Tottenham Hotspur finished 17th in each of the last two seasons, narrowly avoiding relegation last time. They started this season badly, going six games without a win, and looked set to underperform again. Now they are on a three-game winning run. Can they keep it up?
Spurs failed to score in their first four games and did not win until their seventh. Then they beat Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, each by two goals, keeping clean sheets in the last two. The wins over Coventry and Palace could be dismissed, as those sides are 16th and 18th respectively. But beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge suggests a real change in form and mentality. The wins were not flukes either, as Spurs had more possession and shots than their opponents in all three games. Perhaps the change in management is finally paying off, and the club’s size and budget are starting to show in its quality and results.
However, these results could be misleading. Both Chelsea and Crystal Palace were reduced to ten men during the match, in Palace’s case after only 13 minutes. Of the four goals in those two games, two came from corners and one was an own goal. Spurs are still struggling to score in open play, even though their results have improved.
Spurs have also won only three games so far this season, and only seven teams have won fewer. That makes them below average rather than among the best, which is where they should be aspiring to be. Three wins in a row should not be a noteworthy achievement for a club of Spurs’ stature, especially when one of them came against a newly promoted team.
Still, Spurs needed this run of form, and it can only help the club, both in keeping them away from relegation and in rebuilding their confidence. It is too early to say whether it marks the start of lasting form, especially as they won three of their first four games last season and still ended up in a relegation battle.
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