Tottenham Have Shown They Are Ready for a Top-Four Push This Season

Tottenham Hotspur's win over Sheffield United in the League Cup semi-final was supposed to be easy. 

This is Spurs we're talking about, so it wasn't nearly so straightforward. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

After Christian Eriksen's utterly astonishing free-kick put Spurs two goals ahead on aggregate, the Blades flipped the tie with two quick goals. Eriksen settled things with another brilliant goal from Harry Kane's astute pass and Spurs were into the final.

What Tottenham have demonstrated, not just in defeating a League One side over two legs but in the wider context of their season so far, is that they are ready to take on the challenge of the Premier League's top four.

In Harry Redknapp's last season, Spurs were as balanced a force as they had been for years. With Gareth Bale growing as a goalscorer, Scott Parker's maturity giving the midfield poise and Luka Modric providing unmatched creativity, they were third in January and flirting with an unlikely title challenge. 

Unfortunately, an agonising 3-2 defeat against Manchester City laid out the flaws. Jermain Defoe, whose sliding attempt would have won the match for Spurs, lacked the requisite quality. Ledley King, whose near decade of superhuman performances seemed to catch up with him the instant he tackled Mario Balotelli to give away the decisive penalty, could no longer be Tottenham's defensive Superman. 

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The next two seasons were spent in permanent transition. The departure of Harry Redknapp, the retirement of Ledley King and the sales of Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart left a void of experience and quality. Gareth Bale was almost able to bridge the gap alone, but he too succumbed to the attractions of the Spanish capital and joined Modric at Real Madrid. 

Andre Villas-Boas was crushed by the sale and the subsequent acquisition of a host of players he hadn't wanted, as reported by Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail. His immature reaction to that adversity, coupled with poor results, saw him also depart the club. 

Spurs have been fourth, fifth and sixth in the last three seasons. The apparent slide back toward mediocrity has been arrested and then some.

Mauricio Pochettino, brought in from Southampton to build a new spirit and a new team, was the long-term choice for manager. It seemed Daniel Levy was finally looking beyond immediate results. Pochettino wasn't expected to insert his Tottenham side into the top-four conversation in his first season. 

Low expectations have helped Pochettino work without pressure. 

Now, though, those expectations have been adjusted and Spurs are right in the mix for next season's Champions League.

Hugo Lloris has demonstrated greater quality than any other goalkeeper in the world this season. Manuel Neuer and perhaps David de Gea may be superior players, but neither has been tested as often and retained a virtually unblemished reputation.

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel demonstrated in years gone by what impact a truly outstanding goalkeeper can have. Spurs are exceptionally well served in that area.

Their back line has improved rapidly, and with the caveat that Younes Kaboul be allowed nowhere near it, Spurs now possess an excellent defence. The return of Kyle Walker at right-back provides drive and penetration while Ben Davies gives a more considered option on the left flank.

Ahead of them, youngsters Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb continue to demonstrate they can mix it with the best midfields in England. Bentaleb's continued absence on Algeria duty is regrettable, but the improving Mousa Dembele and Paulinho offer credible cover.

It is Eriksen and Kane that give Spurs their genuine aspirations. The pair have proved to be match-winners individually and in tandem. 

Tottenham's starting lineup is the equal of any of their rivals for the seemingly open third and fourth places in the Premier League. Chelsea and Manchester City exist in another world but Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Southampton are all beatable.

The looming north London derby will be an excellent barometer of those credentials. 

There are limitations to Spurs' squad. Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor do not appear capable of delivering the goals if Kane's tally stalls. The absence of Nacer Chadli on compassionate leave has also exposed a lack of credible options on the left wing, and Eriksen's nominal posting to that position does little to help the team's balance.

Their rivals also possess flaws, and in Pochettino, Spurs have a manager who has demonstrably prepared his side better than the teams around them this campaign. The infamously demanding training sessions and complex tactical instructions brought derision when Spurs were struggling in September. That is no longer the case. 

The consistency with which Pochettino's selections have extracted unlikely late wins speaks to the quality of his physical and mental preparations. It is also an excellent habit that can serve to undermine the opposition's confidence.

This opportunity has come ahead of schedule. A run of difficult fixtures begins when Arsenal come to White Hart Lane in early February. West Ham United and Liverpool are Spurs' next two opponents. 

The decisive fixture could be the mid-March trip to Old Trafford to face Louis van Gaal's United. 

A Wembley final and an ongoing Europa League campaign also stand in the way of Spurs' top-four push. 

Certainly, Spurs are not favourites to beat their better financed rivals into one of those final two places, but they are certainly capable.

It won't be easy, but with Spurs, nothing ever is.