The tiebreaker Tottenham has turned on its head in recent surge

Tottenham Hotspur's Italian head coach Antonio Conte celebrates on the final whistle in the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on April 3, 2022. - Spurs won the game 5-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

1 of 2

Since losing 1-0 to Burnley on Feb. 26, Tottenham have surged and completely flipped the goal-difference script, which could still prove decisive in the top-four race.

Goal difference is the most important tiebreaker. It is the deciding factor if two teams are level on points at the end of the season. Having a superior goal difference is tantamount to an extra point in the standings, which could be worth its weight in gold.

Less than two months ago, Tottenham had a -1 goal differential, far and away the worst of the four teams competing for fourth spot.

How the tide has turned.

Tottenham’s last seven games — 25 Goals For, 5 Goals Against

Other than than the blip at Old Trafford, when Spurs were undone by a hat trick from arguably the world’s best ever footballer, Tottenham have ran the table, outscoring their opponents 25-5.

It’s an astonishing turnaround that has seen Tottenham’s plus/minus go from -1 on Feb. 26, to +19 after the 4-0 rout of Aston Villa on Saturday. Spurs now have the best goal difference of the pack chasing fourth spot, 10 goals better off than both Arsenal and West Ham and 12 superior to United.

Barring anything catastrophic, Spurs should retain their superior goal difference come the end of the campaign, providing Antonio Conte’s side with what could be an invaluable bonus point.

Though Conte will have no intention of letting fourth spot be decided by goal difference. Based on the last seven matches, Tottenham will be confident of securing fourth place outright, hopefully even before the last week of the season.

Home/Tottenham News