Tottenham Hotspur Set for Test of Title Credentials After Win over Watford
WHITE HART LANE, London — Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Watford will not go down as the most memorable of their 2015-16 campaign, lacking as it did the cachet of a derby victory or distinguishing drama like their late snatching of three points against the Hornets in December.
What it did offer was as apt a representation as any win this season of their burgeoning title credentials—a potential claim on the Premier League crown that is set for its next substantial test away at Manchester City next weekend.
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By the time Kieran Trippier gave Tottenham a deserved 64th minute lead, their upcoming visit to the Etihad Stadium had been reframed somewhat by Leicester City's 3-1 quasi-upset of Manuel Pellegrini's men earlier on Saturday.
Arriving at the White Hart Lane press lounge during that game, you were greeted by the sight of rapt journalists watching one of the most significant results of the season unfold. Inside the ground a few minutes later, some fans already in their seats excitedly announced Leicester's third goal, prompting a disbelieving steward nearby to check he was hearing correctly.
Spurs against Man City remains a match with Premier League title implications (see the table snippet above). The latter are only a point behind their next visitors and plenty more opportunities remain for both (or Arsenal) to overhaul the Foxes, too.
But at a point where it felt like knowhow from previous experiences would inform a timely reiteration of the Citizen's mettle (like the kind seen in their outstanding Capital One Cup rebound against Everton), the north-west club have instead suffered another concerning bout of inconsistency. Their season has been a pattern of typically irresistible attacking displays punctuated by inept capitulations, including their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham in September.
Whether Spurs are about to face the side that has inflicted so many damaging, often humiliating blows to them on the road in recent years (including a costly hit to title aspirations back in 2012) will matter little to head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Beating the wounded Manchester club and catching this irresistible Leicester outfit is going to require the same levels of quality and perseverance they showed once again versus Watford.
"It’s real that we are in a very good position but we need to keep working and don’t think too much on the future," Pochettino told his post-match press conference, "only the next game to be ready to compete in the same way we compete today."
The components of Tottenham's performance were just about all in order for this, combining for "a great team performance," as described by captain Hugo Lloris (above).
The new centre-back partnership of Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer was aided initially by Quique Sanchez Flores' decision to rest his skipper Troy Deeney—the Watford talisman had not trained and the Spaniard was hesitant to risk him in what he knew would be a demanding game. Odion Ighalo was left isolated, and the two defenders comfortably swept up.
Deeney's half-time introduction produced more notable attacking forays from the Hornets. Yet, bar one stoppage time incursion ruled offside, the Spurs defence remained well prepared for them. Alderweireld and Wimmer more than once beat the opposing duo to the punch in an encouraging showcase for the reliability of their nascent pairing.
Flores' post-match depiction of Tottenham's attacking prowess was in danger of rendering him like a beleaguered army general. His inherent continental suaveness (by English football standards, anyway) was almost offset by his analysis of Watford's helpless overwhelming by the enemy.
"They play really well and create space in [an] amazing way," said Flores. "When we try to defend them inside they open the pitch. When we try to go to the sides they put the ball inside."
Watford's resistance held for the best part of an hour. Like so often before, Spurs' attacking midfield ran into a brick wall on the edge of the box while striker Harry Kane toiled in search of space.
Ultimately, the away team were undone by Spurs' stretching of the game and those quick, wearying interchanges via full-backs Ben Davies and Trippier. The former took the lead with penetrative penalty box runs in the first-half, and the latter instigated and capitalised on his team's post-interval dominance of the right flank with successive crosses (10 overall, as tallied by Squawka).
Fatigued by their scrambling to deal with all this, Watford were just about powerless to resist Trippier's goal—a fittingly decisive reward for his and his team's efforts.
Kane's smart layoff for Dembele in his own half was typical of the forward's willingness to search for alternative means of involvement. Bursting forward, the Belgian, who was solid as ever in midfield alongside Eric Dier, was too quick in thought and feet, sending substitute Dele Alli forward down the left.
Though Spurs probed in the final third with commendable patience, the rested youngster's usual thrust and energy had been missed. Here, Alli's low cross was too hot for Erik Lamela, but it was just right for Trippier's well-timed chancing of another forward run.
Altogether, it was another thoroughly convincing display by Tottenham.
Though proud of his team, Pochettino was understandably keen not to get too carried away with talk of a title push. Flores had no such qualms when asked about the north Londoners' prospects.
"They have a very clear plan and they play very well, they have very good technical players, they defend well," the Watford coach said. "They have everything one team needs to try to be champions."
Should Tottenham come through examination by a surely remotivated Manchester City unscathed, despite their troubles in such games this year, they will firmly join Leicester in being regarded as legitimate title contenders.
As it has been for the Foxes, it will make for an unexpected, but well-deserved enhancement of their status.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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