The pressure is off but Spurs can have a big say in title race

Top three still to come for Postecoglou’s men

- Dan Kilpatrick

TOTTENHAM leapfrogged Aston Villa with an entertaining win over Nottingham Forest last night, and there is every indication that this should be a engaging battle for fourth between two exciting but flawed sides, both with a handful of big games to come.

And yet there is a distinct lack of jeopardy to Spurs's run-in, a consequence of fifth place almost certainly being enough for a place in the revamped Champions League next season.

With Manchester United now trailing Spurs and Villa by 11 points with seven games remaining, in all likelihood both clubs will be in Europe's top competition next term, leaving their run-ins feeling a little like a procession.

For the neutrals, and even many Spurs fans, more pressing than where they actually finish is the impact they could have on what is shaping up to be one of the greatest title races in Premier League history, with Ange Postecoglou's side still to play each of the top three again.