Don't look back in Ange(r) - injuries are taking their toll on Spurs

We all remember them. Those very first relationships of ours were when we were still teenagers and felt butterflies running circles in our stomachs. Surprisingly, it was much different than anything we experienced before. It was sweet, pulsating, inspiring...

It didn't last for long.

Their destinies seemed to have been written even before they actually started, and almost every single one took a U-turn at some point, rather sooner than later. We learned that true life is more than kisses, smiling, and lots of creativity and goodwill. Obstacles come at you fast, and those charming ties between us are too weak to survive the avalanche of reality.

Just like Ange Postecoglou's Spurs.

Villans take advantage of Spurs' depleted roster and reach the Champions League zone

No, we're not using any illegal substances - thanks for asking - nor are any of us here at Mozzart Sport Kenya fans of Tottenham Hotspur. Still, it doesn't prevent us from drawing parallels between Angeball and those sweet memories.

At this point, it's blatantly clear, isn't it - the disappointing 'break-up' is as inevitable as it gets after three consecutive losses have almost tarnished all previous excitement and joy. Initially, we refrained from making long-term plans and judgements based on two or three dates. But as time went by, and the innocent encounters became more and more promising - just like the story developing between us - we couldn't avoid but to notice those tiny hopes inside us growing day by day before finally saying it out loud - maybe this is the one!

But then, the real life knocked on our doors. Once, twice, thrice...

And the magic was gone.

Title dreams shattered for Spurs, as new long-term injuries are revealed

In the love affair between Ange and Spurs - which attracted everyone's attention after the North London side took the Premier League by storm in the opening ten rounds - the stone in the shoe that triggered the decline were those damn injuries.

One by one, Postecoglou's humble warriors have been forced out of action, leaving their until-recently powerful army almost deserted. First among equals, James Maddison, that finest Ange's violin, is sidelined just when the Australian boss of Greek origins needs him the most. And he's followed by the absence of Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Micky van de Van, Manor Solomon, and, after the latest tie which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Spurs against Aston Villa, Rodrigo Betancur. Along with the suspensions of Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero, that's the list of eight first-team players unavailable for critical games such as the ones against Chelsea, Wolves, and the Villa mentioned above.

Postecoglou makes jokes even when things are off: Apart from chocolate, I’m pretty good at not giving into temptations

'Could they go all the way?' was almost immediately replaced by the lament for another missed opportunity, as Tottenham are 'back where they belong'.

But is this Spurs' story predestined to be without a happy end? Probably, yes.

However, one should not neglect the significance of the attempt itself, as it shook the entire Premier League for some time and showed us that even after your biggest star (Harry Kane) is gone, you can still play a joyful game and make everyone fell in love with football again.

Postecoglou: It's not about making a short-term impact

Even for a short period, even without the silverware in the end. So, as those two Manchester City fans used to sing in the late 90s - there's no reason to look back in Ange(r).

PREMIER LEAGUE - Matchday 13

Saturday

Manchester City - Liverpool 1-1 (1-0)

/Haaland 27 - Alexander-Arnold 80/

Burnley - West Ham 1-2 (0-0)

/Rodriguez 49 pen - O'Shea 86 og, Soucek 90+1/

Luton - Crystal Palace 2-1 (0-0)

/Mengi 72, Brown 84 - Olise 75/

Newcastle - Chelsea 4-1 (1-1)

/Isak 13, Lascelles 60, Joelinton 61, Gordon 83 - Sterling 23/

Nottingham - Brighton 2-3 (1-2)

/Elanga 3, Gibbs-White 76 pen - Ferguson 26, Joao Pedro 45+4, 58 pen/

Sheffield United - Bournemouth 1-3 (0-2)

/McBurnie 90+7 - Tavernier 12, 51, Kluivert 45+3/

Brentford - Arsenal 0-1 (0-0)

/Havertz 88/

Sunday

Tottenham - Aston Villa 1-2 (1-1)

/Lo Celso 22 - Torres 45, Watkins 61/

Everton - Man.Utd. 0-3 (0-1)

/Garnacho 3, Rashford (p) 56, Martial 75/

Monday

23.00: (2.55) Fulham (3.35) Wolverhampton (3.05)

***odds are subject to change