Much of the focus was inevitably on Manchester City\u2019s complete collapse from a position of strength, but their conquerors at White Hart Lane deserve an awful amount of credit for their 4-1 win against the then-league leaders on Saturday afternoon. The phrase \u2018typical Tottenham\u2019, referring to Spurs\u2019 perceived soft centre and propensity to fail to live up to expectations, is no longer so applicable.<\/p>\n
Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s side struggled in their first four matches of the campaign, losing to Manchester United and drawing with Stoke City, Everton and Leicester City. While the results were lacking, Tottenham\u2019s performances arguably deserved a better points return, and it is no real surprise that they have since gone on to register three consecutive Premier League wins over Sunderland, Crystal Palace and City.<\/p>\n
The most impressive of those victories was undoubtedly Saturday\u2019s destruction of Manuel Pellegrini\u2019s side. City were in cruise control in the first half, taking a deserved lead through Kevin De Bruyne after 25 minutes.<\/p>\n
Eric Dier\u2019s excellent strike on the stroke of half time proved to be a turning point, but not many people would have expected City to crumble so spectacularly after the break. Goals from Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and a vastly-improved Eric Lamela secured a terrific result for Spurs, who are now just one point outside the top four after seven matches.<\/p>\n
Tottenham have always been associated with a certain flair and panache; while that was certainly not lacking in their flamboyant second-half display on Saturday, there is also a greater degree of grit and steel present in this current Spurs outfit, a sense of substance to go along with the style.<\/p>\n
This was in evidence at times last term, with Tottenham winning 17 points from losing positions and avoiding defeat in 13 of their 19 Premier League away games.<\/p>\n
It has continued into the current campaign too, with Spurs possessing the joint-best defensive record \u2013 their defence has been breached on just five occasions, the same as league\u00a0leaders\u00a0Manchester United.<\/p>\n
Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have struck up a promising partnership in the heart of the backline, with Dier\u2019s conversion from a right-back into a holding midfielder a resounding success so far.<\/p>\n
That solid base at the back has provided a foundation for Tottenham\u2019s creative players to flourish.<\/p>\n
Christian Eriksen\u2019s return from injury for the clash with City was significant, with the Dane bringing craft and inventiveness to the hosts\u2019 play. Son Heung-min has made a fine start to his career at White Hart Lane, moreover, while Lamela has finally begun to recapture the form he displayed at Roma.<\/p>\n