Tottenham are the league's perennial under-achievers but with Chelsea floundering and Manchester United out of sorts in front of goal, the Lilywhites must now step up

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With Chelsea floundering in 15th in the Premier League, and only Arsenal and Manchester City hitting the high notes, Tottenham Hotspur have the chance to make a surge on the top four.

Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs have somewhat fallen under the radar this season after an uninspiring start to their campaign, in which they collected just three points from their opening four matches.

But after getting over their August blues, the Lilywhites returned from the early September international break rejuvenated and ready to show that they are the Champions League candidates so many believe they should be.

With big teams floundering Tottenham Hotspur have the chance to make a surge on the top four

Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs have somewhat fallen under the radar this season after an uninspiring start

Earning a gritty first victory through a late Ryan Mason goal away at strugglers Sunderland was just what Spurs needed to kick on.

Having played five league games since then, they remain unbeaten with a stellar defensive record.

And they are sitting pretty in the club form guide - based on the last six matches - with 14 points and four wins, just second best to north London rivals Arsenal.

Indeed, while the likes of London foes West Ham United have been grabbing the headlines with a number of giant killings, Spurs have been going about their business, ironing out their early-season woes with well-constructed performances, and now sit in sixth with 17 points, just four off Manchester United in fourth, and with a game in hand.

Throughout the years Spurs have periodically become the laughing stock of the division for their seemingly innate ability to throw away points in the most unceremonious of fashions, with football fans given blasé license to pass it off as 'same, old Spurs.'

Having recruited Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid in the summer, Spurs look an impermeable unit

The emergence of Eric Dier as a ball-playing defensive midfielder has been a revelation at White Hart Lane

But Pochettino has steadily been developing a solid core at White Hart Lane and a good proportion of Spurs fans are now quietly confident that their youthful outfit have the ability to kick on.

In captain Hugo Lloris, Spurs have one of the top 10 goalkeepers in the world between their sticks, and having recruited centre half Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid in the summer to partner Belgium international team-mate Jan Vertonghen, the team are now a far more impermeable unit - they have let in just eight league goals, with City and United the only clubs to match them.

On top of that, the emergence of Eric Dier as a ball-playing defensive midfielder has been a revelation alongside 19-year-old Dele Alli, who impressed Roy Hodgson to such an extent last month that the England manager awarded him his first two England caps against Estonia, and then Lithuania.

Dele Alli was awarded two England caps against Estonia, and then Lithuania, by Roy Hodgson

Exactly one year ago on Monday, star striker Harry Kane scored a memorable 89th minute free-kick winner away at Aston Villa -  a moment which cemented his name as a Spurs fan favourite - and since then his value has gone up tenfold, and his status solidified as one of the hottest properties in the game.

After going through a relative lean patch at the beginning of the season, a goal in Spurs' superb 4-1 home victory over league leaders Manchester City preceded a hat-trick away at Bournemouth last weekend and another goalscoring run this year could see Spurs take fourth position, especially with Manchester United falling away from the pack.

Harry Kane netted a hat-trick against Bournemouth and another good run could see Spurs take fourth position

A goal in Spurs' superb 4-1 home victory over league leaders Manchester City ended a lean patch for Kane

Tottenham need to banish the bitter memories of 2012 in which, despite finishing fourth in the league, sixth-placed Chelsea took their Champions League place having won the competition on a night then-Spurs manager Harry Redknapp described as one of the worst in his footballing life.

By instead drawing on the scenes from five-and-a-half years ago, when Peter Crouch netted an unforgettable header at Eastlands to send Tottenham into the Champions League for the first time ever, Spurs fans can inspire their new-look team to reach for the glittering heights, and lose their status as the perpetual hard luck story of the year.

By drawing on the scenes from five-and-a-half years ago, , Spurs fans can inspire their new-look team

Tottenham need to banish the bitter memories of 2012 in which Chelsea took their Champions League place