Originally written on December 13, 2020
Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur currently sit atop the English Premier League (EPL) table. For a side that was languishing in the 14th position when Mourinho had taken over in November 2019, the team’s turnaround has been remarkable.
The team’s burgeoning rise has been marked by statement wins over Manchester City, arch-rivals Arsenal, and Manchester United. Emerging from a contentious spell at United, a revitalised Mourinho has rediscovered his passion for management and is set to take Spurs to greater heights.
Tottenham will take heart from the whispers of title talk that began after they outclassed Man City on November 21. Spurs last won the Football League First Division title in 1960-61.
Outwitting Pep Guardiola and defeating Arsenal in north London derby
Mourinho took on old foe Pep Guardiola on November 21. Though Pep has often come out on top, defeating the Portuguese 11 times, Manchester City were no match for the hungry Spurs.
Despite City maintaining majority of the possession (66%) and notching up 22 shots, Tottenham were disciplined defensively and ruthless while attacking, with Son Heung-Min and Giovani Lo Celso putting the ball inside the net from the side’s 2 shots on target.
The team were similarly merciless when they downed arch-rivals Arsenal in the north London derby on December 6.
The clinical efficiency imposed by a pragmatic Mourinho paid off as Arsenal, despite maintaining 70% possession, resorted to 44 aimless crosses and were unable to find the back of the net.
The duo of Son (13 goals, 6 assists in all competitions) and Harry Kane delighted 2,000 Yids, allowed at the home stadium for the first time since March, as they assisted each other to build an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first half.
Kane and Son have combined for 31 goals, second only after Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba (36 goals) in the EPL.
Tactical style – Defensive organisation, possession & attacking
Mourinho has employed the 4-2-3-1 formation at Spurs, which he had used to great effect at Real Madrid.
Focus is laid on strong defensive organization and maintaining clean sheets – with midfielders Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg and Moussa Sissoko often dropping back to help defend the half-spaces. This allows the full-backs, Serge Aurier and Sergio Reguilon, to push higher up the pitch.
Hojbjerg (88.9% successful passes in EPL) pulls the strings from midfield and functions as a ball carrier, enabling Giovani Lo Celso/ Tanguy Ndombele to create attacks.
Spurs let the opposition keep the ball but tighten up space around the 18-yard box by maintaining a deep defensive block.
Counter-attacking is utilised to create goalscoring chances. Kane drops back from the striker position to conduct attacking play as an anchor. By doing so, he draws the opposition defenders higher up the pitch, opening up space for other attackers like Son and Steven Bergwijn, who stay close to Kane during the attacking phase. The front three are positionally fluid – changing their positions throughout matches.
Premier League title chances & other competitions
Tottenham last won a trophy in 2008, when they beat Chelsea in the League Cup. Spurs are currently ahead of Liverpool in the EPL table on goal difference, and are set to meet the Reds on December 16.
Mourinho was declared the EPL Manager of the Month for November, having last won the award 13 years ago at Chelsea.
The Portuguese has always strived to project an underdog status at his previous clubs, and he has similarly tempered expectations for the scores of title hopefuls. Following the win over Arsenal, he said, “We can lose everywhere in the Premier League, we can go to any team and lose, any team can come here and beat us. We are top of the league for one more week, which is good fun.”
The manager rotated heavily in Europa League group stages, utilising the club’s crop of young players and playing second-string squads, yet managing to finish as group winners. The rotation has ensured Tottenham have a rested squad in the running for multiple trophies.
The club’s former star, Gareth Bale, had arrived from Real Madrid on loan but was side-lined due to injury. He is sure to play a bigger role as Spurs aim for trophies.
The team remain in the hunt for the FA Cup (will take on eighth division Mariners in 3rd round) and the League Cup (will face off against Stoke City in quarter-finals).
Though it is early days yet to anoint them as title hopefuls, Mourinho’s Spurs are surely on the road of going all the way and breaking the club’s 12-year long trophy drought.
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