Tottenham saw off Manchester City but can they win the title? Jamie Redknapp, Martin Keown and Chris Sutton give their verdict

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Tottenham’s impressive 2-0 victory against Premier League pacesetters Manchester City on Sunday showed that Pep Guardiola’s side aren't invincible. 

Our experts Jamie Redknapp, Martin Keown and Chris Sutton discuss whether this is the turning point in Spurs’ pursuit of the title — and what it means for City. 

Dele Alli celebrates scoring his side's second goal in Sunday's victory over Manchester City

Where did that win come from?

Jamie Redknapp: It didn’t surprise me. I didn’t like the team Pep Guardiola picked. I felt without Kevin De Bruyne in the Manchester City side, Spurs could press them high up the pitch. 

They tried to do the same thing to Liverpool but couldn’t get near them for most of the game. City also don’t play well when they partner Fernando and Fernandinho in midfield. 

It was the perfect storm for Spurs, but take nothing away from them. To win so comfortably without Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele is seriously impressive.

Chris Sutton: It wasn’t an enormous surprise. In recent weeks Tottenham have hit their stride. And Celtic were brave against City in midweek, pressing them high up the pitch. 

That’s what Mauricio Pochettino has done since he’s been at Spurs. His side put City under pressure and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Martin Keown: It’s been coming. They were the only two unbeaten teams. Tottenham are playing with such confidence — they are a very well-oiled machine. 

Their defence is very solid and playing a high line works well. The wingers bomb forwards. Son Heung-min has come on really well and is taking his opportunity. It shows there has been good work in training. 

Tottenham have hit their stride in the past few weeks and are playing with confidence 

Pochettino has his team playing with a high level of intensity, unity and confidence

What does the result tell us?

Sutton: City can be beaten. A month ago there was talk about them going the whole season unbeaten. It also tells us that Tottenham are serious contenders. 

On Sunday they were without Kane and Dembele, and Eric Dier was on the bench — it just shows their strength in depth. 

To go toe to toe with City takes courage and confidence. It wasn’t just the result that was so impressive but the manner of their victory. It was a near-perfect performance.

Redknapp: Once again, Tottenham are a top-four team and they have a great balance to their side. 

They are young, hungry, and with Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko, they have thickened up their squad with powerful players. They are no longer reliant on the same players week in, week out.

Keown: It tells us a little bit about Manchester City. It shows their vulnerability. All did not look well at Swansea, but they got the result. Then they shipped goals for fun in the 3-3 draw at Celtic, which gave Spurs confidence. 

Mauricio Pochettino has added depth to an already strong squad - including Victor Wanyama

So, are Tottenham the real deal?

Redknapp: They are. Spurs are a serious team now. They are full of good young players and this is Tottenham’s time. 

They shouldn’t fear anybody — in fact it’s the other way round. Nobody wants to play under pressure. When their opponents make mistakes, Tottenham will win the ball high up the pitch and reap the benefits.

Keown: We will only know that if they win the Premier League. Until the final fence last season, Tottenham demonstrated they were equipped to challenge — now they have shown City this title is by no means theirs.

Sutton: At the moment, yes. They were the real deal last season but didn’t get themselves over the line. The challenge for this season was to show more consistency. 

They seem every bit as good as last season — if not better. But when you look at the money City and Manchester United have spent and the improvement Liverpool have made, it will be even harder this season.

Spurs have the right mix of youth and experience to challenge for the title

Where will they finish?

Redknapp: Tottenham, Liverpool and City are the three best teams in the League. We’ll find a winner from those. There is such a long way to go but this has been a dream start for Spurs. 

Don’t underestimate what that does for their belief. They comfortably beat the team that everyone thought were going to walk away with the title.

Sutton: With United spending big and Guardiola (right) arriving at City at the start of the season, I thought it might be tough for Spurs to finish in the top four. I thought United would finish second but they have so much improvement to make. 

Tottenham look streets ahead. I’m a big fan of Pochettino. He gave Dele Alli a chance last season as a 19-year-old, when a lot of managers wouldn’t have had the courage or insight. 

He is building a young, exciting, energetic team who I think will finish in the top four. Can they push City? On Sunday’s evidence I’d think so, but I still think City will win the league.

Keown: At the start of the season I said they would finish in the top four and I stand by that.

Pochettino's men have made a statement but Pep Guardiola's team are still the ones to beat

What is their key strength?

Sutton: They are defensively stingy — just three goals conceded in their first seven games — and if you want to win trophies, you can’t afford weaknesses at the back.

Toby Alderweireld was a brilliant signing and he has formed an exceptional partnership with Jan Vertonghen. It’s great to be slick with the ball but Tottenham are slick without it.

Keown: Their strength is their balance. The shape of their team gives them a really good platform from which to attack. They have pace in wide positions, their full backs push on and the two central defenders are really comfortable in possession. And they’re doing this without Kane!

Redknapp: Their back four. There is much to admire about Tottenham but they base their game on two solid centre backs who dictate how they play. If you’re going to press, the back four have to push high and that is organised by the centre backs. 

Their most important player is Alderweireld. He is a brilliant player, organiser and winner, and he has formed an excellent partnership with Vertonghen. Alderweireld is the one player you cannot take out of that side. He, as much as the manager, has made Tottenham a serious side again. 

Toby Alderweireld has brought both solidity and control to the team's back four

What is their main weakness?

Keown: Without Kane, are they strong enough in that central area? Tottenham will attack you from all angles but they look a little short in that central position. Son has started well but Vincent Janssen doesn’t quite look ready for the Premier League.

Sutton: It’s hard to look at Spurs at the moment and say there is a weakness. We saw Tottenham pipped to second place by Arsenal last season. The challenge for Pochettino is whether Spurs can go up a level and show consistency. 

I wonder whether they are going to get it from Sissoko. He downed tools at Newcastle last year but Tottenham need him to replicate his fine performance against City all season.

Redknapp: I’m not saying they are the perfect team but I can’t see any weakness. They have learned a lot from their mistakes last year. If Leicester won the League last year, why can’t Spurs this time? 

New signing Vincent Janssen is yet to show he can act as sufficient cover for Harry Kane

Where does this leave City?

Keown: Wounded. It’s a large slice of realism. This is still a work in progress for Guardiola. He wants his team to pass their way out of trouble and it will have annoyed him that they are not well enough equipped to do that. 

The draw at Celtic will have given teams in the Premier League a light at the end of the tunnel. It demonstrated a weakness and that invincibility disappeared.

Redknapp: It’s a reality check. Guardiola has done a great job — he’s got them fitter — but they are not the invincibles. 

Teams are going to ask a lot more questions of City by pressing them, although Manchester United tried to press them but couldn’t get the ball off De Bruyne and David Silva. 

At White Hart Lane it was like watching a Manuel Pellegrini team and if Guardiola plays that side again he will have problems. He needs to get Ilkay Gundogan fitter and De Bruyne back from injury. They have it all to do but are still the favourites.

Sutton: The likes of Liverpool and Arsenal will know that if they are courageous enough, they have a chance. Pep will know what’s coming. I don’t think he will change the way City play but they have to be better on the ball. 

Defensively they take risks and can be exposed. But I still think they will win the title. Pep has come over here to win the Premier League and the Champions League. City have still made an unbelievable start and the manager won’t be panicking.

Sergio Aguero (left) and Fernando were a picture of dejection after Sunday's defeat

Guardiola attempts to motivate his players after the final whistle at White Hart Lane