Are we on the road to greater things now?

Are we on the road to greater things now?

To be honest, most supporters hoped for a draw but expected a loss. Neverthless, the objectives of the camp are always to play at full steam (go for victory, expect victory and nothing else)… You never know what chances you are presented with, and as it turned out, we were presented with many (or is that a few?)… and took them.

You could say that if this was a boxing match and no severe blows had been made, then this would have been a unanimous points win for City. But football doesn’t operate like this. They came to get their three points and narrow Liverpool’s lead over them, instead they virtually handed them the title. City aren’t the team they were last season, but then again, we managed to put a dent into their ambitions even then.

Pep Guardiola's City side had arrived in London, determined and chasing their fifth league win in six games and dominated possession but failed to convert a glut of chances.

Lloris dazzlingly flicked a Sergio Aguero effort on to the post and the Argentine was then at the centre of a chaotic few minutes towards the end of the first half, winning a penalty awarded by VAR following Serge Aurier's clumsy challenge. Gundogan however, saw his spot-kick - which took four minutes to be given - saved by Lloris, with VAR then asked to rule on whether the France goalkeeper had fouled City's Raheem Sterling as both pursued the rebound. The answer was no. And this was a second penalty Lloris had saved in recent times.

The fun didn’t stop there, oh, no! Both Toby Alderweireld and Zinchenko were booked as the players confronted each other in the aftermath, while Spurs boss Jose Mourinho appeared angered at the referee's failure to book Sterling for diving when a second penalty was not awarded.

That man Sterling had earlier appeared fortunate to escape with only a 12th-minute booking after replays showed his studs landing on the ankle and lower shin of Alli.

After an hour of play, City were reduced to 10 men, with Ukrainian Zinchenko receiving his marching orders.

Luck can come in many forms, on this day we frustrated City and, because of their own clumsiness, they were reduced to 10 men. We took advantage and kicked them in the nuts in a bad-tempered game. But we won, and winning is what it is all about.

So, their sending off allowed us to gain a foothold in the game, with Bergwijn firing Lucas Moura's intelligent cross into the bottom right corner from 15 yards to set us up on our way.

Son and Moura provided energy and Bergwijn showed some neat touches. Then the game dramatically swung in our favour, thanks mostly to Winks' surge forward which drew Zinchenko into a stupid nudge and hastened his sending off.

City, who had Gabriel Jesus ready to come on, were suddenly forced into changing their plans and while they attempted to restructure, we went ahead.

Bergwijn, who, as Spurs fans know, arrived at the club on Wednesday in a £27m deal from PSV Eindhoven had last scored on 7 December against Fortuna Sittard. His introduction to our supporters was nothing but brilliant. His goal was one to be savoured and probably watched time after time. He looks like the player that will be on the tip of everybody’s tongue shortly.

Eventually, he got a cramp and was replaced in the 70^th minute. As he walked off he got a hero’s applause, and rightly so. A hero in the making.

Our other goal was by Son, who made it two nill. We now climb up the ladder to 5^th spot, overtaking United and are within 4 points of Chelsea, who we face in a couple of weeks.

Realistically our only hope is for the fourth spot, but saying that Leicester and City are not out of the woods yet. As for Liverpool… only a miracle will stop them.

Let us look at some stats, and we all like stats when we are winning. They are shit when we fail, though…

We picked up our first Premier League win against City since October 2016, which was also a 2-0 victory on home soil (at White Hart Lane).

Mourinho picked up his sixth win against Guardiola across all competitions - only Jurgen Klopp has defeated him on more occasions (8). However, Mourinho has now won against Guardiola with four different teams (Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Spurs), the most of any manager.

Steven Bergwijn's opener for Spurs saw him become the 250th player to score on his debut in the Premier League, and the 13th Dutchman to do so.

Hugo Lloris has saved three of the last four penalties he has faced in the Premier League. He has now made the joint-most penalty saves for the club in the competition (five - along with Heurelho Gomes).

So, where are we going from here?

Well, Southampton in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday, 5 February (19:45 GMT). After that, we return to Premier League action at Aston Villa on Sunday, 16 February (14:00). Concerning the FA Cup replay; Steven Bergwijn won’t be eligible for that game because he didn’t play in the previous FA Cup game against Southampton, as FA rules dictate. However, he will be available for all matches after that.

All good fun, especially if you are winning, and winning, we did. After the Villa game, the next day, Chelsea will take on United. If United can win (and providing we win as well) the next match after that, for us, will be against Chelsea, with only – possibly – one point in it.

So, there you have it. Enjoy the feel-good factor and bring on the Saints.