7 truths: Tottenham shaking ‘unlucky’ tag, time to rethink John Terry retreat

“In football you need some luck,” Mauricio Pochettino mused after Tottenham’s exit to Arsenal in the League Cup. Luck: not a force usually associated with Spurs. Whether it’s Pedro Mendes’ goal that never was, Heurelho Gomes conceding directly from his own free-kick or finishing fourth and still missing out on the Champions League, Tottenham have had unjust calamity woven into their recent history.

That theme seemed set to continue when Kyle Walker involuntarily poked past Hugo Lloris on the opening day of the season. Oh Spurs, forever the Premier League’s headline comedy act. Only, that may no longer be quite so true. After being saved by the woodwork on three occasions in recent matches – Leicester, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – Spurs were beneficiaries of one of the jammiest offside calls against Manchester City. Kyle Walker was allowed to fire a cross into the mixer, despite clearly straying into illegal position, which resulted in a Tottenham equaliser – the first in an astonishing four-goal burst.

There’s your luck, Mauricio…

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What a day of action! Of the 14 teams in action prior to the late kick-off, 13 scored (you’ve let everyone down, Sunderland) – 31 goals packed into seven matches, an average of 4.4 goals a game. It was an afternoon that had almost everything: upsets, cracking goals, roaming pigeons… So when attention switched to St James’ Park for Newcastle v Chelsea, we probably expected to be disappointed. The outcome? A hugely entertaining 2-2 draw which further served to highlight the Premier League's truly unpredictable nature.

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Manchester City goals conceded in opening five PL matches, with Vincent Kompany: zero.
Manchester City goals conceded in two recent PL matches, without Vincent Kompany: six.

Manuel Pellegrini can moan about offside calls all he wants – conveniently ignoring that their opener was probably offside too – but the fact was their defence was utterly abject at White Hart Lane. Makeshift partnership Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis rarely looked comfortable, while vines of Willy Caballero flailing around Erik Lamela’s ankles will float around the internet for eternity.

It’s quite simple: City need Joe Hart and Kompany back urgently. The replacements simply can’t cope, particularly when both men are absent.

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One goal drought that crept under the radar was that of Alexis Sanchez. With Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane attracting most of the ridicule, the Arsenal man’s 873-minute dry spell went somewhat undocumented.

Not that he appeared overly concerned. After all, he had a ready-made excuse: ‘I played in the Copa America final in July’. And, after a transition period adjusting to life back in the Premier League, the Chilean returned to the scoresheet in emphatic fashion against Leicester – bagging a hat-trick as Arsenal’s attack excelled after the limp display against Chelsea. His treble oozed clinical qualities desperately needed by Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud if Arsenal are going to challenge for the title. It can’t all rest on Sanchez. Sadly, as it was for much of last season, it still might.

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It was the perfect John Terry situation: a cross dropping into the box, with one forward for company. And yet promoted man Kurt Zouma failed to deal with it, allowing Ayoze Perez to control and score brilliantly. There is no question that Terry would have backpedalled and headed to safety, or demanded it of a team-mate. And you can be sure he would have organised his side far better from set-pieces too – the second leak in the Chelsea defence on Saturday evening. He might be susceptible on the turn, but Chelsea shouldn’t marginalise the skipper just yet. Terry remains not only their leader, but also their best defender in close quarters.

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It had many of the ingredients seen in their title quest of 2013/14: chances at both ends, temperamental defending, Daniel Sturridge on the vidiprinter. He might be without strike partner Luis Suarez, but he fulfilled the role of leading man at Anfield with aplomb against Aston Villa with two goals. His next task: gel with Christian Benteke. Brendan Rodgers’ desperation to make 4-3-3 work has to end; might as well risk a variation of 4-4-2 and go out fighting.

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The bunting and confetti was on standby. We’d even prepared a graphic. But despite having FOURTEEN shots against Malaga, Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to score his 500th goal and close on Raul’s goalscoring record for Real Madrid. Oh well, there’s always the midweek Champions League clash in Malmo…