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Tottenham Hotspur were dealt a significant blow in the race for the top-four on Saturday as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Southampton.
What’s the word?
Just a few weeks ago Spurs were considered as a dark horse contender for the Premier League title, but a run of four straight games without a win has completely flipped the narrative on its head.
Mauricio Pochettino is now fighting a battle to get his side into the top-four this season. It’s a scenario which supporters have become familiar with after watching their side crumble in previous races for the most coveted prize in English football, but Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has suggested that they remain favourites to qualify for the Champions League.
Carragher was asked to name which side has the most favourable run in with less than ten games left to play, and he delivered an incredibly positive verdict on Tottenham’s chances.
‘I still think Spurs are the best team of those sides – maybe it’s a toss-up with Manchester United so you think they’ll kick back into gear.
‘Chelsea and Arsenal you would expect to get towards the end of the Europa League, even though Arsenal need to respond against Rennes, so that could cause them a problem. I think you can make a case for everyone. I think it will go right to the wire.’
Best of the chasing pack?
Carragher is absolutely right in his assessment that Spurs are the best side out of the four teams fighting for two Champions League places.
Pochettino’s side may have suffered an unfortunate domestic blip in recent weeks but one poor patch should not cloud what has otherwise been a gutsy and productive season for the club.
Big games away at Liverpool and Manchester City lie ahead but, as Carragher has alluded to, Spurs are well equipped to compete with the very best sides in the division.
And, with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier all returning from respective injury problems in recent weeks, the squad is well equipped to rise to the challenges which the final weeks of the season are bound to throw up.