It would be easy and understandable to think that everything has changed for Tottenham.
After months of buccaneering football, blossoming new signings and a steady accumulation of points, the past week has brought defeats, injuries, selection headaches and a sense of dejection.
The trouble is Spurs are a victim of their own recent success. When Harry Kane left, there was panic in some quarters. Who’s going to score the goals? Why haven’t we signed more players? Why haven’t we got rid of the dead wood?
Despite all these questions, the players available got on with it and made it work, and they are simply going to have to do it all over again.
Once again, there are questions. Who can replace James Maddison’s creativity? How do they ensure the defence stays solid? What’s the right combination in midfield?
Ange Postecoglu has earned the right to be trusted to find the answers himself. He has done it before: moving Son Heung-min in from the left wing, promoting Pape Sarr to starter and throwing Destiny Udogie right in at the deep end.
A few weeks at the top of the table has shown Tottenham fans what is possible this season, but many of the facts here haven’t changed at all.
They remain an under-resourced team compared with almost everyone around them. They remain full of talented players and managed by someone who has already shown real flexibility and imagination this season.
They have responded to profound change before. They will do it again now and will need to keep doing it all season if they are to compete at the top.
This Tottenham revolution – if indeed it is a revolution – will never be allowed to stand still.
(BBC Sport)