Tottenham's European football hopes given huge boost thanks to London rivals

Tottenham are entering the final stages of a rejuvenating season that saw them go on a ten-game unbeaten streak at the start of the season, and who's to say where they would've finished if they had carried that momentum all season.

Early exits in the EFL Cup and FA Cup dashed any hope of ending the 16-year silverware drought. Still, Tottenham are in the fight for European football, with Champions League qualification the last real achievement they can attain this season.

With UEFA implementing an expanded competition with the new Swiss Model (the group stage is replaced with a league table and qualification is based on league position), 36 teams will now have a chance to shine on Europe's premier inter-league tournament. Tottenham could well find themselves back under the lights on Tuesday and Wednesday nights even if they only finish fifth this campaign. And to think, it's all thanks to their pesky East London neighbors, West Ham United.

West Ham's victory over Freiburg in last week's Europa League Round of 16 nearly ensures English clubs have secured enough UEFA coefficient points to get an extra Champions League qualification spot. West Ham have built themselves into quite a European force, winning the Conference League last season and reaching the Europa semifinals in 2022. The club has also signed many players who competed in the Champions League before their move to England.

Tottenham's 3-0 loss at Fulham on Saturday dampened the hope of a late-season title charge, but this news about West Ham's advancement to the Europa quarterfinals will surely ring well with the fans. However, inside the club, there is still a desire for more than just Champions League qualification.

Postecoglou has been clear that he has higher aspirations than fourth place, and many fans back this mentality. Right now, though, the best he can do is focus on beating Aston Villa and Manchester United to the top four.

Villa's 1-1 draw with West Ham pushed the gap to three points. Spurs still have a three-point lead over United with a game in hand. If the team can solve its worrying trend of starting matches slowly, upon returning from the international break, Spurs could fire themselves further up the table.

West Ham have now almost ensured the Premier League will get a fifth representative at the 2024-25 Champions League draw, but this shouldn't be where Tottenham finish their journey to success. Fans are hungry for silverware, and with Jürgen Klopp leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, an opportunity is opening for Spurs. Champions League football is great, but a trophy would satisfy everyone: fans, players, the gaffer, and the executives.