Another victory over Manchester City. Is this the turning point for Tottenham's season?

It was clear after the deflating loss at Crystal Palace last Sunday that Tottenham would need a response from the team. The adversity is always lingering around this club. After a poor league performance and a difficult Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City, the hope was the mentality would change and Spurs would seize the moment. That's exactly what they did on Wednesday evening in N17.

Make no mistake: Spurs weren't playing a full-strength Man City. Erling Haaland remained on the bench the whole night, Manuel Akjanji was injured in the warm-up, and a plethora of academy prospects were playing over senior players. Still, the likes of new-signing Savinho and established players like Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and John Stones all played in the game. Spurs weren't exactly playing a scrub City team, despite manager Pep Guardiola saying the team wasn't focused on the Carabao Cup this season.

Nevertheless, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou must feel elated that his players heeded his words. It wasn't a pretty match, by any means, though. The difference between this game and the one against Palace was truly the desire. Timo Werner, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson pressed like their lives depended on it. Werner scored his first goal since March. Dejan Kulusevski continues to impress from attacking midfield picking up two assists.

Pape Matar Sarr showed he had a 'golazo' in his back pocket this whole time. Many chances were missed, including golden ones for Werner and Richarlison in the second half, both deputizing on the left wing for the injured Hueng-Min Son. Archie Gray had some decent moments filling in at right-back but left Nunes unmarked at the far post for an easy goal.

Like I said, it wasn't pretty. The difference is they got the win.

Jay Harris of The Athletic wrote in his post-match column after the Palace loss, that Tottenham had to learn to win ugly, especially away from home. Even though this game was at home, it was an ugly way to win. The result mattered more than the style. The confidence boost couldn't come at a better time. Now is when the team must kick on in full stride.

This result is indicative of what Postecoglou knows Spurs can be. The problem is they have trouble consistently reaching that level time and time again. They have to show fight even in difficult moments and take each match in stride. They were guilty of lowering their heads at Palace, but that certainly wasn't the case against City.

Postecoglou adjusted where he had to, making timely substitutions, and not risking injuries after losing Micky van de Ven early in the first half. Werner's confidence will surely grow. A midfield of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur controlled the ball in the middle of the park, and Bissouma's goalline clearance sealed the win for Spurs. This was the fight they needed on Sunday. This was what they wanted to be.

The league campaign is not off to a glorious start. Dropping points to Leicester, Newcastle, Arsenal, Brighton, and Palace shows it's not going to be an easy ride to the Top 4, nor will it be a title challenge like Postecoglou wants. The Cups are more interesting, though. Last time this season, Spurs were already out and were waiting for the FA Cup draw.

Now, heading into a quarterfinal clash with Manchester United and being second in the Europa League league phase, it's time to consider which the team should put maximum effort into. They can't slag off the league yet, but it's clear they're on a path that could back up Postecoglou's claim that he always wins something in his second season.

All three of these cups have direct lines to Europe should the team fail to reach European place in the table. Winning the Europa League would be a direct ticket back to the Champions League.

It'll be interesting to see how Spurs approach the Villa match at the weekend. They're coming off a big victory. They must continue to build on it.