Spurs yet at their best but back on track

November was blue and turbulent. The month of Christmas appears to be a different story though. For the second time in four days, Tottenham dug deep and somehow found the way to win. They were nowhere near playing the style of football they want to, but the resilience they have rarely shown this season is enough to please the fans, when picking up victories is the main priority after the disastrous defeat to Manchester City.

Still scrappy

Lloris (yellow) dipping form is worrying

As a team, Spurs again looked very flat. From time to time, it seemed Sunderland wanted the game more than Spurs did. While winning the majority of possession, the ball was not moved quick enough. Nacer Chadli was not creating much but was a liability in defence. His failure to impose pressure on Ondrej Celustka indirectly led to the goal, although it was Hugo Lloris who cheaply mishandled the cross that allowed Adam Johnson score. The French goalkeeper has not recovered since returning from international duty.

Although dominating the early second half, they failed to kill the game off. Jermain Defoe and Paulinho had several opportunities. Better luck or finishing would have saved their manager some scare in the final minute of the match. It has been individual brilliance that won them two straight victories, but not quite the well-worked goals they have invested heavily for.

Moussa Dembele

Despite not scoring many, he has quietly established as an integral part of AVB's midfield. The all-rounded Belgian covers a lot of ground and times his run into the box to perfection. Although single-footed, his dribbling is first-class, also thanks to his strong upper body. There are not many individuals who can shake off the challenge of the like of Wayne Rooney and Jozy Altidore. His bursting run beat another strong man Jack Colback and led to John O'Shea's own goal. Tottenham midfield looks completely different without Dembele.

O'Shea (right) in despair when Dembele celebrated the winning goal

He did the subs right

Andre Villas-Boas' tactics at Etihad Stadium was questionable. Tonight, his in-game changes worked well. Sandro might have been sent on only because of Dembele's injury, but it was when Spurs needed a defensive midfielder the most. Sandro was always the first to break Sunder land's counter attacks and protect the back. His aerial ability was also invaluable in defending set pieces. His controversial handball could have changed the results. After all, he did his job in his twenty minutes.

Three games in a row, Andros Townsend came in as a substitution. It is logical for AVB to use the exciting young star sensibly, who had not made a single Premier League start before this season. Townsend's speed is a nightmare to defenders late in the game, which offers AVB an impactious option on the bench.

Man of the Match

I go for Lewis Holtby. He has made no direct contribution to the victory, only to blame Defoe for the below-par finishing, but he did exactly what the fans love, and also what AVB exactly needs. Sitting behind Defoe, his creativity might not be those of a natural playmaker, but his coverage area was sensational, always trying to make himself available for passes, also constantly applying pressure to the opponent defenders with ball in feet. He might not be AVB's first choice midfield in the long run when Christian Eriksen is fit, but Holtby was the key to help Tottenham pick up six points in four days.

Who's next?

They might still have not fired all the cylinders. The bright side is they are not that far off the pace for Champions League football yet. Three point away from second place, their next opponent Liverpool, a third successive league victory could mean they have finally set things straight. Despite the red hot Luis Suarez, Spurs still have a decent chance at home as Gerrard and Sturridge are destined to miss the game. Jan Vertonghen's ankle recovery progress could be vital, while AVB would be grateful the mid-week Europa fixture is only a formality, as Tottenham has already qualified for second round.