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IT has been quite a month for Tottenham Hotspur’s 20-year-old Argentine defender Juan Foyth.

So assured was he in a 3-1 League Cup victory at West Ham United, his first appearance of the season, that he was rewarded with a first Premier League start a few days later and conceded two penalties in a 3-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retained for the game against Crystal Palace, he was outstanding on a wet night in south-east London, scoring a headed winner.

With Jan Vertonghen still injured and question marks over Davinson Sanchez’s hamstring ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Chelsea, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino would have no qualms about thrusting Foyth into the derby.

The only sticking point could be his late arrival back from Argentina, along with teammates Erik Lamela and reserve goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, but whether or not he plays, Foyth’s breakthrough says much about the club’s philosophy. If they inflict a first league defeat on Chelsea this season they would move above Maurizio Sarri’s side into third spot.

Once again, Argentine Pochettino, deprived of the huge transfer kitty available to the other clubs battling for the top four, is proving adept at unearthing gems.

Pochettino has built his career on trusting young players and Foyth’s emergence is the latest example of why the former Espanyol and Southampton manager is so valued at Spurs, who are juggling the costs of a yet-to-be-completed £800million stadium and staying competitive on the pitch.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Foyth after the 2-0 friendly win over Mexico on Friday and acknowledged the part Pochettino had played in the defender’s development in London.

If selected, Foyth will face a stern test against a Chelsea side who have made a mockery of a so-called twohorse title race between champions Manchester City and Liverpool.

The only other Chelsea team to start a Premier League season 12 games unbeaten were Jose Mourinho’s 201415 title winners. Despite that, and the sizzling form of Eden Hazard, Chelsea are still challenging just under the radar, although a win at Tottenham’s temporary Wembley home might even convince the understated Sarri that his side can make a run for the title.

City, leaders by two points from Liverpool, have not conceded an away league goal since August and will expect to come away from their visit to a struggling West Ham side unscathed, having won 4-1 at the London Stadium last season. Liverpool, also unbeaten, are at seventh-placed Watford while Arsenal, in fifth spot three points behind Tottenham, face a trip to the south coast to face Eddie Howe’s impressive Bournemouth side on Sunday.

Eighth-placed Manchester United have had two weeks to stew over their derby defeat at City and will be eager to make up ground when they host lowly Crystal Palace. | Reuters AFTER the international break, Cape Town City swing back into action with an away game against Polokwane City on Tuesday. The Citizens are in great form at the moment, having reeled off two successive wins – 3-0 over AmaZulu and 3-1 against Black Leopards – and they are keen to maintain their dash up the PSL standings..

As it stands on the log, Orlando Pirates and Wits are the pacesetters at the top, on 23 and 20 points respectively, while Polokwane are in seventh (18 points) and City in eighth position (13 points).

City are fully aware they are in for a really tough, competitive outing against a Polokwane side that has earned praise for their committed and inspired performances this season. The fixture is scheduled for the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

“It’s a difficult away game on a surface that requires a bit more concentration,” said hardworking midfielder Thabo Nodada. “Polokwane are playing really well this season and their league position is a reflection of that – but we’ve got to keep the momentum we’ve built and give it a go. We have had enough time to prepare for them and I’m sure we will be ready to take all three points on Tuesday night.”

Nodada is an influential member of the City squad. His unselfish work in the heart of the midfield is an integral part of how the Cape side operates. In fact, the 23-year-old’s animated performances have been so good that he has even caught the eye of the Bafana Bafana selectors. Nodada was in the South African national football squad for the two qualifiers against the Seychelles last month, but missed out for the recent games against Nigeria and Paraguay. Nodada, though, will keep working hard; he is still young, still honing his craft, and he will get another national opportunity.

But, having watched Bafana face Nigeria and Paraguay, Nodada,

was impressed with the work of his club captain, Thami Mkhize. The right-back was impressive for Bafana – and Nodada is confident Mkhize will continue to set the example when City return to league action next week.

“Thami (Mkhize) was solid as always,” said Nodada about his City teammate and captain. “I thought he gave very good cover to both his centre-back and winger. He was always providing an extra man in attack and on occasion had chances to get a crack at the keeper. It was another motivating performance from the skipper.” | LIVERPOOL have made their joint-best start to a Premier League campaign since it was launched in 1992, but manager Jurgen Klopp sees no reason why they cannot improve further heading into the packed English festive fixture schedule.

The unbeaten Merseyside club are second after 12 matches on 30 points, two behind champions Manchester City. Klopp, however, has demanded more from his players as they look to deliver a first piece of silverware at Anfield since the League Cup triumph in 2012.

“We can improve ... we have to and we will,” the German said at a gala dinner in support of the LFC Foundation.

“But between our best football and now, we have to win football games. That’s how it is and that’s what we’ve done already.”

At this stage last year, Liverpool had already lost two league games and were fifth in the standings, but a string of assured defensive displays have ensured they are one of three clubs still unbeaten along with City and Chelsea.

“There’s absolutely no reason for criticising the boys, they do a really good job,” the manager added.

“So many things are better than last year: defending is better, set-pieces are better; we are much more mature in games, game management is better. So many things are better.”

Liverpool have struggled to rediscover their spark in Europe, however, with away defeats in the group stage. | Reuters