Three positives from Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 win over West Ham

Positive 3: Tottenham did some table hopping

Maybe the most significant aspect of the win for Tottenham was the symbolism of Spurs stepping up to the challenge of a top-four rival and overcoming. Spurs had a similar opportunity last weekend at Old Trafford and failed to deliver.

At that point, Spurs were eighth in the table behind Wolves on just 45 points. After bouncing back midweek against Brighton, Tottenham beating West Ham is significant and helps Spurs climb the table toward fourth-place Arsenal.

The six points from this week, especially the three from a positional rival, cannot be understated. Tottenham still has a game in hand – the Arsenal match – on both West ham and Wolves, who sit at 7 and 8 on 48 and 46 points.

After playing two matches since the trip to Manchester,  Spurs have caught United on games at 29 and has passed them on points with 51 compared to United’s 50. Significant within this climb is the increasing goal difference for Spurs, which now stands at +11, which is fifth-best in the league and better than all of the teams trailing.

Having a competitive goal difference is significant because they have a game to play with Arsenal to equal the Gunners on points. With a two-goal win over West Ham, Spurs increased their goal difference again and are legitimately in the top four race.