Tottenham Hotspur recorded an impressive 4-1 win at Watford on Sunday that sent them above Manchester City on goal difference and into the top four of the Premier League.
An injury-weakened Watford side put up little resistance as two goals by Harry Kane and another from Dele Alli gave Spurs a 3-0 half-time lead.
Alli scored again early in the second half before manager Mauricio Pochettino took off his scorers ahead of the match against leaders Chelsea at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.
Younes Kaboul smuggled home Watford’s injury-time reply with their only shot on target.
Chelsea are 10 points ahead of Pochettino’s men, but Spurs will remember all too well that it was at Stamford Bridge that their title hopes were finally ended last season.
Chelsea played above themselves to deny their North London rivals the win they needed to maintain their pursuit of Leicester City.
Now Tottenham will be keen to end Chelsea’s bid for a record 14th successive victory.
If that promises to be one of the matches of the season, the New Year’s Day game at Vicarage Road was more like a light training exercise in comparison.
Watford have now lost five of their past seven matches and never looked likely to get anything from this match.
