Watford’s stunning start to the season hit a new high as they made it four successive Premier League wins with a shock 2-1 success against Tottenham on Sunday.
Having fallen behind to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s 54th-minute own goal, Watford responded impressively, recovering to claim the points through headers from Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart.
It remains to be seen how long Javi Gracia’s third-placed side can remain among the upper echelon, but this win confirmed they are currently there on merit.
They have won their first four league games for the first time since 1988, and remarkably sit level on points with leaders Liverpool and second-placed Chelsea heading into the international break.
Having beaten Brighton, Burnley and Crystal Palace in their opening three games, this was Watford’s first test against a top-six side.
Tottenham arrived with an unbeaten record of their own to protect, having won 3-0 at Manchester United in their previous league game.
But Watford rose to the challenge to secure a first league win against Tottenham since 1987 – underlining their status as the league’s surprise package.
For Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, this was a concerning defeat.
The result means his side have lost early ground to their main rivals, and the way his side was overpowered during the final half-hour was alarming.
Had Harry Kane not sent a late headed chance over the bar, Pochettino would have considered a draw to be reasonable reward against obstinate opponents.
Defeat, though, highlighted Tottenham’s lack of cutting edge, with Lucas Moura the only player to consistently threaten, while the manner in which they conceded was cause for concern.
Pochettino made three changes to the side that won so convincingly at Old Trafford.
Michel Vorm deputised for Hugo Lloris, the goalkeeper and captain who was ruled out with a thigh problem, while defenders Ben Davies and Davinson Sanchez came in for Danny Rose and Eric Dier.
Initially, though, Spurs’ problems appeared to lie further up the pitch during a laboured first half – not that Watford displayed much attacking threat of their own in the first half.
There was a much greater sense of urgency after the break – initially from Tottenham, with Moura and Christian Eriksen at the forefront of their improved efforts.
Christian Kasabele’s poor clearing header allowed Moura the opportunity to collect the ball on the right-hand side of the box, and drill in a cross that deflected off the back-tracking Doucoure and past keeper Ben Foster.
At that point, there seemed little chance that Watford’s dismal record against Spurs was about to change.
FT | #watfordfc2-1 @SpursOfficial
WHAT A WIN!!!!! COME ON!!!! #WATTOT
Listen live ⤵️ https://t.co/GtJifEzTES pic.twitter.com/F9DcdpGVXU
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 2, 2018
Gracia’s side, though, have already demonstrated commendable resilience this season, and the way they responded confirmed their growing stature.
For the first time in the game they applied sustained pressure, and were unfortunate not to equalise when Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld headed Deeney’s cross against bar and post.
Spurs were rattled, and confirmation the balance of the game had shifted came in the 69th minute when Deeney headed home from Jose Holebas’ free kick.
Then seven minutes later, Pochettino’s side were unable to deal with another set-piece when Cathcart met Will Hughes’ corner to head past Vorm.
FULL-TIME Watford 2-1 Spurs
The Hornets come from behind to extend their perfect start to FOUR matches - Troy Deeney & Craig Cathcart with the goals #WATTOT pic.twitter.com/EyaJi2Ka7K
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 2, 2018