Ange Postecoglou had his first tough league night at Spurs with injuries and a big loss to Chelsea.
Ange Postecoglou has transformed the mood at Tottenham Hotspur in his first three months as manager but faces the biggest test of his short reign over the next few weeks, starting with a tricky weekend away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Before the mayhem of Monday’s home defeat against Chelsea, Wolves away would have been viewed as another opportunity for Tottenham to underline their top-four credentials.
But that 4-1 reverse, Postecoglou’s first setback in the Premier League, could cost the north London club more than a return to top spot and the loss of three points.
A tumultuous derby ended with Tottenham having only four of their starting line-up left on the pitch.
They lost their central defensive partnership as Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card while Micky van de Ven had to be helped off the pitch after a hamstring injury.
Destiny Udogie was also sent off for a second yellow card after the interval and James Maddison, the fulcrum of Tottenham’s best start to a Premier League season, was also taken off after turning his ankle.
Add to that striker Richarlison having to undergo pelvic surgery and some might think the wheels were wobbling on Tottenham’s bandwagon.
Bizarrely, though, the nature of defeat was greeted with optimism by Tottenham fans who watched their nine-man side go toe-to-toe with Chelsea and have several chances to equalise before stoppage time goals by Nicolas Jackson finished them off.
Playing a high line even after having their team decimated might have looked self-destructive, but it epitomised the philosophy that Postecoglou has instilled in his players.
“That’s just who we are, we would still be having a go with five players,” Postecoglou said.
But the reality is, that with so much disruption to his starting line-up, a trip to Wolves on Saturday, followed after the international break by a home game with dangerous Aston Villa and a trip to Manchester City, are three games that could potentially undo so much of Tottenham’s good work.
Victory at 14th placed Wolves would see Tottenham move two points clear of Manchester City at least until Sunday when the leaders travel to Chelsea.
Chelsea’s victory at Spurs, in which Jackson scored a hat-trick, was Mauricio Pochettino’s biggest result since taking over in the summer, yet it was rather lost in all the mayhem.
A home game against City will perhaps say a lot more about whether or not Chelsea have turned a corner.
Tenth-placed Chelsea have struggled at home, winning only one of their six games at Stamford Bridge, that against promoted Luton Town back in August.
Manchester United’s late 1-0 victory at Fulham last weekend eased a little pressure on manager Erik Ten Hag but he found himself immediately back under the microscope on Wednesday after losing 4-3 at FC Copenhagen in the Champions League despite at one stage leading 2-0 thanks to Rasmus Hojlund’s double.
Anything less than victory against Luton on Saturday will have the alarm bells ringing again for the Dutchman.
Fourth-placed Arsenal host Burnley on Saturday while Liverpool, who are third on goal difference, entertain Brentford on Sunday.
