenham versus Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s side will surely be in or around the top four, but the home support will demand a victory against their fierce rivals, whose form has fluctuated this season.
Manchester United (h) May 13
Tottenham’s final ever game at this incarnation of White Hart Lane will see them take on a Manchester United side who could also be up there at the premier League summit. The Red Devils are playing well at the moment, winning six straight games, but there will be a huge expectation for the Spurs players to win a final three points at the famous stadium. There is form to suggest Spurs will be heavy favourites too. It may have been under Louis van Gaal, but Spurs destroyed United 3-0 last April, and the Manchester side were out fought when visiting Upton Park for West Ham’s last ever home game.
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