Losing at home to a Newcastle side that came into the game pointless with a manger the majority of the fan base are eager to see the back of seemed unfathomable, but this is Tottenham we’re talking about.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side suffered a shocking defeat to Newcastle in front of their own fans as Joelinton’s first-half strike saw the Toon take the three points back up north with them, and handing Spurs their first loss of the season.
The discussion after the match, though, was surprising. Harry Kane told The Mirror that he thinks catching up with Liverpool and Manchester City will now be too difficult a task, whereas pundit Paul Merson also spoke similar words in his weekly column to Sky Sports News.
Of course, it is understandable to see why these two figures in the game, as well as countless supporters on social media, share this idea of Spurs no longer be in the race for the title. After all, the north London side finished fourth in the league last season as well as make it to the Champions League final for the first time in their history.
But to talk of Spurs as title contenders heading into this season is unrealistic and baffling, to say the least.
Sure, we have seen the likes of Leicester City win the league and Tottenham are coming into this season on the back of a European final, but let us remember what era of the Premier League we are living in right now.
Man City and Liverpool both rule the roost of the league, with the duo being separated by a point last season and the gap between Jurgen Klopp’s side and Chelsea in third at the end of the previous campaign being a massive 25 points.
Lets not also forget that Spurs made it to the Champions League final on the back of two aggregate scores going in their favour on the away goal ruling.
There is no question that Spurs are one of the most stable sides in the Premier League top-six and most people’s choice for the third-best team in the division. But to call them title contenders is a step too far, with Tottenham yet to exhibit the level of consistency in terms of results and quality of squad depth to stand a chance of contending for the title.