A worrying trend developing under Nuno at Tottenham

Tottenham is the only team in the capital that hasn’t earned a point against a city rival so far this season, a worrying trend for Nuno Espirito Santo and his coaching staff. 

Suffering four defeats from as many London derbies, Tottenham have nothing to show from the matches that mean the most to supporters. Those four defeats — against Crystal Palace, Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea — place Spurs at the foot of London’s mini-league table.

Chelsea, with 12 points from four matches, have the best record against city rivals, while Arsenal and West Ham, with four points a piece, are the two teams directly above Spurs. Brentford has seven points from four matches and Palace is on six.

Historically, London derbies are the matches supporters circle on their calendar prior to the commencement of any given season. The fixtures we feverishly discuss over cold pints and anticipate with white-hot anticipation, London derbies provide a war-like intensity and are matches whose results bear weight long after the final whistle blows. Every other match, regardless of prestige, pale in comparison to the importance of going to battle against a city rival.

Like supporters, players, even though some might not admit it, place these fixtures on a pedestal. So why have Nuno’s men failed to garner a single point against their most bitter adversaries? Even more concerning than the zero-point tally is the nature of those defeats. Outscored 10-1, Spurs conceded three goals in each of their first three London derbies and have been shutout in all but one.

Last season Spurs won three, lost three and drew four against city rivals. While still not a record to write home about, at least Tottenham showed character and heart in a selection of those matches.

Nuno’s men still have time to turn the London tide, though they must react positively soon or face the unenviable possibility of being dubbed as the team in the capital that cannot perform in the most meaningful matches.