Tottenham’s staying power in question as economic gravity pulls hard | Jonathan Wilson

Mauricio Pochettino has given Spurs an identity and some great memories but the constant need for renewal, and the fear of losing ground to richer rivals, gives them a uniquely precarious look

Gravity can be annoyingly persistent. Mauricio Pochettino, as so often, said all the right things after Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday. He is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Manchester City. He is “positive”. He promised Tottenham will “enjoy it”. They will go to the Etihad Stadium to win. Which is all well and good. Perhaps Tottenham will end both Manchester City’s run of 15 successive league wins and their own miserable record in away games against other top-six sides. Perhaps they will, at least temporarily, return a flicker of excitement to a title race that seems all but run. However, there is a lurking sense that none of it really matters.

It doesn’t matter because City are too good, because they could lose not only on Saturday but also at Anfield, the Emirates Stadium and Wembley, and Manchester United would still have to avoid defeat against City and win their other 20 games this season to secure the title. And it doesn’t matter because Spurs are haunted by teleological dread.

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