There are sequences of games that make or break teams. Tottenham are in the midst of one of those spells. Every indication is that Mauricio Pochettino’s team are coming of age.
The manner in which they dispatched Liverpool on Sunday was impressive. The 4-1 scoreline flattered Jurgen Klopp’s men. Tottenham effectively declared after their fourth goal. They were right to conserve their energy.
This testing phase is far from over. On Saturday, they go to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. Four days later, they host Real Madrid.
Pochettino can draw a little breath in midweek but the Carabao Cup tie against West Ham at Wembley on Wednesday gives him the chance to rest his front-line players.
Harry Kane deserves a break but his energy appeared undimmed on Sunday. With the match won and 64 minutes gone, the 24-year-old lost the ball in the Liverpool area but then chased the counter-attack back into his own box. His appetite for the game is breathtaking.
Klopp’s attack can blow opposing teams away. The last time these teams met, in February at Anfield, Tottenham were 2-0 down within 20 minutes. There was never any chance of a repeat at Wembley.
Pochettino’s tactics were spot-on. Using a similar, three centre-back system to the one that Spurs utilised against Real, the home side rarely looked troubled. They were happy to let Liverpool have the ball for long periods but, as in the Bernabeu, they were ready to break at pace. Tottenham have improved hugely since the teams last clashed.
United will present a different sort of problem. Jose Mourinho’s team will set out to strangle the Spurs attack but Pochettino has the tactical knowhow and the personnel to outwit the Portuguese.
Last season, his squad lacked depth, especially up front. Now he has options. Against Real, Kane was paired with Fernando Llorente. When the European champions pushed Tottenham deep, the Spaniard was available as an outlet ball to take pressure off the defence.
Against Liverpool, Pochettino took a different approach. Heung-min Son ranged up in support of Kane and his pace running in behind the back four unnerved Klopp’s defence. In two big games, the Spurs manager was able to give his system a different, dangerous tweak. Tottenham are the most adaptable — and best-balanced — team in the Premier League.
Dele Alli operated in midfield and showed plenty of discipline. It was not Alli’s most eye-catching display but there are times when graft is better than flash.
In retrospect, Alli’s three-game European suspension was a positive. The team produced excellent performances against Borussia Dortmund and Real and seeing the side play so well without him might have had a chastening effect on Alli and act as a counterweight to two years of plaudits heaped on the youngster.
Spurs are not necessarily better with him in the side. His place needs to be earned, not given as a right.
He put in an unselfish shift. There will be many moments of glory for Tottenham’s budding superstar but understanding that the team does not revolve around him is a crucial part of his development. His strength, power and drive will be needed at Old Trafford.
United have lost momentum after a bullish start and Mourinho tends to revert to type in tough times, keeping the game tight in the hope of nicking a winner. Pochettino will have a different type of tactical conundrum on his hands but the 45-year-old is growing more strategically astute by the month.
A victory in front of the Stretford End would mean another psychological hurdle has been cleared. The Argentine has lost on his three visits to Old Trafford as Spurs manager.
Taking three points off United would confirm that Tottenham are the most significant challengers to Manchester City for the title and set the side up for the home Champions League tie against Real.
Finishing this run of tough fixtures with a flourish would underline the feeling of progression in north London.
The next nine days give Pochettino a chance to send a message that will resound from Manchester to Madrid: Spurs are a serious threat. Take them lightly at your peril.
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