Tottenham Premier League 2017-18 stats roundup
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham, for the third successive season, finished as one of the Premier League’s top three teams, but how does their team stats stack up to the rest?
Brought to you by @SpursStatMan, let’s dissect the analytics from another successful Spurs season. When the chips were down, Mauricio Pochettino’s side persevered, again showcasing why they are the country’s most consistent team since 2015.
Of the below stats, a few pop off the page and merit extra attention.
Spurs don’t throw away points from winning positions
Spurs threw away just four points from a winning position, the fewest of any team in the top flight. That stat details just how secure Tottenham are when they go a goal up. It’s a credit to Pochettino’s philosophy and system but also shows how reliable his rearguard is. They shutdown shop expertly, all but guaranteeing victory.
The art of the long ball
A surprising stat to many, Tottenham were the only top flight side to complete more than 1300 long balls. For a team that likes to control possession with intricate passing, few would expect Tottenham to top this particular category. It proves that Tottenham are able to mix it up and play a diverse brand of football. Even without Toby Alderweireld’s precise long passes for most of the season, Spurs were able to knock it long to great effect. Hugo Lloris, Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sánchez deserve high praise.
Dispossessed too often
Only Crystal Palace (482) were dispossessed more than Tottenham (461), one of the more disconcerting stats. The Lilywhites will need to solve this quagmire to challenge for the title in coming seasons. A tendency to be careless in possession isn’t a stat equated to that of a title challenger.
Next: Is Spurs' interest in Wilmar Barrios misplaced?
Lethal on the counter
Spurs’ recipe for success is highlighted by their potent counterattack. Tottenham, particularly in the Champions League, devoured teams on the counter, showing their speed, precision and unforgiving nature. It’s a shame Tottenham’s dominant Premier League possession numbers often negated their opportunities to cut through the opposition on the break like a hot knife through butter. Only Liverpool (19) had as many attempts on goal as Tottenham when countering.