A Tale of Two Christmases
This time last year we had also played 17 games of the Premier League programme. It is interesting to compare the relative results and tables.
Last year Spurs had beaten Burnley 2-1 with goals by Harry Kane and a cracker by Erik Lamela. We finished the week-end in seventh place, behind Arsenal only on goal difference with 27 points, two less than we have this year. This year, despite all our achievement, and Arsenal's injuries so far, we are in fourth place, but seven points behind "The Others". I do fear what they might do this season.
Leicester's progress over the last year has been well documented and noted by all football fans, but it is worth recounting that at Christmas last year they sat bottom of the table with only 10 points, seemingly destined for the drop. "The Foxes" were still bottom as late as April 18th, with six games to play. Nigel Pearson's team (for he was in charge then) had started winning though (three consecutive games), and would win four more games to ensure survival.
Since March 21st 2015, Leicester have lost only two games. Once at home to Champions-elect Chelsea on 29th April, and this season, at home to Arsenal 5-2. The only reason Claudio Ranieri's side are out of the League Cup is because they lost in a penalty shoot-out at Hull. They've won six of their last seven games, beating Chelsea at home and Everton away in their last two. They have to be regarded as title contenders.
As for Chelsea, last Christmas, they sat top of the league, but this year they are twenty points off the top, and eleven behind Spurs. It does look as if they might pick up now, after Jose Mourinho's departure.
Two of last year's bottom three did get relegated, and the third team to go down was in 16th place. This year, Villa are more distant from survival than Leicester were, and their prospects do not look good, even with a new coach, Remi Garde.
What should Spurs' aspirations be as we approach Christmas and a potentially exciting 2016? Well, clearly, their ambition should be the very highest, and whilst Mauricio Pochettino understandably will not want to voice such thoughts, top four is the very least we should be aiming for. After all, we only now have to match the results of all those chasing us at present!
This time last year Mousa Dembele was an unused substitute, and over the course of the season, he rarely got 90 minutes. Mousa has had his injury problems, of course, but he has played 90 minutes in his last five games (all in the Premier League). They are games that Spurs have not lost, and they are games in which Dembele has been man of the match twice. That is the case this week, although he only just edged out goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and goal scorer Harry Kane, both of whom had memorable moments.
Dembele has found a niche now starting just in front of the defence, but with the freedom to come forward, thanks to the presence of Eric Dier. He even had his name chanted towards the end of Saturday's game at St. Mary's. He might not have had a moment of magic like Lloris and Kane, but he has become consistent and impactive in this Spurs team. Long may that continue!
And could it be? Could it be?
That Spurs could win the League for you and me?
You have to have a dream. One day it may come true. Audere est Facere
Happy Christmas to you all, and may your dreams come true in 2016!
· See the spursometer in full.
Results 19-21.12.15
Chelsea 3-1 S'derland
Everton 2-3 Leicester
Man Utd 1-2 Norwich
S'hampton 0-2 Spurs
Stoke 1-2 C. Palace
West Bom 1-2 B'mouth
Newcastle 1-1 A. Villa
Watford 3-0 Liverpool
Swansea 0-0 West Ham
Arsenal 2-1 Man City
Barclays Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Leicester 17 11 5 1 37-24 13 38
2. Arsenal 17 11 3 3 31-14 17 36
3. Man City 17 10 2 5 33-19 14 32
4. Spurs 17 7 8 2 28-14 14 29
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5. Man Utd 17 8 5 4 22-14 8 29
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6. C. Palace 17 9 2 6 23-16 7 29
7. Watford 17 8 4 5 21-16 5 28
8. West Ham 17 6 7 4 25-21 4 25
9. Liverpool 17 6 6 5 20-22 -2 24
10. Everton 17 5 8 4 31-24 7 23
11. Stoke 17 6 5 6 14-16 -2 23
12. S'hampton 17 5 6 6 21-21 0 21
13. West Brom 17 5 5 7 17-23 -6 20
14. B'mouth 17 5 4 8 22-32 -10 19
15. Chelsea 17 5 3 9 21-27 -6 18
16. Norwich 17 4 5 7 20-29 -9 17
17. Newcastle 17 4 5 8 19-32 -13 17
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18. Swansea 17 3 6 8 15-24 -9 15
19. S'derland 17 3 3 11 18-33 -15 12
20. A. Villa 17 1 4 12 14-31 -17 7
