The Sunday People's Steve Bates: "People said that there is no way Tottenham could remain competitive without Harry Kane for a number of weeks or Dele Alli, but they are"
Sunday 3 February 2019 18:53, UK
Tottenham remain in the title race and will have a 'significant say' on who wins the Premier League, believe the Sunday Supplement panel.
Spurs moved up to second in the table with a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday and travel to both Liverpool and Manchester City in the final weeks of the season.
Steve Bates of The Sunday People thinks Spurs' recent form has been a "significant statement" from Mauricio Pochettino's side.
"They found a way to win. People - and our profession is probably at the forefront - said that there is no way Tottenham could remain competitive without Harry Kane for a number of weeks or Dele Alli, but they are," Bates said.
"They went into second place yesterday [which is] a significant statement in my opinion - even though it could be temporary and they could fall behind again today if Liverpool and Manchester City win.
"Nonetheless they will have a say in the title race because three of their remaining games are away at Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.
"So they're going to have a significant say in the title race. Whether that is them actually making their own statement and putting pressure on Liverpool in the final run-in, or merely to have results against those teams, we don't yet know.
"I think Pochettino has come through a very difficult spell and he's felt the need to justify his role at the club and his strategy.
"But yesterday, although it was probably one of their lesser performances, they still found that way to win."