3 Reasons Tottenham win over Manchester City is crucial for Spurs

Besides staying in the top-four race, which is again vital for the club’s financial status, there are a couple of major pluses from beating City on Sunday.

The Tottenham win keeps the Manchester City home hoodoo alive

There is something in the water when Manchester City comes to London and visits Tottenham Hotspur. In the last 20 trips to north London – dating back to the 2003/04 season, City has only taken points six times against Spurs. The Cityzens have managed four wins and two draws against 14 losses when visiting the capital to face Tottenham.

Spurs have now won six straight home games against City. This includes the last two matches at White Hart Lane and all four games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Almost like when Spurs travel to Stamford Bridge, there is just some kind of block for Manchester City that started before Pep Guardiola arrived and will hopefully continue until long after he leaves.

It may seem silly, but in sports, things like streaks and superstition mean something, so keeping the home streak alive against a squad as stacked as City is something to be proud of. It is not a trophy, but it does help the psyche.

Spurs needed to beat a good top-half team

Tottenham Hotspur has twelve wins through 22 games this season, but only four of those 12 wins have come against the competition in the top half of the table. With two wins over Fulham and a win against Brighton before beating City, Spurs did not have many big-name scalps. Manchester City was the first Tottenham win against a top-six side, and beating top sides is important if Spurs are going to finish in the top four.

With two losses to Arsenal and losses against Manchester United, Newcastle, and Liverpool, Spurs had done little to previously establish themselves as a real threat to win fourth place. Having beaten City, Spurs can stand a little taller and play more confidently against other top sides.

Ultimately, beating Manchester City was just three points in the standings, but from the mental perspective, it was significantly more.