Tottenham Hotspurs superb performance during their 3-1 victory over Chelsea yesterday, not only all but secured their qualification for next seasons Champions League, it also brought to an end a miserable 28 year run without a victory at Stamford Bridge, and cemented Mauricio Pochetinno’s sides place as the Kings of London.
That may seem like a bold statement, however their are plenty of facts to back it up over the course of the last three Premier League seasons.
From the beginning of the 2015/2016 season up until today, Spurs have collected 220 top flight points, which is considerably more than the two other biggest capital clubs Chelsea (199), and Arsenal (197).
Mauricio Pochettino’s men all but guaranteed place in next seasons Champions League also means they are the only London team to have qualified for Europes most elite competition consecutively for the last three seasons, with Man City the only Premier League club to have matched this feat.
Whilst Spurs certainly have a long way to go in order to match the global reach or historical success of their main capital rivals at the Emirates and Stamford Bridge, the fact that this season looks like being the first time since 1994/1995 that they will finish above both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League table also feels significant.
So much of this success is of course down to the fantastic job that the White Hart Lane clubs 46-year-old manager Mauricio Pochettino has done since taking over in the summer of 2014.
The Argentinian coach has managed to build a vibrant young side on a fraction of the budget other top Premier League sides have at their disposal.
At their very best Spurs brand of high intensity attacking football is a joy to watch, and often proves almost unplayable for rival clubs who have invested significantly higher amounts in their playing squads in terms of transfer fees and wages.
The fact that only three of Pochettino’s side were born in 1990 – the last time their club tasted victory at Stamford Bridge – shows you exactly the type of age profile that dominates this current Spurs side.
Yesterday’s victory over Chelsea will also have been made even more sweet for Spurs fans due to the fact their talismanic striker Harry Kane did not enter the fray until the 74th minute when his side were already 3-1 up, and arguably their best defender Toby Alderweireld was not even included in the match day squad.
Of course questions can still be rightly asked about the clubs ability to maintain their current period of high performance and keep hold of their best players when considering the strict wage structure Chairman Daniel Levy has in place.
Also, many will also point to the fact that despite all the plaudits this talented coach and squad have received in recent years they are still to win any silverware.
However, they are now clear favourites to win the FA Cup this season and in current form it would take a brave man to bet against them.
Despite their ultimate elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Italian giants Juventus being disappointing, Spurs performances against the likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund confirmed their ability to compete at the top level in Europe and is just another sign of continued progress being made.
All of this of course has come against the backdrop of the upheaval of a one season Stadium move from White Hart Lane to Wembley, which just makes their achievements all the more impressive.
Unless you were around in the 1960’s this is quite simply the best Spurs side most of us have ever seen, and the clubs fans should be enjoying every minute of their reign as the current undisputed Kings of London.
