Tottenham Beat Manchester United, Show They're Set for Long-Term Success

Tottenham Hotspur were more or less evenly matched for the first hour of their 3-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday, but a six-minute blitz showed the gulf in quality between the two sides. 

Kick-off was held up 30 minutes after United's bus arrived late, but they started the better with Spurs perhaps stifled by the delay.

Michael Carrick rolled back the years in the opening period, striding about White Hart Lane, dictating play as he did in his pomp.

Jan Vertonghen returned to action after two-and-a-half months on the sidelines, but his combination with compatriot Toby Alderweireld was as strong as ever. It had to be, as Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial looked dangerous as they pounced on Tottenham's uncharacteristically loose passing.

Spurs don't possess the division's finest defensive record in the Premier League—25 goals conceded—by luck. 

They resisted United's strong period and gradually took control. They were the better side before half-time but improved drastically in the second-half as the visitors sagged. 

Dele Alli, taking full advantage of a masterful pass from Christian Eriksen, got the crucial opening goal in the 70th minute. Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela rapidly completed the scoring. 

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Eric Dier's strength, Alli's energy, Eriksen's guile and Mousa Dembele's capacity to contribute in all areas combined to overwhelm United. 

The swiftness with which Spurs took control was an expression of their evolution across this season. 

The reverse fixture, which fell on the opening day, saw Tottenham outplay their opponents but stutter in delivery of the decisive line.

Spurs should have won but failed to do so, with United snatching a scarcely deserved victory. 

That Tottenham team was a fraction of what it has become.

In those opening weeks of this campaign, Spurs reflected more of the frustrating shortcomings of previous incarnations.

In previous seasons, they would not have had the mental strength to lift their performance and overcome a determined opposition.

The fact Tottenham had failed to beat United at home in 15 consecutive seasons is indicative of the limitations of previous vintages.

The defeat to United, the collapse against Stoke City and the sterility of the goalless draw at home to Everton gave only limited indications of what was to come.

Last season, there were flashes of that quality. 

The 5-3 hammering of Chelsea and the 2-1 win over Arsenal at White Hart Lane underlined the potential of Pochettino's squad. 

Pochettino has crafted a team with the best defence, the best attack and the most attractive play in the league.

Despite that progress, any real hopes of securing the title this season seem remote.

Leicester City remain seven points clear at the top.

The Foxes face a difficult fixture list, but Spurs would need to outperform them by a significant margin over a similarly tricky run of games.

Happily, UEFA Champions League football is all but secured with a 12-point break to United in fifth. 

That alone is beyond pre-season expectations.

Tottenham can simultaneously feel disappointed to miss out on the league title and remain delighted at a second-place finish if they can retain their position through the closing weeks of the season.

Regardless of their final league position this season, they are the best-placed team going into the next campaign.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

It would be unwise to underestimate the combination of Pep Guardiola's genius and Manchester City's immense wealth or Chelsea's potential resurgence under the guidance of Antonio Conte, but neither has the continuity Spurs will have. 

Tottenham need make no additions to their starting lineup over the summer while all their rivals are set for significant overhauls.

If Spurs are able to retain their key players and manager, they will be ranked among the favourites to win the Premier League next season.

They began so slowly, collecting just three points from the first four games. But they have since picked up points at a rate comparable with usual champions (approximately 2.2 points per game).

Pochettino has constructed a team that is set to endure at the top of the Premier League. 

Only Jan Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Dembele and Hugo Lloris are beyond 25. Alli, Dier, Eriksen and Harry Kane are 24 or younger. 

That young core has improved immeasurably across a single season and possesses immense potential to grow further.

The immense steps taken throughout this season can be seen in the outcome of their two meetings with Manchester United.

Where they stumbled on the opening weekend, this time around they rode the challenge presented by Van Gaal's team and then blew them away. 

After another pre-season under Pochettino, the burgeoning talents of this squad could build something truly special.