The data that shows just how good Spurs have been this season

The always fantastic DataMB have provided the data that proves just how dominant Ange Postecoglu’s Tottenham Hotspur have been so far this season.

In the Premier League, Spurs have scored the most goals, have the most expected goals, and are the best team for pressing – a stat that they are also number one in for the whole of Europe.

The data that shows just how good Spurs have been so far

Furthermore, compared to sides in the top seven leagues, Spurs are in the 99th percentile for counter attacking, 94th percentile for general attacking, and 84th percentile for possession – all of this suggests that Spurs are perhaps not as one dimensional as some have claimed in the past.

Elsewhere, in the Premier League, Spurs have the 2nd most; shots on target, touches in the opposition box, possession %, and positional attacks.

To finish off these stats provided by DataMB, Spurs are way clear of anyone else for PPDA (passes per defensive action). This means that they allow their opponents to have fewer passes before making a tackle, interception, or whatnot. In even shorter terms – nobody presses better than Ange’s side.  

So, on the ball Spurs are immense, and are able to create chances and score goals. Off the ball, nobody in the Premier League presses better than them. We saw the fruits of this labour on Saturday evening with that incredible win at the Etihad.

For the first goal, City were trying to shepherd the ball out for a throw in, but Dejan Kulusevski was not having it, won the ball back, and put in a superb cross for James Maddison score. For the second, their pressing forced a turnover from Josko Gvardiol, and within 30 seconds they had the ball in the back of the net.

It really does just beg the question as to why we can’t see the rewards more often. The same side that have won 3-0 at Old Trafford and 4-0 at the Etihad have lost to Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town. The same team that have beaten Aston Villa 4-1 have lost to Brighton when being 2-0 up at half time.

In cup competitions, the same team that beat Manchester City lost to Galatasaray (albeit mitigating circumstances). If Spurs can just knit it all together then who knows how well they can do and how far they can go.

Something that has been pointed out is the disparity in the wins compared to the losses. Spurs have won Premier League games this season 4-0 (x2), 4-1 (x2), 3-0, and 3-1. They have lost games 2-1, 1-0, 3-2, 1-0, and 2-1. A lot of the wins are hammerings, whilst every defeat has been close.

As frustrating as those losses are – there is no excuse to lose to Ipswich and Crystal Palace even by one goal – it does show that it is possible for them to cut these defeats out, whilst the wins are clearly sustainable. There is so much potential to this team under Ange.