When some Tottenham supporters celebrated losing to Manchester City and sent Ange Postecoglou into a rage about the club’s ‘fragile foundations’ there was at least some logic involved.
It was May 2024 and Arsenal were top of the Premier League, one point clear of City with only one game remaining when Pep Guardiola’s team descended upon N17 to face Spurs in their penultimate game of the season.
Goal difference meant they had to win to take control of the title race going into their final game at home to West Ham.
Even a draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would have handed the initiative to Arsenal so plenty of Spurs fans were relieved to lose despite it ending all hope of finishing in the top four.
Sure enough, five days later, City were crowned champions, clear at the top by two points, and those on the blue-and-white side of North London’s great divide were spared the gloating neighbours.
Postecoglou lost the plot. With his Glasgow Old Firm background, he thought he understood the intensities of a city rivalry but came to accept the psychological complexities of this one had him beat.
Any Tottenham fans who want to lose to Man City in order to damage Arsenal’s title hopes are thinking illogically
The best way to hamper Arsenal’s dreams is to beat them when they visit on February 22
Ange Postecoglou could never get his head round a mentality whereby fans didn’t want a win
It turned out to be the beginning of the end of his love-in with the Spurs fans.
Circumstances this time are very different. It is the start of February not the middle of May. Fourteen more fixtures await every team after this weekend. Anything can happen.
Yes, the title race could become another duel between Arsenal, with the strongest team and deepest squad, and City, perennial winners over this course and distance under Guardiola.
Equally, there’s a whole host of possibilities over the next four months upon which Spurs have absolutely no influence. Arsenal could stumble under the pressure of chasing four trophies. There have been signs.
City could do the same even if they beat Spurs. They could lose at Liverpool next time out. Aston Villa might emerge as genuine contenders.
Spurs meanwhile have their own fight to win. Any of their supporters who go into the City game hoping to lose should forfeit the right to complain if their team is relegated.
There can’t be many of them seriously thinking that way. Not even those who have already taken firmly against Thomas Frank, despise the way the club is run by the ruling Lewis family and have mocked and jeered their own players this season.
Wins against Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt either side of a draw at Burnley, hint at improvements.
Tottenham cannot afford many more defeats; there is the possibility of them going down
Dominic Solanke’s return up front makes them better, but they are immature and confidence is fragile. Support and unity are vital to their hope of reviving terrible home form and climbing the table.
There is no better way to build momentum than to win. To beat an elite team at home. At least avoid defeat. There have been far too many of those to endure recently.
To cheer for defeat is lunacy. Completely illogical. The best way to damage Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League title is to generate some hostility and take points off them when they travel down the Seven Sisters Road in three weeks’ time.
