Alex Lee
Tottenham are the first team in Premier League history to score the first goal in five successive matches without winning any of them.
Following the conclusion of Matchweek 10 on October 29, Tottenham Hotspur were two points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. Six games later, they have fallen to fifth place. Disappointing losses against Chelsea, Wolves, Aston Villa, and West Ham have resulted in the Spurs taking only four points from a possible 18. These points came from their 3-3 draw against Manchester City and 4-1 win over Newcastle. Over this poor stretch, the team set an unwanted record. They became the first in Premier League history to lose three consecutive home games despite having a 1-0 lead in each match.
Their sudden downfall can be attributed to long-term injuries to key players. Their current injured list includes Ivan Perisic, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Micky van de Ven, Ryan Sesessgon, Eric Dier, and more. Many of these players became key starters for Spurs over the early part of the season, such as James Maddison, who provided eight goal contributions in 11 games before suffering a severe ankle injury. Micky van de Ven was also having a stellar season, quickly becoming one of the first names in the starting XI following his move from Wolfsburg in Germany. These injuries forced the Spurs to field an unfamiliar team that lacked conviction and chemistry. The spontaneous combination of inexperienced players like Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson, age 21 and 22, respectively, mixed with older players like Ben Davies, led to a team that desperately needed familiarity and identity.
Moving ahead, Spurs and their fans can look forward to the return of Maddison and van de Ven, who are both expected to return shortly into the new year. Considering the returns of these players along with their current position in the table, the team should remain hopeful about their chances of competing for a Champions League spot and potential Premier League title.
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