For the second year in a row, Tottenham Hotspur were the last team obstructing the eventual Premier League champions from their inevitable glory. Spurs aren’t mathematically dead yet, but their shock upset loss at West Ham United effectively sealed their fate. Spurs seemed destined for second place now.
Current table toppers Chelsea can extend their lead to seven points with three games to go Monday night when they host penultimate Middlesbrough on Monday night. Then the Blues take on mid-table West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns next Friday, with a very likely chance of officially clinching the title.
It’s “de-ja vu all over again” as Spurs saw their title hopes dashed in a weeknight clash against a London rival. Once again it comes in the first week of May, almost to the day. Last season it was Chelsea who finished Tottenham off, in a 2-2 draw that was marred by numerous ugly incidents and disturbing physical altercations. Tottenham spent most of last season in second place, but faltered in mid to late May, and finished third.
They have a big enough cushion over both Manchester City and Liverpool that second place seems inevitable.
Said Tottenham Manager Mauricio Pochettino after the loss to the Hammers.
“If we win the league it is because you learn, and if you finish second it is because you improve but I think it is a big topic in football. You need to show that you can show up in the moment to win a league, to win a trophy. Today was a key moment that we can show that it is not about playing well and not about running more or less. It’s about when you must win, you win.”
“If you want to be a champion in our game, you must win. How? I don’t know. For me we have to try to move on and finish in the best way the season and still fight. Now, to be realistic, it is more difficult than before.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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