Tottenham sign off from fortress White Hart Lane with another win
Sunday 14 May 2017 22:17, UK
Tottenham have signed off from White Hart Lane with a first-ever undefeated season at home in the Premier League.
Sunday's 2-1 triumph over Manchester United, which saw Mauricio Pochettino's men outplay the visitors for long periods, was a fitting finale to the 118-year-old ground and underlined Spurs' success on their own patch this season.
Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane took Tottenham to a club record-equalling 14th consecutive home win in league competition, while their Premier League record at the Lane this season reads: P19 W17 D2 L0.
Tottenham are the only Premier League side to pull off an undefeated season at home in 2016/17. In fact, Bradford City are the only other club in the top four tiers to achieve the feat.
The last time Spurs went unbeaten at home for an entire league campaign was in 1964/65.
As well as going undefeated, Tottenham also conceded the fewest goals and kept the most clean sheets of any home team in the Premier League this season. Without doubt, Spurs' form in their final season at White Hart Lane has been the foundation of their impressive campaign.
"It's easy to see why they play well at home," explained Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp. "They make the pitch small when they haven't got the ball and they make it big when they have. They've got great width in the team with the full backs and they've got top class players.
"They defend brilliantly as well. They're so well organised. They know when to press, when to stop other teams playing. They're a joy to watch at home. Their home form has been great to see."
Tottenham's supporters made themselves heard throughout the final fixture and Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness reckoned it was the best atmosphere he'd ever experienced at White Hart Lane.
"It was easily the best," he said. "The supporters should be like this every week with the team they've got now!
"I think this is the best Tottenham team I've ever seen. They've got a bit about them in every department. They'll take you on physically, they're a good football team and they've got some very special players. Going forward, in theory, they should only get better."
The focus will now turn to the future, and with Spurs' new stadium still under construction, they will play the 2017/18 season at Wembley.
Spurs' record at the national stadium hasn't been good in recent years. Since Wembley reopened in 2007, Tottenham have won just one of nine fixtures there, most recently suffering an FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Chelsea in April.
They've also endured disappointing Champions League and Europa League nights at the venue this season.
It's an issue they will have to address if they are to mount another title challenge next year.
"We hear a lot about it not being very good for us but what happened in the Champions League wasn't about playing at Wembley, it was about our own performance," Dele Alli told Sky Sports. "It's an unbelievable stadium, we've just got to make sure we feel comfortable there.
"Next season it's going to be our home for a year, so we've just got to make sure it will be as much of a fortress as White Hart Lane has been."
