New Tottenham ethos may restore table's predictability

After a 17th-place finish in 2024-25, Spurs look to have regained their confidence under Thomas Frank and will aim to secure a top-four finish once more, writes Richard Jolly

- By Richard Jolly

“It sends a message to other teams,” declared Djed Spence.

“We can beat any team.” If the message last season was that Tottenham Hotspur could lose to any team, perhaps it has been flipped. Although, some might say, any Tottenham team can beat Manchester City. Their domestic dominance may be over but in, recent years, City have lost to Spurs sides under the auspices of Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte, Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank and even Cristian Stellini.

Typical Tottenham, then, even if the phrase could have other connotations. Saturday’s terrific display against the former champions had the feel of a mission statement; not just that Spurs could win, but how they could. They were separated by 14 places last season, but 17th beat third. Spence has his sights set on a top-four finish. “Of course, there’s no reason [why not], if we perform like that week in, week out,” he added.

The performance made it seem a realistic aim. To do so, however, would fly in the face of recent history. Two decades ago, David Moyes’s Everton finished 17th one season, fourth the next. No one has done so since. There has been a more spectacular rise in the meantime, Leicester going from 14th to first, but there has been a certain familiarity about the top of many a Premier League table.