Tottenham showed resilience of champions in 3-1 win

After looking like they were down and out, Spurs scored three goals in the final six minutes, showing the resilience and pedigree of champions in the massive 3-1 win. 

Spurs, after this truly incredible comeback, won’t be dismayed by the current seven-point gap atop the table. It could have been a lot worse, as Tottenham were in a losing position with just two of the 90 minutes remaining.

The current Spurs squad is replete with grit and full of belief. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more resolute bunch of players, as Tottenham have lost only two of 11 matches when the opposition scores first. While the gap at the top is still vast, nothing in football is insurmountable.

Swatting away adversity like an irritating mosquito, Spurs – after suffering injuries to key personnel, including top scorer Harry Kane, first-choice club and country left back Danny Rose, Victor Wanyama, Erik Lamela, Harry Winks, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen – are poised to solidify second place in Premier League.

With eight games left, It’s a truly incredible accomplishment considering the circumstances. But Spurs won’t rest on their laurels and will drive forth in their attempt to rein Chelsea in.

Spurs go down early against run of play

Swansea played the type of disciplined, structured game – for 88 minutes anyway – that everyone expected. Parking the bus in the second half, they were tough to breakdown and capitalized on the one fast break opportunity they had.

Lukasz Fabianski knocked a 60-meter missile over everyone’s head, but Jordan Ayew was the first to react, easily outpacing Ben Davies. The Tottenham left back recovered well but was tricked too easily by an Ayew dummy. Toby Alderweireld was uncharacteristically flat-footed and Wayne Routledge was the benefactor of Ayew’s short cross.

Davies had a difficult day at the office. He had fits no matter who he faced. Ayew, Routledge and Kyle Naughton all enjoyed success against Spurs’ second-choice left back, further demonstrating how much Tottenham miss Rose.

How the match turned at the death

If you understand football, you know that hope pervades all the way until the final whistle. That’s especially true when Christian Eriksen and Dell Alli are involved. You run out of superlatives to describe how integral these two players are to the team.

Eriksen, as usual, showed great technique on his 88th minute volley, which Alli pounced on. Some might say the ball fell favorably to Alli from the deflection, but it’s Alli’s wherewithal and anticipation that led to the equalizer.

And then came the climax, just when Spurs needed it the most. Son Heung-Min scored the 91st-minute winner on a nifty touch from Vincent Janssen. Janssen got the faintest of touches, which was enough to send Son through. The 24-year-old got the decisive touch to send Spurs supporters into euphoria. It was the goal that kept their title hopes alive.

Eriksen put the match to bed three minutes later. Dropping his shoulder and letting the ball come across his body, Spurs midfield maestro finished with ease, embarrassing a dejected Swansea defence in the process.

Spurs were in danger of losing their first game in seven without Kane, whose return is about two weeks away.

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Moussa Sissoko, while marginally more influential, had yet another disappointing outing. It was his first start of the calendar year, and probably his last. Sissoko is a dead man walking at Spurs. There’s no hope of redemption and every Spurs supporter can plainly see why.

Spurs fifth consecutive win puts them five clear of Liverpool, who have played an additional game. Second place is looking more secure as the weeks pass, but Spurs still have intentions of catching Chelsea.

If this game is anything to go by, that accomplishment, albeit improbable, is still firmly within reach.