Can Tottenhamn Continue to Do More With Less?

In the moments following Roberto Firmino’s 90th minute heroic header - while he’s running the full length of the field showing off his obscenely white teeth in an ear to ear smile - Tottenham fans collectively started to question the prospect of a title challenge.

It’s not because as Spurs fans we are looking up at the table instead of down for the first time in some weeks; nor is it because of a poor performance. The doubt that crept into our minds in that moment stems from the weeks of talking heads questioning our pragmatic and defensive approach, which, up until now, we’ve been able to ignore.

Aside from a few notable results, Spurs have collected points through attrition and guile. Go on, you can keep the ball all game. We are more than happy to lull you to sleep while you cross the ball in for the 40th time. One clearance and outlet pass later and Spurs are on the break. More times than not, It’s resulted in a goal; but how much longer can we rely on Son and Kane to convert chances at historically clinical rates?

Tottenham had four big chances against Liverpool, who managed two score two goals despite none of them being classified as big chances. The game was there for the taking and we just didn’t execute. After the game, Jose Mourinho told Jurgen Klopp that the better team lost. While the stats back him up conventional wisdom does not - but that’s the charm of a man who has made a career out of defying convention.

Tottenham have made it through the most difficult stretch of games this season to find themselves in second place, and having learned a few difficult lessons along the way. The progression of the squad in terms of mentality and execution in just three and a half months has been remarkable.

Only time will tell whether Mourinho can keep grinding out results in this fashion. Pundits will say that it’s negative football; that a team of Tottenham’s quality and ambition should be controlling games against weaker opposition.

Who knows, maybe at the end of the year Jose will be parking a different kind of bus by the end of the year. One with an open top and a Premier League Trophy being passed around. It is, after all, Jose’s second season in charge.