Andros Townsend has admitted he has seen positive signs in Tottenham’s performances all season, but revealed he was particularly encouraged by one aspect of his former team’s display at Chelsea.

Spurs’ performances have been getting better each week since the start of the season, and that has now translated into results, with the Lilywhites picking up back-to-back wins against Coventry City and Chelsea.

The table now suddenly looks a lot better for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, who find themselves just three points behind sixth place.

A potential challenge for European qualification suddenly looks well within reach within the Lilywhites’ reach, particularly given the kind of control they are exhibiting in and out of possession.

Andros Townsend impressed with how Tottenham controlled counter-attacks against Chelsea

Townsend admitted that he has been impressed with Spurs’ pressing structure from the start of the season, even when results were not going their way.

The former Spurs winger revealed that he was particularly impressed with how dominant the North Londoners were against Chelsea and how they limited the Blues’ counter-attacking opportunities.

Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club about Tottenham:

“From the eye, I think their press has been good all season and that hasn’t been the worry.

“Whether it’s been Dominic Solanke, Savio or Omar Marmoush, they have been pretty aggressive in their starting positions and winning the ball back.

“The biggest difference against Chelsea was how well they kept the ball and limited counter-attacking opportunities. You can see some improvements from their first game to now with how Roberto De Zerbi has got them playing.”

Spurs’ defensive improvements are going under the radar

While Tottenham’s defending has left a lot to be desired on a few occasions this season, they have quietly shown some significant improvements defensively over recent weeks.

Spurs have conceded just four goals in their last six Premier League games, and they are also not giving up too many chances. Just look at the xG stats as proof! Only four teams have a lower xG conceded ratio than the Lilywhites, despite Spurs spending much of the season down the bottom of the table.

Roberto De Zerbi himself praised his side for not conceding any counter-attacks against Coventry, pointing out that Frank Lampard’s men hardly had any shots.

The Italian said last week: “The Coventry style of play is 80 per cent counter-attack, and we didn’t concede any counter-attacks. We conceded one shot.”