5 Days, 2 Wins, 4 Goals: Things Looking Up for Tottenham After Europa League

Tottenham Hotspur's ship is righted after a pair of victories in the Premier League and Europa League respectively. 

If the 1-0 win over Sunderland was fortunate, and perhaps it was, the 3-1 defeat of Azerbaijani champions Qarabag was altogether more comfortable. It could have been much worse for the Horsemen as Spurs ran riot late in the first half and throughout the second. 

A brace for Heung-Min Son, another encouraging display from Erik Lamela and debuts for Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Clinton Njie rounded out a fine evening for Spurs. 

Son's debut against the Black Cats was positive, but in a central role in Europe, he flourished. Son's mazy dribbling style is likely to come in handy against similarly packed defences in the Premier League. 

There were many stars, but Dele Alli shone brightest as the teenager continues to impress with his skillful, fearless performances.

His assist for Son's second goal in almost as many minutes showed great technical ability and the poise that marks him out as a sensational young player. Spurs have a real star in Alli, and he now presents Mauricio Pochettino with the positive dilemma of finding a place for him in his strongest lineup. 

It was vital that, after a winless first four games of their season, Spurs begin to find their way in an important early period. 

After all, they could so easily be in a mini-crisis by now. 

Defeat to Sunderland, not impossible in a game that waxed and waned as both sides groped their way through, would have left Spurs just one point outside the relegation zone. Qarabag's early 1-0 lead could have produced one of the great European upsets, and that would have prompted significant introspection with a pair of derby matches in coming days. 

Defeat to the Azerbaijani side would have been a disaster. 

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Spurs were made to work harder than expected for their victory, but Qarabag's indomitability provided a platform for Lamela, Son, Alli and Andros Townsend to impress.  

By the end of the match, there was an evident gulf between the two sides with the late introductions of Harry Kane and Njie providing added impetus as Tottenham tired. 

Kane provided an assist for Lamela's goal that underlined his quick-thinking nature. It might have been hoped that a return to his favourite habitat might have sparked Kane's goal-scoring form, but he remains scoreless, now after six appearances. 

Njie was nominally deployed on the flank but moved centrally when Kane dropped deeper, posing a threat to Qarabag's eagerly advancing defensive line. The Cameroonian looks to be a dangerous prospect and could find his niche as a super-sub early in his Tottenham career. 

Neither Danny Rose nor Trippier enjoyed faultless outings and both can expect to face Crystal Palace from the substitute's bench. Spurs' full-backs were repeatedly guilty of losing possession, but both showed their quality coming forward.

Trippier's first appearance was blotted by errors in possession and a needlessly conceded penalty, but he refused to be cowed by early jitters and grew steadily into the game. Rose also redeemed himself somewhat with typically energetic tackling, but Kyle Walker and Ben Davies will surely retain their first-team places for now. 

Attention turns now to Sunday's visit of Crystal Palace and Wednesday's Arsenal clash. 

Eric Dier was withdrawn after 76 minutes, having suffered a seemingly painful injury. If he is ruled out, he will join Spurs' burgeoning midfield injury list. 

Nabil Bentaleb, Christian Eriksen, Ryan Mason and Mousa Dembele are all struggling, and were Dier to join them, it would create difficulties for Pochettino. The Argentinian may be forced to push one of his central defenders into midfield if Dier is missing against Palace.

When domestic football was halted for the September international break, Spurs were in an awkward position in which their points tally did not reflect their performances. Common sense dictated that things would turn around, but there is not always room for logic in football. 

Now there is cause for renewed optimism around White Hart Lane. 

The north London derby just days away will be a significant test for Tottenham. Pochettino must manage his squad through this difficult run of fixtures, but so far things couldn't be going better.