Three consecutive braces. 10 goals in 20 Premier League appearances. With Dele Alli hitting top form along with the rest of the Spurs team, can they go one step further than last season and win the Premier League?
The majority of people will argue that Spurs are already too far behind leaders Chelsea (7 points) to go on and win the league, but they may have more of a chance than people may think. Not only did Spurs’ 2-0 win over Chelsea highlight Dele Alli’s devastating form, it also showed significant weaknesses in the Chelsea back line that other clubs can exploit. For both of the goals, Alli pulled onto the back post and got in between Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses to head home, and this could become a blueprint for other sides to emulate. Whilst other teams may not have the quality to do so, a lot will be revealed by Chelsea’s upcoming match against Leicester to see whether it was just a blip or highlights major problems for Antonio Conte.
Even if Chelsea do slip up enough to hand the impetus to Spurs, other teams, Liverpool esepcially, who currently sit two points ahead of Spurs are looking very strong at the minute. Having said this, with Dele Alli probably being the leagues most in-form player at the moment, if Spurs can use this to their advantage and keep getting the wins, the unlikely could become possible. Many people might point towards Spurs’ collapse at the end of last season and rightly so, it showed a weak mentality throughout the club and an inexperience at the highest level to lift the trophy, but the club is slowly changing. The players are a year old, a year more mature having already experienced the pressure of being in a title race, it will put them in better stead for any future challenges – even potentially this season.
One thing Spurs do not have particularly compared to their rivals is a strong depth in squad. Injuries to the likes of Alli, Kane, Alderweireld and Dembele, the key players down the teams spine could end any potential hopes of a first league title in 56 years. Whilst other clubs have the experience, the mentality, Spurs have the power of youth and endless potential running through their side. Kane and Alli boast talent way beyond their years, and although this is likely to benefit Spurs more in future seasons, their present talent could be enough to see Spurs over the line in the current campaign.
Despite being the dark horses, an outside bet, the rest of the Premier League would be foolish to discount Spurs from lifting the Premier League trophy come May.
