We're above Arsenal! That can't be bad, can it?
On reflection, Spurs' away draw at Goodison Park reflects a fairly solid start to the 2016-17 season. Any week in which Spurs do better than Arsenal has to be a good week, and their 4-3 home defeat by Liverpool was much enjoyed by any Spurs fans watching, especially when Jurgen Klopp's team went 4-1 up. We are better off than we were last year after Matchday one, when we lost at Old Trafford. Then, we lost 1-0, but the Gooners lost by one more goal and started below us in the fledgling table.
The important thing for Spurs fans is to stay above their arch-rivals for as long as possible, and ideally throughout the season. This week-end, we will host Bolasie-less Crystal Palace, whilst Arsene Wenger's side travel to Leicester, who also lost their opening game. In week three, we face a bigger test when Liverpool come to The Lane, but their defence will need to be more alert than it was at the Emirates.
Of course, it is very early days, but all three of the favourites for this year's Premier League title won, although only Jose Mourinho's Manchester United could be described as comfortable winners. Of Mourinho's three big money signings, only defender Eric Bailly started on Sunday, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who impressed so much against us for Dortmund last season, did get off the bench.
Of Pep Guardiola's big-money signings, only John Stones and Nolito started. It seems that most teams need another week or two to be fully prepared for the new season.
Erik Lamela was voted your Spurs man of the match for his overall high-energy and skilled performance at Goodison Park, not forgetting his crucial headed equaliser. New signing Vincent Janssen won plaudits for his substitute appearance and influence upon Spurs fortunes, whilst substitute goalkeeper Michel Vorm, Kyle Walker and Toby Alderweireld get honourable mentions.
· This week's spursometer in full.
Premier League results 13-15.08.16
Hull 2-1 Leicester
Burnley 0-1 Swansea
C. Palace 0-1 West Brom
Everton 1-1 Spurs
M'brough 1-1 Stoke
S'hampton 1-1 Watford
Man City 2-1 S'derland
B'mouth 1-3 Man Utd
Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man Utd 1 1 0 0 3-1 2 3
2. Liverpool 1 1 0 0 4-3 1 3
3. Chelsea 1 1 0 0 2-1 1 3
4. Hull 1 1 0 0 2-1 1 3
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5. Man City 1 1 0 0 2-1 1 3
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6. Swansea 1 1 0 0 1-0 1 3
7. West Brom 1 1 0 0 1-0 1 3
8. Everton 1 0 1 0 1-1 0 1
9. M'brough 1 0 1 0 1-1 0 1
10. S'hampton 1 0 1 0 1-1 0 1
11. Stoke 1 0 1 0 1-1 0 1
12. Spurs 1 0 1 0 1-1 0 1
13. Watford 1 0 1 0 1-1 0 1
14. Arsenal 1 0 0 1 3-4 -1 0
15. Leicester 1 0 0 1 1-2 -1 0
16. S'derland 1 0 0 1 1-2 -1 0
17. West Ham 1 0 0 1 1-2 -1 0
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18. Burnley 1 0 0 1 0-1 -1 0
19. C. Palace 1 0 0 1 0-1 -1 0
20. B'mouth 1 0 0 1 1-3 -2 0
