What a pleasant spring break it is proving for Spurs. Not only has the weather become kinder, last night’s outcome at the Emirates, in slowing the progress of both Arsenal and Everton towards a Champions League place, was just what Andre Villas-Boas would have wanted.
There was also enough intensity in the match to suggest that Arsenal might be a little leggy at Fulham on Saturday while Villas-Boas gives his rested players their final training session before the potentially crucial visit of Manchester City to White Hart Lane the following day.
In essence the test Spurs face on Sunday is the one Everton passed: they have to look competitive in top-four terms. True, David Moyes’s team would never have ended the night with 11 men if it had been a Champions League match but the gamble on referee Neil Swarbrick came off.
Mention must also be made of Phil Jagielka, whose performance had the craft of Jamie Carragher plus pace and better feet — there could hardly be higher praise for a Premier League defender — but this was essentially a team uniting to meet an occasion and Spurs must do likewise against City if anti-climax is to be avoided.
Much, inevitably, depends on the fitness of Gareth Bale. But to portray Spurs as a one-man team rather simplifies the work of Villas-Boas. Their discipline as measured by fouls conceded — nine a match on average — has already been mentioned here but they also catch opponents offside more than any other club. And get the most shots on target.
Although the last of those statistics may be down to Bale, there is enough quality and organisation in the squad to trouble the retiring champions — if Spurs can match the Everton spirit.
