Spurs’ last visit to Chelsea saw them lose both their composure and their hopes of the title – they return on Saturday searching for the cohesion and vibrancy that has deserted them sinceIn the midst of the mayhem, a football match broke out but it was unclear whether anybody noticed. The Battle of Stamford Bridge towards the end of last season, when Chelsea held Tottenham Hotspur to the 2-2 draw that dashed their title hopes, is remembered for the malevolence, the bench-emptying flashpoints and Mousa Dembélé’s eye-gouge on Diego Costa.There were 12 yellow cards – a record nine for Tottenham – and the minor miracle of no reds. There was Érik Lamela’s Bafta nomination for best innocent face after his...
Tottenham failed to create enough chances against Leicester and Pochettino will hope they are a great deal sharper against Bayer Leverkusen and ArsenalGone are the days when a manager could stride into his dressing room, say “Lads, it’s Tottenham” and leave the room satisfied that his message had been delivered. That was Sir Alex Ferguson’s way of motivating his players at Manchester United before games against the north London club, back when a streak of self-destructiveness threatened to undermine Spurs at every turn.Squander a 3-0 lead? Spursy. Score a comical own goal in the last minute? Spursy. Roll over in a daunting away game? That’s Spurs for you. They can’t be trusted. Related: Leicester’s Ahmed Musa strikes to frustrate blunt...
With the top-flight back in action this weekend, we take a look at the top seven’s strengths, weaknesses, squad depth and key players before asking whether they have got what it takes to win the leagueThe Premier League is back after the international break and, following a breathless start to the season, we assess the top seven sides in the league in search for clues as to which side will lift the trophy come May. Manchester City are the early pacesetters but their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur have given the rest of the clubs hope. It is also worth remembering that seven games into last season, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United were top, West Ham United third and eventual winners...
Tottenham went man-for-man in midfield, denying Manchester City passing options from the start, and the visitors never appeared tempted to go longThe concept of pressing has never been so revered in English football and this meeting between the Premier League’s top two teams was largely about compressing space and winning possession quickly. Related: Dele Alli leads vibrant Tottenham to inflict first loss on Manchester City Continue reading...
Tottenham, with the South Korean to the fore, disrupted Manchester City with their relentless pressure to earn a 2-0 victory over Pep Guardiola’s sideSon Heung-min left the pitch just before full-time at White Hart Lane to a huge, concerted ovation. By that stage Tottenham Hotspur’s stand-in No9 was so utterly spent, so drenched in goodwill from a cooing, gurgling home crowd that, as Andre Marriner shooed him off, Son mistook the referee’s gesture for one of congratulation and tried to shake his hand.On the bench there were backslaps and hugs for a performance of prodigious energy and craft, a significant turn not just in this 2-0 defeat of Manchester City but in City’s wider attempts to adapt to new rhythms...