“And Lamelaaaaaa, it's 3." Those words were absolutely gut wrenching to me, as a Manchester United fan. Watching Tottenham decimate United in a six minute spell was something that I've never seen. It pains me to see other teams fighting for the title when mine is nowhere close to competing.
Fade in, Leicester, the league leaders
5 points clear, needing a maximum of three wins to win the title, as Peter Drury said when Mahrez made it 3 at the Etihad, "Why shouldn't they be champions?”
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It would be the most beautiful story if it were to happen, a rags to riches story. Watching them survive relegation last year and wondering if they have got what it takes to stay up this season and then witnessing them set the league on fire, the perfect story for the dreamers and the romantics.
But not for me, Leicester have been marvelous, their grit and desire have gone unmatched by anyone in the division, and the skills of Mahrez, the energy of Vardy and the tank that is N'golo Kante, have all played a huge role in putting them where they are, at the top of the pile, upsetting the established order along the way.
It's been a team effort, whether it be free pizzas or the tinker man's enthusiasm on the sidelines, this side have been an absolute delight to watch for the neutrals. But no, I don't want them to win the league this year.
Fade out, Leicester. Fade in, Tottenham Hotspur, the team in second
Not churning out the ‘1-0’s, not having the perfect story, no Jamie Vardy's 11 consecutive goals, no relegation to title story for them, their’s has been a story that for me, as a football enthusiast, has been much more than all that.
At the start of the season, Spurs were expected to finish in and around the CL places, with no real big name signing arriving at the club and the inability to sign Victor Wanyama or Saido Berahino over the summer transfer window, many asked if Spurs had what it takes to finish in the top 5.
Mauricio Pochettino, unperturbed by his inability to sign his targets, calmly slotted Eric Dier into defensive midfield, and introduced a certain Dele Alli to play in the hole. Things didn't went well at first, a defeat at Old Trafford, pegged back by late goals at Leicester and at home to Stoke, people were wondering what was happening at the Lane.
Speaking of the Lane, one of their own, their messiah, their brilliant number 10, couldn't seem to nick a goal even if his life hinged on it. The Gunners did rather enjoy this, and the rest of the league wondered what was in store for Spurs.
But over the matches, they picked it up, got a move along, and soon they were right in the thick of it. Harry Kane was scoring, Dele Alli was the brightest thing English football has seen for a while, the ‘Dier in defensive midfield’ move along with Dembele was working a treat, the defense was as tight as a drum head.
Slowly yet steadily, they emerged, albeit relatively surprisingly from the chasing pack, as the most likely team to challenge Leicester. This team has put away sides for fun, they've outrun almost every team they've faced over the course of the season.
Moreover, they have let in just 25 goals over the last 33 games and most importantly, this Spurs side, unlike most in the past, fear absolutely no one.
They’ve done it at the Etihad and at the Lane against City, they’ve smashed United at home and they’ve also done it in style on a cold windy night in Stoke. Frankly, there isn’t a team in this country who could make them look bad. Their high pressing style and desire to win the ball is refreshing and incredibly captivating.
There is a new order coming and it may not please the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal. But the sooner they realize that the competition is so far ahead of them, the better.
With Leicester grinding out the ‘1-0’s continuously, this Spurs side have not failed to stay in touching distance of the Foxes. And as was evident last Sunday, they can upstage even one of the meanest defenses in the league like they are absolutely nothing.
The exhilarating youth and the purity of their football is something I enjoy much more than Vardy running down the channels or Mahrez cutting in on his stronger left. This Spurs side has an exciting young manager, a world class striker, a youthful exuberance in midfield and an absolute wall at the back.
They are the real deal and they are here to stay with a brand of football which is incredibly compelling and soothing on the eye. Ever since I saw them run the show at the Emirates, I've followed them very closely.
That Kane hat trick against Bournemouth; Destructive. That Alli strike against Palace; Gorgeous. Those saves and tackles by Lloris against Liverpool and against Crystal Palace; The Captain's contribution.Those Eriksen through balls; Perfect. That midfield pairing of Dembele and Dier; Solid. Mauricio Pochettino; Genius. The same cases could be made for the Leicester team, but it just isn't the same, in my eyes.
"You make your own luck." as they say and to be fair, Leicester have done that. They've rolled the dice and invariably the right numbers have turned up. That Robert Huth header in the dying embers of the game at White Hart Lane, might just be the most defining and the biggest title deciding header this league has ever seen and might ever see.
No, not Kompany's against United, sorry.
The gap is 5 points, and that may be a point too many for this side to catch, with games running out quickly. However, if they do and let's be honest, they might spoil the chances of a fairy tale ending to one of the greatest stories this league will ever witness. But, if there is any team in the league that ever deserved a league title just as much, it is this Tottenham side.
Any other season, this would have been the story of the season by a country mile. But as fate would have it, it isn't this year, and even if they pip the Foxes for the title, it may never be that romantic a story. So, go on then you Spurs, chase the Foxes down and catch them, because well, you're just every bit as deserving.
