Tottenham’s goal difference paints a strange old picture for Ange Postecoglou

Only five clubs in the Premier League have a better goal difference than Tottenham Hotspur this season – a baffling stat when you consider just how chaotic things have been in north London.

There’s plenty one could point to when looking at what’s gone wrong for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur this campaign.

The injury crisis that wiped out over half of Postecoglou’s first-team squad for a lengthy period is clearly one of the biggest factors in the collapse.

Then there’s Postecoglou himself. For all the plaudits he earned in his first season at Hotspur Way, his lack of tactical adaptation in certain games has cost Spurs dearly.

Too often he’s been outmanoeuvred by managers of sides both above and below him in the Premier League table.

Tottenham’s Premier League goal difference looks great

However, despite how poor Spurs have been for large spells this season, they somehow find themselves ranked amongst the best in one very specific metric.

With Tottenham currently languishing in 14th, it may surprise some to learn that only five teams have a better goal difference in the Premier League. Postecoglou’s side sit on +13, having scored 58 goals and conceded 45 across their 31 matches.

Only Liverpool (+42), Arsenal (+30), Chelsea (+17), Manchester City (+17) and Nottingham Forest (+14) are ahead of them in this department.

What Spurs goals and stats say about their Premier League season

Spurs are actually level with Newcastle United, who sit fifth, in terms of goal difference – both sides on +13. On the surface, it paints a picture of a team that should be performing far better than 14th in the standings.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	31	22	7	2	72	30	42	73
2	ArsenalArsenal	31	17	11	3	56	26	30	62
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	31	17	6	8	51	37	14	57
4	ChelseaChelsea	31	15	8	8	54	37	17	53
5	NewcastleNewcastle	30	16	5	9	52	39	13	53
6	Man CityManchester City	31	15	7	9	57	40	17	52
7	Aston VillaAston Villa	31	14	9	8	46	46	0	51
8	FulhamFulham	31	13	9	9	47	42	5	48
9	BrightonBrighton	31	12	11	8	49	47	2	47
10	B’mouthBournemouth	31	12	9	10	51	40	11	45
11	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	30	11	10	9	39	35	4	43
12	BrentfordBrentford	31	12	6	13	51	47	4	42
13	Man UtdManchester United	31	10	8	13	37	41	-4	38
14	TottenhamTottenham	31	11	4	16	58	45	13	37
15	EvertonEverton	31	7	14	10	33	38	-5	35
16	West HamWest Ham	31	9	8	14	35	52	-17	35
17	WolvesWolves	31	9	5	17	43	59	-16	32
18	IpswichIpswich	31	4	8	19	31	65	-34	20
19	LeicesterLeicester	31	4	5	22	25	70	-45	17
20	SouthamptonSouthampton	31	2	4	25	23	74	-51	10

But numbers don’t lie, and Tottenham conceding 45 goals and losing 16 of their 31 matches tells its own story. Inconsistency has plagued their campaign, and it’s ultimately what’s cost them.

Still, if there’s one positive to hold onto, it’s the fact they know how to score. Only Liverpool have a better goals-per-game ratio – Arne Slot’s side are averaging 2.3 per match, while Spurs come in at 1.9.

• READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou reveals the one Tottenham argument he can never win