Can the Spurs challenge the Big Four??

The English Premiership has just turned a week old with nearly all the teams having played three fixtures. If you have a look at the table what do you see? Surprise Surprise, Tottenham Hotspurs are leading the table (albeit on goal difference). So, here's the question that we are asking today, "Can the Spurs be a threat to the Big Four this season?"

They won their opening match of the season by beating a full strength Liverpool, then notched up a huge win at Hull before taking the three points at West Ham also. The magnitude of this achievement is seen properly when you see that it took them 11 matches (in 08-09), 13 matches (in 07-08) and 9 matches (in 06-07) to reach this tally of points. These three wins so early and emphatically have seen them make their best ever start in 49 years.

The star performer so far has undoubtedly been Jermain Defoe, whose goal scoring prowess was never under doubt. He has scored 4 goals which includes a hattrick against Hull wherein he simply tortured Turner and co. Sebastian Bassong, who did impress in his time at Newcastle, started his London adventure with the winner against Liverpool and looks to be a permanent fixture in the Spurs' backline this season. Palacios and Modric have immense quality and have combined well so far.

Harry Redknapp's pedigree as a manager is surely impressive. He took over a flagging and relegation threatened Portsmouth and not only kept them in the top flight but also took them to FA Cup glory against the mighty ManUtd.

But are we getting ahead of ourselves? Hull were bound to be tortured and the West Ham was not all too convincing. With Birmingham being the next fixture, one can expect them to keep up their hundred per cent record but the real test comes after that as they face Man Utd and then Chelsea. Their defence is still suspect with King not young any more and Gomes continuing with his circus antics. Most of all, it is their inherent ability to surprisingly self-destruct time and again which is the biggest cause of worry for them.

I, personally would love it if we finally have a serious challenge from the "others" in the league, especially if it dislodges Arsenal or Liverpool. What do you think?