But where is Tottenham Hotspur when the stakes are high?
Tottenham Hotspur went through the summer transfer window without signing any new players. On one end, it meant no work will be needed to work on team chemistry. On the other hand, is the risk the improvement to the quality of players in the team would go undone.
Currently in 5th place in the league standings behind both of their London arch-rivals.
Tottenham Hotspur started the 2018/19 Premier League season with three wins that included a ‘3-0’ victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford. But when it mattered the most, Tottenham has fallen short of getting the results that will put them over the line.
The 3-0 victory against Manchester United came at a time when United had dropped points in defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion from the previous fixture that left them vulnerable with a point to prove at home. Despite Manchester United dominated the major parts of the match, Tottenham’s calmness as a team and clinical attack got them the right result. To an extent, it was a match of more importance to Manchester United than it was to Tottenham.
Tottenham has struggled to keep up with the competition when the stakes are higher.
Watford 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (September 2, 2018) Premier League
After success at Old Trafford, Tottenham remained perfect in the season after 4 matches and had to extend that run against a Watford team that was going against the odds by also winning their opening 3 games. The ‘3-0’ victory, last season’s finish in the league and the quality on the team made Tottenham the clear favorite ahead of the match.
With the expectations high, Tottenham blew their perfect start to the season after failing to win against Watford and suffered a defeat that saw Watford secure their fourth win of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool (September 15, 2018) Premier League
They made it a consecutive Premier League defeat when they were beaten at home by Liverpool. Granted that Liverpool is currently one of the sides that can take on any of the best teams in the world, Tottenham is expected to make home advantage count.
Inter Milan 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (September 18, 2018) UEFA Champions League
They suffered a third straight ‘2-1’ defeat when they allowed Inter Milan to come from a goal down to win with two late goals in their opening match of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League. In a Champions League group that includes FC Barcelona, letting a match go by without getting any point from it makes it a steep climb to get the promotion to the knock-out stage.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-4 Barcelona (October 3, 2018) UEFA Champions League
As expected by many, Barcelona was going to be a tough opposition. Tottenham is beaten at home by FC Barcelona to leave them with a no point in their Champions League group after two matches played.
PSV Eindhoven 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur(October 24, 2018) UEFA Champions League
Tottenham failed to get the maximum points against the team that is suppose to be the weakest in the group. A draw with PSV Eindhoven was the first point on the board for both sides in their Champions League group. The maximum points both teams can secure in the group is reduced to 10 points, while Barcelona is currently with 9 points and Inter Milan is with 6 points in the group.
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Manchester City (October 29, 2018) Premier League
Defeat to Manchester City is not a shocking result for any team in the Premier League, but Tottenham had enough chances for a team with their quality to get something from a match and deny Manchester City from opening a 5-point gap between the two sides. It was a defeat that denied Tottenham a chance of getting in the ‘top four’ in the league standings.
Is being the best out of the rest good enough for Tottenham Hotspur? Or are they a team that is going to push to be one of the best amongst the best.
The next fixtures for Tottenham
UEFA Champions League – vs PSV Eindhoven on November 6th, 2018, a London Derby in the Premier League against Chelsea on November 24th, 2018, another UEFA Champions League fixture with Inter Milan four days later, then an even bigger London Derby against Arsenal on December 2, 2018.
