IN THE HUNT ...BUT NEVER TOP DOGS

WHERE it went right – and wrong – in the title race for Tottenham in the past three seasons...

2017-18

FIRST NINE GAMES: 20 points from a possible 27 to put them in a promising position, joint second and five points behind Manchester City.

NEXT SIX GAMES: Five points from a possible 18 saw them slip to joint sixth, 18 points off leaders City.

FINAL TABLE: Finished third, 23 points behind champions City.

2016-17

FIRST SEVEN GAMES: 17 points from a possible 21 saw them in second place, one point behind Manchester City. NEXT EIGHT GAMES:

Ten points from a possible 24 meant they dropped to fifth, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea. FINAL TABLE:

Finished second, seven points behind Chelsea.

2015-16

FIRST FOUR GAMES: Three points from a possible 12 landed them in 16th position, already nine points off pacesetters Manchester City.

GAMES 22-34: 32 points from a possible 39 saw them move to within five points of the top, chasing down leaders Leicester.

FINAL FOUR GAMES: No wins and just two points from a possible 12 saw Leicester finish 10 points clear.