Emotionally drained? The VAR debate

Spurs progressed to the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup with a thrilling penalty shootout victory over fierce London rivals Chelsea at White Hart Lane. The derby was full of fight and emotion from the players and mass celebration at its conclusion, with the only negative being that the fans couldn’t be present to create the fiery atmosphere a game of this magnitude deserves. It was however not the lack of fans that made the biggest impact on my experience but rather the lack of the use of the video assistant referee (VAR).

The Carabao Cup does not use VAR in its earlier rounds, and as a Spurs fan celebrating a late Erik Lamela equaliser, it dawned on me that I had not felt such positive emotion in response to a goal in a long time. While obviously there can be many comical reasons regarding Spurs form to explain this, the truth is that is was the first goal I remember being scored whereas I wasn’t waiting to see if VAR disallowed it before celebrating.

VAR has been brought in to better the game by improving officiating and to ensure that correct decisions are made, but it cannot possibly be instant or perfect. Football is a game universally loved for the emotional rollercoaster its fans embark on throughout a match, and its ability to continue to affect their emotions for the days that follow. For some, football is not just a game, it’s a passion and a belonging, and the outpour of emotion that follows a goal from your team can be unrivalled. With VAR being introduced last season this emotion gradually diminished. Early in the season fans celebrated wildly at the sight of a goal, hugging other fans while jumpng up and down, only to then see it reviewed and subsequently disallowed due to an unseen infringement minutes later. After the third or fourth time that you have celebrated a goal that doesn’t then count, you begin to stop celebrating the goal and instead wait until any checks are complete. By the time this has happened the game instantly kicks off and the moment and emotion that you could have experienced has passed.

The use of VAR means that when a goal is scored there is a hopeful cheer as many fans pause, or refuse to celebrate with vigour once seen, at the risk of being ridiculed or subsequently feeling that they have made a fool of themselves if the goal is disallowed. Football is about emotion. When you attend a football match the emotion enjoyed when the ball hits the back of the net is the moment that you’ve paid your money to experience, that sense of group delight and belonging, without which you might as well be watching at home. Even those supporters at home are hoping it is a goal rather than feeling that uncontrollable joy football can bring, so why lose all of this emotion?

A sport well known as the beautiful game; football is far more than a game in the modern world, it is a business. While sport is a test of athletic ability and skill which provides entertainment to the masses, the painful truth is that football is such big business that the financial rewards now massively outweigh those of sporting fulfilment. With this taken into account, the consequence of incorrect officiating decisions can no longer be met with the old adage that it evens itself up over the season, and are instead met with the threat of lawyers and lawsuits.

Maradona scores controversial goal with his hand not seen by the officials

Football has a history littered with injustice notably Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ to eliminate England from the World Cup, and Frank Lampard’s ‘goal that never was’, despite the fact it bounced yards over the line. The introduction of VAR and goal line technology would have eradicated both mistakes and England’s international history could have been very different.

As individual games of football have become so much more financially profitable, the level of scrutiny of officiating, and the importance of each individual game has risen to exceptional levels. In the current climate therefore, it is of paramount importance that the right decision should be made at all times. With the financial implications, owners and clubs demand this to be the case and we now live in a world where money outranks the fans.

Its introduction should lead to a world in which referees are no longer vilified for each decision they make as they have less individual power over the game. If another top level referee who is looking at replays as the game progresses doesn’t agree with their decision, the decisions gets reviewed. The hope would be that by using such methods, the players will be programmed to play within the confines of the rules due to the fear of punishment following review, whereas pre VAR they would push the boundaries of the rules, using the ‘dark arts’ to escape detection and therefore punishment.

The principle idea of VAR to make the game fairer of course is correct. Memories of sporting injustice still haunt fans all over the world and certain clubs have had their own futures negatively impacted due to incorrect decisions. It is about balance and the experience for the fan needs to be considered just as the financial implication for the owners must. To use the Premier League as an example, much of the financial gain for those clubs in this league is from TV money of companies that bank on the popularity of fans wanting to view what is thought to be the most exciting league in the world. With the lessening of positive emotion attached to football since the introduction of VAR, this will only negatively affect the viewing figures and therefore be counterproductive.

It is rare that anything other than controversy over decisions made by VAR dominate the after match analysis currently. VAR is unlike goal line technology which, other than in one technical failure, gives a 100% correct conclusion. Due to the subjective nature of many rules in football and their interpretation possibilities, we can still get decisions made by both on-field and video assistant referees that they believe are correct, but most football experts don’t agree with. It has not stopped people criticising referees and if anything has encouraged more ill feeling as fans feel they still receive the wrong decisions even with the technology. As a viewer it takes away a lot of the excitement and the negative emotion from what fans feel are unjust decisions, outweigh the positive ones that are lessened by the technology and its delays.

Of course, in modern football we must use the technology available to ensure the highest standards and the correct decisions, but in its present unperfected form, questions must be asked as to whether the positives in doing so take away the raw emotion that made us all fall in love with the game. The Carabao cup has provided a telling reminder of what we once had and the risk we are taking in making the game more robotic.

A Falling Star- Dele Alli

Gasps filled the media suite, and if reports are to be believed also the Spurs Dressing room, as Jose named his squad for Southampton, omitting Dele for the second time in a week. A player that started Jose’s reign on fire scoring 5 in 8 games, the player branded the real Dele after months of jokes suggesting he had been imitated by Dele’s brother, has now found himself frozen out from the squad. More worryingly for Dele is the apparent lack of explanation from the manager. Popular docuseries All or Nothing recently featured a similar situation in which Danny Rose was seen asking Jose for clarity of why he wasn’t starting games, having been dropped without explanation.

All indications suggested he was key to Mourinho’s plans this term, impressing in preseason and gaining high praise from his manager and teammates alike. Alli looked fully fit and hungry to prove himself. After just 45 minutes of Spurs’ opener against Everton, Dele was replaced following a dreadful team performance, and hasn’t set foot on the pitch since. The consensus being that the struggling starlet may look to depart this month, reports even suggesting he’s been offered to clubs. Questions must be asked as to how a phenomenal young player who has already achieved so much can find himself at a career crossroads, and why Mourinho may be willing to let him depart.

The year is 2017, The season has just ended with a resounding 7-1 victory away at Hull and Tottenham have secured a Premier League high 2^nd position. Spurs have unearthed a generational talent in Dele who picked up his second consecutive PFA young Player of the year award, recording 18 league goals and 7 assists from midfield; in doing so surpassing goal and assist stats at the same age of Gerrard, Scholes and Lampard combined. Another impressive season followed as Spurs made camp at Wembley. With 9 league goals and 10 assists together with an outstanding performance in the dismantling of reigning Champions League Holders Real Madrid, Dele had become a household name and a key man for his country moving in to the 2018 World Cup.

Dele Wins PFA Young Player of the Year in successive seasons

Since the World Cup the Spurs star has struggled to reach his previous heights, coinciding with Tottenham’s gradual fall from contention, and the departures from the first team of midfield mainstays Dembele and Wanyama. Dele always enjoyed a great on field connection with Harry Kane; they have combined for 16 goals in the premier league putting them 8^th on the all time assist-goal combinations up to May 2020.

It is however Harry Kane’s adaptation of his own game, in addition to Son’s emergence as a key player at Tottenham, that I believe has been detrimental to Dele’s role in the Spurs team. Kane has suffered numerous ankle injuries in recent seasons before a substantial hamstring tear caused him to miss much of the last campaign, these injuries have resulted in him losing a yard of pace. This extra yard prevents him from making bursts to the front post to convert crosses and play on the last man. In order to adapt his game and utilise his outstanding passing attribute, Kane often can be seen dropping into a deeper role than that he enjoyed earlier in his career.

3 Spain Defenders have pushed up to halfway unsure if to follow Kane

The Southampton centre back Jack Stephens has been dragged out of position by Kane dropping deep, leaving a hole for Son or Lamela to run in to

In both of the above images, Kane has dropped into the space between the centre backs and the midfield. He then encourages the wide attackers to make runs beyond him for him to play them in. The first image was months after the World Cup for England, against Spain in the Nations League, ,and is in the build up to a Sterling goal. By dropping deep he creates space for the runners to get in behind the back line as the centre backs are sucked up the pitch into a higher line wondering if to follow Kane. The pace of Rashford and Sterling can then be exploited over the top or down the channels.

In the second picture Kane has again dropped deeper to receive the ball, this time in Sunday’s Tottenham victory at Southampton. Kane has dropped into the channel between the defence and midfield and has pulled the centre back high up the pitch. This left a hole behind the centre back which Son drifts into from the left and exploits this space to receive and score one of his four goals assisted by Kane in the game.

Alli has occupied the number 10 role for Spurs in recent years in a 4-2-3-1 system, and this space that Kane is dropping into in the above examples is one you’d expect a number 10 to occupy. That lack of space impacts on Deles ability to be involved in the build-up and leaves him needing to either play deeper than he is comfortable, or further forward almost as a striker making him far easier to mark than if he were making late runs into the box.

At Alli’s peak he used to drift in from the left, rather like Son now does; timing his run to perfection to get in behind as Kane, in a higher starting point, occupied the centre backs. Spurs at this point were playing a wing back system in which Kane played up front with two of Eriksen, Son or Dele playing off of him and the wing backs providing the width.

Dele is aware that Eriksen is about to receive the ball, and looks to time his run into the box to arrive and meet the cross.

5 seconds after the still above, Dele has drifted to the back of the box behind the centre backs as Eriksen released the cross

In the top image you can see that Kane is playing high against the centre backs, making his run between them to occupy both centre backs as Eriksen receives the ball. In the next image, Dele has used Kane’s occupancy of the centre backs to drift in behind the back of them and free himself to eventually score the header.

Kane occupies both Centre Backs, Dele steals a march on right back and receives the ball unchallenged

In the above picture, once again Dele has made his run drifting from the left into the gap as Kane is occupying the two centre backs playing high up the pitch. He receives the long ball on his chest before slotting into the net after escaping the attention of the defender. With Son now playing from the left for Spurs, his ability to do this is again now limited by another player using the space he once occupied. The roles in which Dele occupied in Pochettino’s successful team are no longer as prominent in Mourinho’s system which could lead to Mourinho seeing a him as surplus to requirements.

Mourinho was non-committal on the subject on Sunday stating an imbalanced squad and the inability to fit all his attacking options on the bench as reasoning for his absence; he stated that a team is a puzzle and you cannot name 4 wingers or 3 wingers and a number 10 on the bench. He did mention however that Dele could be included in a balanced squad and that he didn’t “need” to be sacrificed, however having raved about his preseason just weeks ago one suspects we don’t know the whole story.

Spurs delighted their fans bringing home global superstar Gareth Bale just a day before the Southampton game, another world class option to add to a vast attacking pool of talent now at the club. Jose often refers to wanting 2 players for each position for a balanced squad and with the addition of Bale they have 6 players for 3 spots. With the mouth-watering prospect of Bale, Son and Kane lining up as a front 3, Jose must decide whether a number 10 of the Dele ilk suits his system moving forward. This could certainly be a reason Jose is more willing to listen to offers for the former MK Dons man. Tanguy Ndombele and Lo Celso were brought in last summer to provide creativity from the centre of the park and following Hjojberg’s arrival earlier in the window, a 433 formation seems likely to be Jose’s chosen system. This begs the question to what Dele’s best position is in that system, and whether his lack of compatibility and high sell on value make his position in the squad vulnerable.

Played as a wide forward he could use his great movement and ghost into the box with late runs to score as he has proved in the past. You would have to question however whether Dele has the pace or dribbling ability to play in that position; while being a very skilful player Dele has always relied on instinct and timing. When given lots of space and time, he tends to be lethargic and not move the ball quickly enough often turning over possession. He could also play in this system as one of a 3 in midfield. To do so, the young midfielder would need to be more tactically disciplined and comfortable taking the ball deeper, before making late runs into the box.

Dele is at his best when playing off of Harry Kane, he used Kane’s movement as a decoy to find space and make late runs into the penalty box. In addition to this, Dele was far more suited to Pochettino’s high press than the counter attack style currently employed by Mourinho. By Spurs wi,nning the ball high up the pitch there was more space and less players back to drive at in the attack. For a player who acts on instincts such as Alli, having less time to think often benefits his game.

The next two weeks will tell us whether the omission of Dele was one to prove he is not needed, or merely a Mourinho mind game used to challenge the player to rediscover his best form. It is clear that an adaptation will be needed for Alli to fit into Jose’s system and become the player once described as the best player in the world of his age, but great players to not become bad players overnight and I would not put it past the Spurs star to flourish once again.

A Rude Awakening- Spurs 0 Everton 1

Following a season in which everything possible seemed to go wrong for Tottenham, as illustrated by popular Amazon docuseries All or Nothing, Spurs fans welcomed Sunday’s opener with a refreshed sense of hope for a return to form. Much improved results following the lockdown period suggested that Mourinho’s methods were beginning to be absorbed and together with some smart premier league experienced signings, called for renewed optimism and expectation in Jose’s first full season.

These feelings were extinguished by 6:30 on Sunday evening as a dark cloud of realisation began to resonate, with the same issues remaining that had dogged the team last year. Tottenham looked lethargic and short of creativity from the off and still look lightyears from the tenacious, free flowing side which lit up the league under Pochettino’s stewardship.

While one should not take away from an impressive performance from a visiting Everton side boasting 3 new signings in midfield, the result will have been a nasty shock to all associated within the club. Worse was to follow the final whistle with a noticeable lack of interest from top players and defeatist body language aplenty. In addition to this, Mourinho’s press conference was particularly scathing in which he questioned the “lazy press”, commitment and desire of the players in just their first league game, making sure also to cite a lack of preseason as an excuse.

It is particularly worrying that a team facing a possible 8 games in 20 days would look so short of energy and cohesion; the early morale hit certainly will provide further challenge to Mourinho. One positive that so many games in quick succession will bring however, is opportunities for those on the fringes of the first team to stake their claim, and to build their own match fitness which may prove vital when creating competition for places currently lacking.

This brings me to the game itself; most fans and pundits will have guessed the starting XI with the only question marks being whether new signings came straight into the side. Doherty and Hoijberg both started in a side that, pre-game, fans seemed happy to see. Doherty took over from Aurier in a marauding right back come right winger role, aiming to get forward and often occupying the left back. In the opening half, though he found himself caught out defensively too far up the pitch on occasion, he looked more incisive in forward positions than Aurier and perhaps should have opened the scoring following a beautiful lofted Kane pass. Hoijberg brought good energy and made 9 interceptions amongst various ball recoveries, illustrating some traits that attracted the club to the signing. He was however slightly wasteful in possession and found himself often as the more advanced of the central midfield two alongside Winks. This was indicative of Spurs problems first half as in possession they struggled to move to ball forward with any tempo, looking more dangerous on the counter attack as the two midfielders passed sideways and backwards rather than looking for penetrative forward passes.

Though they didn’t dominate possession, Tottenham managed to look dangerous when in transition. Dele while losing the ball on occasion was occupying good pockets of space, offering an option between the lines which in turn created room for Son and Lucas. One particular counter attack led to Son playing Dele in on goal, when perhaps Kane was the better option, with Dele bringing a good save from Pickford. The lack of defensive cover offered by the impressive James Rodriguez from Everton also gave Son an opportunity to often find himself one on one with Everton right back Coleman, whipping in one particular great cross that Kane was mere centre meters away connecting with.

Though Spurs weren’t at their best, the first half was pretty even with Spurs making the better chances. The turning point came at half time, and in particular with the substitution and subsequent system change Mourinho opted for. He made the change to bring Sissoko on for Dele, in turn moving Lucas central with Sissoko taking Lucas place on the right of midfield. Jose stated afterwards that it was in order to add creativity around Everton defensive midfielder Allan, and implied that Lucas was in good condition to play there following a strong preseason. I found this quite baffling for a number of reasons. Firstly Dele, as mentioned by Jose in recent interviews, has been in great form in Pre-Season and has played each match looking fit in doing so. This begs the question as to why Lucas was preferred to move central if fitness was a contributory factor.

Secondly, Dele while far from his best was taking up good positions and finding space in front of the Everton defence, his intelligent runs had Allan being pulled around the pitch creating space for others. He did not deserve to be replaced and I can only see this having a negative impact on his confidence moving forwards. Lucas while workmanlike was having a poor game in comparison, often struggling to keep hold of the ball under pressure.

Finally, the idea to move Lucas to a position off of the striker is not one that suits his skillset. One thing evident yesterday was that Lucas first touch is not his strong point, with many passes bouncing away from him. This can be dealt with while playing wide in a 1v1 duel; when playing as a number 10, a loose first touch will take place in a congested part of the pitch and each time it occurs possession will be lost due to sheer numbers. In addition, Sissoko as a wide player does not have the end product to create for others or any goal threat, so if anything, Spurs found themselves less of a threat following the substitution.

So, it proved as Spurs barely managed a sustained attack throughout the second half. As a result of Lucas being a wide player who mostly runs straight lines with predictable movement, Allan was freed up to help cover other areas of the pitch and always found himself as the free man. This enabled him to take control of the game, winning tackles and spraying the ball around, and subsequently winning man of the match. As is often the case, Spurs conceded from a set piece with Alderweireld allowing Calvert-Lewin to rise higher, to power in a header for the winning goal. On the balance of play in the second half Everton’s win was certainly deserved.

Spurs brought on Bergwyn and later Ndombele to try to change the game in their favour but while they enjoyed much possession, their play was lethargic and predictable. The lack of Lo Celso, or a match fit Ndombele in central midfield was strongly felt as they lacked penetration with their passing and a ball carrier.

Sundays opening day defeat was a rude awakening for Jose Mourinho and his Spurs side as a team they have regularly finished above comfortably, managed to defeat them without having to be at their best. A remedy for a lack of creativity and cohesion will be on the agenda in the three weeks approaching the end of the transfer window and, while it’s far too early to read too much into this result, it is clear that at present they are a long way behind rivalling those that finished above them last season.

The Premier League Title race: an intriguing tactical contest

After what will be remembered by most as a freak season in Premier League history, not least following Leicester City’s dramatic and poor turn of form; the traditional big hitters have made a rampant return to the summit this season.

This season finds the top six in incredulous form creating  a clear division between themselves and the rest of the Premier League. All six have had spells of utter brilliance in which fans and pundits alike were waxing lyrical and proclaiming them as the champions elect; on the flip side each has had a spell in which their opponents have been able to frustrate them, forcing them to lose ground to their illustrious rivals.

Earliest to encounter such a slump were last seasons perennial underachievers Chelsea. Under new manager Antonio Conte many expected Chelsea to adopt his trusted 3 5 2 system that served him so well on the way to being crowned triple Serie A champions at Juventus.

Conte chose to slowly integrate his system however, beginning the season with a similar 4 2 3 1 used in previous campaigns. After starting strongly Chelsea proceeded to drop points at Swansea but before suffering humbling defeats to close rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. This acted as the catalyst for Conte to revert to his trusted formation, displaying tactical flexibility and variety. Since then Chelsea have lost just once and sit handsomely atop the league, with a 10 point lead deeming the race as good as over.

Football evolves continuously and different systems go through cycles of effectiveness. In past seasons the Premier League has been won by teams adopting a successful 4 2 3 1 system in which a central striker is supported by three narrow interchangeable creative attacking midfielders. Manchester City and Chelsea most notably enjoying success with outstanding individuals such as David Silva and Eden Hazard supplementing world class strikers in Diego Costa and Kun Aguero.

Last season Leicester City defied the odds and adopted a 4 4 2 style in which they defended solidly as two banks of four before breaking at pace on the counter attack, relying on the effective Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy to secure victory..

Opposition teams have begun to develop a plan which has eradicated the effectiveness of the said system, sitting back and encouraging the more talented teams playing 4 2 3 1 to play in front of their defensive line. This leads to the attacking team becoming frustrated and in some cases being caught on the break.

The system implemented by Conte creates space stretching teams with width from rampaging wing backs, while still allowing creative midfielders to flourish behind a central striker. It is a system in which the deployment of three central defenders offer outlets to maintain possession while also enabling a strength in numbers solidity.

Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United make up the chasing pack and are currently separated by just two points. All of these five teams began the season with a version of the 4 2 3 1 system to which was earlier referred.

Manchester City started the season fantastically winning 6 straight games before themselves going on a slump in fortunes at the back end of the year. Since then, manager Pep Guardiola has implemented an adapted system in which his players switch freely between a 4 1 4 1 and a 4 3 3. The front 5 players in this side are all exceptional attacking footballers which makes knowing how to defend against this team incredibly difficult.

In conjunction with a high press Manchester City have created their own antidote to teams sitting back against them and together with Tottenham and Chelsea have shown themselves to have great adaptability to a different sutuations they may face

Tottenham currently sit third and before Saturday had enjoyed a spell in which they won 7 of their last 10 games. After starting the season in promising fashion they endured a spell in which they dropped points drawing to inferior opponents due to low profligacy and teams sitting back frustrating them in games they had dominated.

With a squad suited to the style so successfully employed by Chelsea, boasting superb wing backs, strong central midfielders and centre backs very comfortable with the ball at their feet; Tottenham went on a fantastic run scoring freely while also taking the scalp of leaders Chelsea.

While they lost to a resurgent Liverpool side this week it should be noted that injuries had forced them to revert to a 4 2 3 1 suggesting that they could return to form should their notable absentees, and adapted system, return soon.

Manchester United, having adopted  various adaptations of systems with Ibrahimovic at its peak, have hit form and are unbeaten since a 4-0 dismantling by Chelsea in late October. Mourinho has always been credited with the ability to adapt his system to his opposition but also to the players at his disposal; with the current form being enjoyed by Manchester United there appears no reason they will not enjoy a strong run in.

Arsenal and Liverpool complete the top six and are renowned as two teams that in full flow are incredibly easy on the eye. Both outstanding teams in their own right, these teams while still heavily in the race have both suffered indifferent recent form against lesser teams. Both enjoyed important wins this weekend but it is their pursuit of perfection and managerial stubbornness which links the two.

Jurgen Klopp manages Liverpool in charismatic fashion and is very loyal to his high intensity pressing style in which his teams start like a house on fire and look to strike early and leave their opponents no time to settle, blowing them away in the process. While when all of the cogs of this system are functioning well they are a joy to behold. Recent weeks have shown that when part of the team is not at its best, examples being Liverpool in the absence of Mane as an attacking force, or liverpools leaky defence; Liverpool struggle to grind out results. They are either utterly brilliant or find themselves failing to secure a victory. Liverpool were exceptional against a strong Tottenham team this weekend and while this will give Klopp confidence it must be said that it is not this type of game that Liverpool’s shortcomings have cost them.

An almost refusal to change his game plan in pursuit of the points when his philosophy has not resulted in a lead displays a lack of adaptability , and is perhaps the main reason Liverpool will come up short in a race to be champions.

This is a critique which has regularly been aimed at Arsene Wenger and Arsenal in the 12 years since they last won a premier league title. Wenger has always produced teams that portray fantastic technical football that is almost unplayable to any opposition on their day. Has as been the case for a number of seasons, Arsenal when not at their best refuse to revert to any other style of play other than to ‘out football’ the opposition. In games in which they have come up against a team of equal or superior ability they have refused to adapt and find new ways in which to become more effective, especially away from home. There was a spell in recent seasons in which much attention was placed on the fact that arsenal played a more solid counter attacking style away to the better teams which generally resulted in an upturn in fortunes. This hasn’t continued however and Arsenal while clearly one of the best teams in the division have struggled to maintain a serious title challenge.

With the premier league now boasting 6 sides capable of competing at the forefront of the league for honours, small margins will separate them in the pursuit of success. Chelsea stole a march on their competition by adapting their approach early in the season and as a result becoming well oiled in their new system; commencing on a historic run which in all probability has won them the title.

Chelsea’s title rivals Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United have all used their own failings as a means to encourage their own system adaptations,  resulting in a confidence that they have the tools required to combat all opponents.

Liverpool and Arsenal are just as strong at the rivals they are competing with.  The clear refusal to change their manager’s philosophy in order to win as many points as possible suggests that with the game evolving and levels of tactical awareness increasing amongst all premier league teams, Klopp and Wenger’s pursuit of football perfection, while supplying incredible highs and barnstorming runs, will ultimately always come up short over the length of a league season.

Title dream edges closer for Imperious Leicester

Leicester responded to the challenge laid down by Tottenham in rampant fashion as they blew Swansea City away 4-0 at the King Power Stadium. 

Tottenham’s impressive away victory by the same margin at Stoke on Monday was enough to cast some doubt as to who was destined to lift the title.

Leicester, missing star striker Jamie Vardy through suspension, would have been forgiven some nerves as they chase their first top flight championship of the modern era. Fans need not have been concerned as it would have been difficult to have responded in a more defiant manner; Leicester ran riot picking Swansea off at will,  with Riyad Mahrez once again the star of the show ably assisted by Vardy replacement Leonardo Ulloa’s two goals.

Facing a pressured situation to show their credentials Leicester responded admirably and look all set to complete the fairytale, becoming Premier League Champions. 

With just three games remaining and an 8 point lead (having played once more than Spurs), only the most pessimistic Leicester fan should be nervous of slipping up in the final straight. However more talented teams than Leicester have indeed done just that, with Liverpool the most recent example dropping a 5 point lead with three games to go, a team boasting Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard no less. 

If there is any chance of Tottenham pulling off an incredible late comeback in the race, they must dispatch of West Brom in confident fashion and hope that Leicester drop points against Manchester United next weekend. This is the final game in which Leicester can conceivably drop the ball and Manchester United will be desperate for the win themselves in their quest for a Champions League spot. 

A point will not be enough for United who now have their fate in their own hands, their main rivals Manchester City and Arsenal are still to meet in the run in, meaning 4 wins for the Red Devils guarantees them fourth position.

If it were the case that Leicester lost this game, then a victory for Spurs at Chelsea would leave the gap at two points with two games to play. This would be a true test for Leicester but after overcoming every challenge thus far one can only predict them being equal to it. 

The title race is by no means over yet, regardless of Leicester’s outstanding performance. Sunday’s game at Old Trafford promises be the final major obstacle and a positive result should then wrap up the title for the foxes. 

All that Tottenham can do is try to win all of their remaining games and hope that suffices, easier said than done with a game away at Chelsea still to come, a ground Spurs haven’t won at in over twenty years. It’s over to Spurs to reignite the pressure with victory over West Brom on Monday night, in the words of Claudio Ranieri ‘ keep calm Mauriccio’. It’s over to you Tottenham …..