Huge victories, stunning goals, the emergence of new White Hart Lane heroes and an end of season collapse; Spurs fans appear to have enjoyed and endured everything a football fan can in just a single campaign.
Article by Harvey Simpson
The nail biting wins, the last-gasp winners, the 4-1 victories over City, West Ham and Sunderland coupled with the 5-1 defeats to Dortmund in Europe and to Newcastle on the last day of the season mean that it has been a season full of ups and downs and one that will stick in the memory of the White Hart Lane faithful for years to come.
Ignoring the last month of the season, which was extremely painful and is particularly difficult to do considering it was Arsenal who leapfrogged us in the table, this has been a tremendous campaign for Spurs; the best since a certain Harry Redknapp sat in the dugout about four years ago.
In this article we remember, enjoy and take you back to five of the best games of the season; a season that gave Spurs fans a glimpse of the extent of the work done by Mauricio Pochettino to transform the club from top four hopefuls to title challengers.
Tottenham 4-1 Manchester City
This game was the real turning point in the season. Following a disappointing loss at Old Trafford, a collapse against Stoke City, lack of concentration against Leicester City, a dull 0-0 draw against Everton and nerve-racking 1-0 victories over Palace and Sunderland, this was when the Spurs players sprang into life and the season really kick-started.
Our first real test of the season, against the team in form, began poorly with Kevin de Bruyne punishing us on the counter attack following a Kyle Walker error. But Eric Dier levelled the match with a superb long-range shot, beating Willy Caballero who had previously saved brilliantly from Son. Alderweireld's flicked header put Spurs into the lead but, being a Spurs fan, you can never be certain of the outcome of a game unless you're at least 3 goals ahead but when Kane scored following Eriksen's free kick smashing the bar, the Spurs fans confidence took a huge boost. Relief also filled White Hart Lane as Kane scored his first of the season, following doubts he would be a 'one season wonder'.
Erik Lamela confirmed the excellent victory with a great goal, taking as much time as he wanted, following summer signing Clinton N'Jie's superb turn and assist.
Tottenham 4-1 West Ham
A Payet-less West Ham suffered badly at the Lane with Pochettino's high pressing system pressurising the Hammers and forcing them into mistakes. Harry Kane, after scoring 5 goals in three games against Bournemouth, Villa and Arsenal, made it 7 goals in 4 games with a brace against our London rivals. Kane opened the scoring by lashing the ball into the net, after an element of fortune meant that the ball landed at his feet, and Alderweireld doubled Spurs' advantage with another superb header. Kane punished West Ham's defence again after some sloppy play from the Hammers and Kyle Walker capped off a brilliant evening under the lights at the Lane with a well-taken goal to finish things off. Manuel Lanzini's late goal did nothing to dampen the mood at the Lane.
Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham
A stadium where Spurs have had little joy last season gave Spurs immense confidence; enough to believe that 2016 could be their year. Harry Kane's well-driven penalty gave Spurs the lead with Joe Hart diving away from Kane's centrally struck shot. Manchester City looked as if they would go on to win the game having gathered momentum in Kelechi Iheanacho's goal but it was Spurs who prevailed with Eriksen grabbing the winner on his birthday, sending the away end into pandemonium.
Pochettino's embracing of his players following the final whistle was a great watch for Spurs fans around the globe and signified the unity, togetherness and the family-feel Pochettino has instilled at the club.
Tottenham 3-0 Manchester United
A first win at White Hart Lane for Tottenham against United since 2001 came in emphatic style with a breathless six minutes of football giving Spurs all three points. Spurs latest wonderkid Dele Alli gave Spurs the precious opener thanks to Christian Eriksen's beautifully weighted cross following some scrappy play in the middle of the park. Alderweireld headed in a second for Spurs; he really does choose when he scores, netting against Manchester City, West Ham, Manchester United and Arsenal. Erik Lamela capped off the remarkable win with a well-controlled finish that sent White Hart Lane crazy and set the United fans firmly against Louis van Gaal.
Stoke 0-4 Tottenham
This match kept the title race alive and was a great response by Spurs following Leicester City's draw against West Ham. Usually an extremely tricky test for top teams, Spurs demolished Stoke with a clinical performance. A Harry Kane double alongside a Dele Alli brace gave Spurs four goals and three points as the quest for the Premier League title continued. It could have, perhaps should have, been more for Spurs as Eriksen rattled the cross bar and Alli smashed the post when it looked as if he was almost certain to score after rounding goalkeeper Shay Given.
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