Did The Brighton Win Secure Spurs’ Top-Four Spot?

It was a nervy night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fans had to wait for the first goal of the night but it arrived. Christian Eriksen’s long-range strike secured the 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion to keep Spurs in third place in the Premier League table.

Spurs have one eye on the Champions League but there is still work to do on the domestic front. Qualification for next season’s tournament remains the aim. And Mauricio Pochettino’s side took another step towards that goal last night.

The only goal on the night came via Christian Eriksen. The attacking midfielder looked a little displeased with his side’s wasteful shooting. He must have decided to do it himself. Eriksen picked the ball up and drove forward before unleashing a shot from 25 yards.

“It was unbelievable from Christian, amazing,” said his manager Mauricio Pochettino after the match.

“Christian has the capacity to create in a difficult moment. I think the quality is there as Christian is an unbelievable player and you always believe that a player like him can score.”

It was another reminder – if any was needed – of Eriksen’s qualities. The 27-year-old is enjoying yet another fruitful campaign in front of goal. His strike last night was his seventh of the season in the Premier League. It helped put Spurs in a strong position in the race for Champions League qualification. Pochettino’s side are third on 70 points, four clear of Arsenal in fifth who have a game in hand.

“We’re in a position now that is in our hands to be in the top four,” added Pochettino. “If we are capable of winning the next three games in the Premier League then we will be third.”

That is true. The race is in his side’s hands with Spurs the 1/10 favourites to secure a top-four spot on Betway as of 24 April. But it’s too early to open the Champagne as Tottenham prepare to take on West Ham at the weekend. It’s a fixture which has been tight in recent years but the Hammers’ away form could tip the scales. Spurs’ other fixtures are away to AFC Bournemouth and at home on the final day against Everton.

The Toffees are improving and it’s always difficult to take on Bournemouth away from home. Spurs’ task becomes all the more difficult by the presence of the Champions League. The Lilywhites will take on AFC Ajax in their first European semi-finals for over 35 years.

Given the stage of the competition, Pochettino’s focus could well be on Europe. The injuries to Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko, Serge Aurier, and Erik Lamela have shortened Spurs’ attacking options. Then there is always the so-called ‘European hangover’ for domestic matches played after a continental fixture. Spurs’ record in these fixtures this season hardly inspires confidence. They have lost 5 of the 10 Premier League matches they have played after a Champions League fixture this season.

A defeat or two in these final three Premier League fixtures would blow open up the race for Spurs’ rivals. Manchester United will need to pull off an unlikely win in the Manchester Derby to get back into the race. That leaves the two London clubs with Arsenal able to climb above Chelsea with a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday. This would make a three-point gap between Spurs and fifth place.

European football adds another element to this race. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are preparing for their Europa League semi-final matches. Victory would set up a final against one another with Champions League qualification the prize. It could come to pass that all three teams end up in next season’s premier club competition.

Usually, things would be already settled at the top of the table at this point in the season. There are three matches left for most teams but there is still so much left to play for. Spurs may be in the driving seat but will feel a lot more comfortable with another couple of wins under their belts. The Champions League will complicate things as Tottenham are familiar with a European Hangover. Yet, there’s a feeling that two wins will do it for Spurs so they can start focusing on other, more important aims.