Spurs have won eight of their last 10 games in all competitions and suffered just one defeat during that period - at the Etihad last month

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been pleased with the character shown by his squad since the 4-1 loss at Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a three-goal thrashing at the Etihad on December 16 with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne on target before the in-form Raheem Sterling grabbed a late brace.

Christian Eriksen pulled one back in stoppage time, but it was a poor performance from the north Londoners and yet they’ve responded in the right fashion.

Spurs have won five of their last six in all competitions to move back up to fifth and now trail Liverpool and Chelsea, in joint-third, by only three points.

Pochettino said: “Against Manchester City, the defeat was tough because they were so clinical. It wasn’t a bad game, but they were and still are in an amazing moment.

“From then on it was so important we worked hard and tried to keep going to show we can win games and fight for big things.

“So, yes the character is so important when you receive this type of defeat because you need to stand up and start to win again and I am so happy and so pleased with the character and the personality of the players.”

Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Everton last weekend, thanks to a Harry Kane brace and Heung-min Son and Christian Eriksen goals, sent a small warning to the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

The Reds responded with a fine 4-3 victory at home to runaway leaders City the following day, but Antonio Conte’s team could only draw 0-0 with Leicester City before Spurs had kicked-off at 5.30pm on Saturday at Wembley.

Arsenal also suffered another defeat on Sunday – 2-1 at AFC Bournemouth – which sees them five points away from Tottenham and a further eight off Chelsea, in fourth, and Liverpool.

Spurs will hope matchday 23 in the Premier League turns out to be a pivotal weekend, even if Liverpool’s impressive win over City maintained their excellent run of form.

When reflecting on the 4-0 win over Everton, Pochettino said: “I’m so happy because these three points give us belief and confidence because of our position in the table.

“It’s so close now between us, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and we know we have the possibility to fight for a place in the top-four, which is our challenge and target.”