It was a summer of peaks and troughs for Tottenham supporters.
Once the disappointment of failing to land either Julian Nagelsmann or Arne Slot wavered, genuine excitement emerged regarding the club's long-term outlook with Ange Postecoglou at the helm. The Aussie's arrival was complemented by the surefire addition of James Maddison, as well as a new number one in Guglielmo Vicario and partner for Cristian Romero in Micky van de Ven.
Spurs had seemingly done plenty of good in Ange's first transfer window, but the departure of Harry Kane, whose future was up in the air throughout the summer, had the potential to undermine the initial promise. For many, Brennan Johnson, while a nice coup in isolation, wasn't enough to make up for the exit of their all-time record goalscorer. Some bemoaned a lack of depth in key positions, too, once the transfer window slammed shut.
Despite these gripes, the Big Ange train has continued to churn at the start of 2023/24. The formative period of his tenure was expected to be a struggle given the wild stylistic shift and his previous slow starts in Scotland and Japan.
On the contrary, not only have Spurs started brightly under their loveable new boss, they've enjoyed their best-ever start to a Premier League season.
Why Tottenham's record-breaking start bodes well for Champions League hopes
When Yves Bissouma was rightfully dismissed for simulation against Luton on Saturday, it appeared as if bad karma was striking the Lilywhites to subdue Ange's magical start. An unprecedented VAR blunder helped them to three points against Liverpool the week prior, and Spurs should've been at least 3-0 up by the time Bissouma received his marching orders.
After securing such a huge win against Jurgen Klopp's Reds, any typical Spurs side from yesteryear would've succumbed at Kenilworth Road, especially with ten men. Instead, though, another sequence of Maddison majesty ensured the visitors grabbed the lead they deserved as Van de Ven converted from the Englishman's cut-back cross.
Against a pretty dire Luton outfit, Spurs, now a side boasting defensive stability in the absence of Eric Dier, saw out the remaining 40 or so minutes to earn all three points and ensure their start under Ange was a record-breaking one.
They sit top of the Premier League through eight games having amassed 20 points at this stage for the first time ever. It's also their best start to a league season since their double-winning campaign of 1960/61.
Can Tottenham win the Premier League?
Spurs' excellent start bodes well for the rest of the season, and while many believe a title challenge is beyond Ange's youthful outfit, history says they may be in with a shout. 28 teams have notched 20 or more points through eight games in Premier League history and 11 of these have gone on to win the title.
Crucially, their record-breaking start has considerably boosted their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League. The Premier League's top five could progress into next season's competition depending on co-efficient rankings, but history would suggest the Lilywhites have a great shot of making the top four.
93% of teams to record 20+ points through eight games have ended the season in the top four. Newcastle in 1994/95 (6th) and Aston Villa in 1998/99 (6th) are the only two teams who failed to do so.
Every Premier League team to record 20+ points through eight games
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This article was originally published on 90min as Why history is on Tottenham's side after record-breaking 20-point haul.
